Jay Schneider, a longtime Chester County resident and a former skeptic about voting security, has dedicated his time as a poll worker to ensure election transparency.
According to Newsweek, Schneider began working at the polls in 2022, driven by questions about vote-counting processes that surfaced during the 2020 presidential election.
Schneider, a registered Republican and now judge of elections in Chester County, recalls being troubled by the surge in mail-in ballots, a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which amplified his doubts about the system's reliability.
The initial concerns that motivated Schneider to volunteer, however, have shifted. With experience at the polls, he now sees the inner workings of the election process as highly transparent, at least within his county.
As Election Day approaches, Schneider notes that many voters, particularly Republicans, continue to question the integrity of vote-counting processes. A recent poll by The Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research indicates that only one-quarter of Republicans nationwide express strong confidence in the country’s vote counting. However, more Republicans place their trust in local election officials, like Schneider, with half indicating confidence in the accuracy of municipal vote-counting efforts.
Schneider’s evolving views reflect this trend. He explains that while he once held suspicions about voting procedures, his on-the-ground experience has reassured him of Chester County’s transparency. Describing the checks and balances in place, Schneider emphasized:
Here at the polls, we have Democrats and Republicans. Do you think one’s going to let the other get away with something? No. That’s the same thing at the county, plus everything is videotaped. You as a resident can just walk in here and watch things happen. It’s not hidden in any way.
Despite Schneider’s assurances, concerns over voter fraud continue to reverberate throughout Pennsylvania. Last week, officials flagged thousands of potentially fraudulent voter registration applications in two counties, spurring former President Donald Trump to amplify claims of election fraud in the state. Although no evidence suggests these applications will lead to illegal votes, the allegations have renewed doubts among some voters.
In light of these developments, Schneider has made efforts to better understand different voting methods. He cast his vote by mail this year, he says, to gain firsthand insight into the system’s functionality and ensure the front-end process aligns with what he sees at polling stations. Describing the election atmosphere as unpredictable, Schneider observes that early voting participation is high, and he anticipates a busy day at the polls.
Schneider’s team will begin its Election Day at 5 a.m., preparing the Caln Township building to serve local voters. With coffee in hand, Schneider and his colleagues will set up designated voting areas and check voting machines regularly to maintain accuracy. The team’s preparations include color-coded binders, which provide step-by-step instructions for handling various voter situations, including provisional ballots.
With extensive planning underway, Schneider feels confident about Chester County’s voting procedures. This year, his team will use a voting machine that eliminates the need for hand-counting ballots, making it easier to cross-check votes with voter records throughout the day. According to Schneider, the additional staff, including a Democrat and a Republican at the machine, reinforces the integrity of the process.
For me personally, I know it’s legit. And talking to the county and other people that do the same job has everybody confident about what’s happening here, at least in Chester County. I don’t feel that there’s any issues here. I hope there aren’t any anywhere else.
Pennsylvania, as the fifth-most populous state, carries significant weight in national elections with 19 electoral votes. In a tight