LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) – All Lancaster County commissioners voted in favor of changes to the primary election in an attempt to strengthen election security.
“We have to make sure that the elections, the election equipment, the personnel, the ballots, everything is safe,” Commissioner Ray D'Agostino said.
New IT upgrades will be implemented along with fencing around the government center.
“There have been instances here where people have tried to break in, there has been arson. There have been verbal and physical threats against some of the employees here,” D'Agostino said.
A fenced area encloses the entire building with an overhang. Once installed, it is permanent.
Homeless people are staying under an overhang that also connects to Binns Park and wraps around the side of the building. Now staying there will not be an option for them.
“When Binns Park closed, the Homeless Coalition worked with the people here,” D'Agostino said. “They will continue to do that.”
The Homeless Coalition and Redevelopment Authority responded to the vote in a statement.
“The Lancaster County Homeless Coalition and Redevelopment Authority continues to work with city and county government leaders and partner organizations to address homelessness in Lancaster.”
All upgrades will cost approximately $226,000. D'Agostino said the changes will be implemented immediately. The county expects everything to be ready for the April 23 primary election.
“Given the fact that people are actually voting here right now, and our staff and equipment are right there, the kind of security we're considering in that area of this building is not important. I can't say no. It's important,” D'Agostino said.
