Feb. 27, 2024Sue Dorfman / For VotebeatElections 101: Everything you need to know about Pa.'s voting machines, how the state keeps them safe, and moreby Carter Walker of VotebeatPolitical candidates have spread false claims about Pa.'s voting machines to undermine trust. In reality, these machines undergo several layers of testing to ensure they produce accurate results.
Feb. 21, 2024Matt Smith / For Spotlight PAA deficit of experienced voting officials could mean trouble for Pa.’s 2024 electionby Carter Walker of VotebeatPennsylvania has lost nearly 300 years of election official experience since 2019. The state’s top voting official says this loss is “one of the biggest dangers” to elections.
Feb. 19, 2024Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PAPa. election 2024: The state Senate races to watch as Democrats seek the majorityby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAPolitical insiders told Spotlight PA that only a small number of districts, mostly in Western and central Pennsylvania, are competitive in this year’s state Senate elections.
Feb. 15, 2024Commonwealth Media ServicesTreasurer Stacy Garrity’s decision to invest more Pa. money in Israel Bonds draws protest, Democratic oppositionby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAPennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who is facing reelection this year, bought $20 million in Israel Bonds to show support. Her Democratic opponents question her motives.
Feb. 13, 2024Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PADemocrats maintain control of Pennsylvania House after Bucks County special electionby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PADemocrat Jim Prokopiak, a local school board member, won the special election to succeed former state Rep. John Galloway.
Feb. 12, 2024Leise Hook / For Spotlight PA and VotebeatThis Pa. activist is the source of false and flawed election claims gaining traction across the countryby Carter Walker of VotebeatA Spotlight PA / Votebeat investigation found Heather Honey’s flawed claims have been cited by ex-President Donald Trump and fueled GOP backlash against a tool intended to keep voter rolls accurate.
Jan. 30, 2024Matt Smith / For Spotlight PAHow Spotlight PA will cover Pennsylvania’s 2024 electionby Elizabeth Estrada of Spotlight PAOur coverage of critical races will amplify the facts and context voters will need to make an informed choice in their best interest.
Jan. 16, 2024Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PAPa. election 2024: What is the date of Pennsylvania’s presidential primary election?by Sarah Anne Hughes of Spotlight PAPennsylvania will hold its 2024 presidential primary election on April 23, one of the latest primary dates in the U.S.
Jan. 2, 2024Matt Smith / For Spotlight PAAs 2024 election approaches, voting officials worry Pa. isn’t prepared for misinformationby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAFour officials share the concrete changes they say would shore up Pennsylvania’s system against frivolous fraud allegations as the 2024 election approaches.
Dec. 19, 2023Matt Smith / For Spotlight PAAdministrative election errors rise as Pa. counties struggle to keep voting officialsby Carter Walker of VotebeatElection experts, as well as the Department of State, agree the increase is linked to turnover and loss of experience at local voting offices.
Dec. 15, 2023Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PAShapiro administration cancels $10.7 million contract for Pa. voter roll system upgradeby Carter Walker of VotebeatThe Pa. Department of State has canceled its contract with KNOWiNK for an upgrade to the state voter roll management system. The change will not impact the 2024 election.
Nov. 30, 2023Matt Smith / For Spotlight PACourt ruling on undated ballots brings confusion as Pa. counties certify November election resultsby Carter Walker of VotebeatA federal judge has ruled that Pennsylvania counties should accept undated and misdated mail ballots, but some consider the decision “prospective.”
Nov. 21, 2023Matt Smith / For Spotlight PAPa. counties must accept undated, incorrectly dated mail ballots, federal court rulesby Carter Walker of VotebeatThe ruling found the date a voter writes on a return envelope to be “immaterial” to a ballot’s eligibility. It has the potential to prevent the disenfranchisement of thousands of voters next year.
Nov. 15, 2023Matt Smith / For Spotlight PASpending on Pa. Supreme Court race broke records, set precedent for outside influenceby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA and Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PADemocrat Daniel McCaffery scored a decisive victory over Republican Carolyn Carluccio, buoyed by a rush of last-minute spending on TV ads.
Nov. 9, 2023Hannah Yoon / For Votebeat'Hectic from the get-go': How a new polling place chief in Pennsylvania navigated his first electionby Carter Walker of VotebeatJay Schneider knew Election Day would be tough as a judge of elections. Despite the stress and a few setbacks, he pulled off a smooth experience for voters in Chester County.
Nov. 8, 2023Via candidate Facebook pagesPa. Superior Court election results: Democrats Jill Beck and Timika Lane win open seatsby Katie Meyer of Spotlight PADemocrats Beck and Lane have won 10-year terms on the Superior Court, one of Pennsylvania’s appellate benches.
Nov. 7, 2023Via candidate Facebook pagesPa. Commonwealth Court election results: Democrat Matt Wolf beats Republican Megan Martinby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAWolf, a Philadelphia municipal judge, has won a 10-year term on Commonwealth Court, one of Pennsylvania’s appellate benches.
Nov. 7, 2023Courtesy campaign Facebook pagesPa. Supreme Court election results: Democrat Daniel McCaffery beats Republican Carolyn Carluccioby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAMcCaffery, a Superior Court judge, has won a 10-year term on the state Supreme Court, one of Pennsylvania’s appellate benches.
Nov. 7, 2023Matt Smith / For Spotlight PAVoting machines in Northampton County printed ballots with errors in two judicial racesby Carter Walker of VotebeatOfficials didn’t catch programming errors that caused the flawed printouts in Superior Court retention elections but say correct votes are being recorded electronically.
Nov. 7, 2023Matt Smith / For Spotlight PAWhat time do polls open and close Tuesday in Pa.? All the information you need for Election Day 2023.by Elizabeth Estrada of Spotlight PAPennsylvanians will head to the polls on Nov. 7 to vote in statewide judicial races. Here’s everything they need to know.
Nov. 3, 2023Via campaign Facebook pageWho is Carolyn Carluccio, and what’s at stake in Pa. Supreme Court election 2023?by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA, Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA, and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAA complete guide to the Republican candidate for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Nov. 3, 2023Via campaign Facebook pageWho is Daniel McCaffery, and what’s at stake in Pa. Supreme Court election 2023?by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA, Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA, and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAA complete guide to the Democratic candidate for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Nov. 3, 2023Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PAPa. election 2023: How to vote, where to vote, and everything you need to know for Nov. 7by Elizabeth Estrada of Spotlight PAOn Nov. 7, Pennsylvanians will vote for new judges that will shape the future of the state.
Nov. 1, 2023Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PAWho is Judge Victor Stabile, and what is judicial retention?by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAHere’s what you need to know about Stabile before you consider his retention on the state Superior Court.
Nov. 1, 2023Matt Smith / For Spotlight PAWho is Judge Jack Panella, and what is judicial retention?by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAHere’s what you need to know about Panella before you consider his retention on the state Superior Court.
Nov. 1, 2023Hannah Yoon / For VotebeatWorking the polls cleared up Jay Schneider’s 2020 suspicions. Now he’s taking charge as a judge of elections.by Carter Walker of VotebeatJay Schneider, a first-time judge of elections in Chester County, was skeptical after the 2020 election. But now that he’s seen the process from the inside, he has learned to trust the system.
Oct. 31, 2023Kent M. Wilhelm / Spotlight PAA new Democratic group and one libertarian billionaire are flooding the Pa. Supreme Court race with cashby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA and Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PANearly $13 million has so far poured into the race for a single seat on Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court.
Oct. 31, 2023Daniel Fishel / For Spotlight PAPennsylvania’s voting law is filled with obsolete provisions, troublesome conflictsby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA and Carter Walker of VotebeatPennsylvania’s voting law has not had a comprehensive overhaul since 1937. That’s had consequences for election officials.
Oct. 30, 2023Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PAPa. election 2023: When to expect results, how officials are preparing, and moreby Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAHow quickly Pennsylvania counties can produce election results on Nov. 7 will depend on turnout and the number of mail ballots returned.
Oct. 26, 2023Daniel Fishel / For Spotlight PAPa.’s Election Code is badly outdated. That could have serious consequences in 2024.by Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA and Carter Walker of VotebeatPennsylvania’s voting law contains sections that conflict with one another, provisions that don’t address key legal precedents, and old language that doesn’t reflect how elections are run in 2023.
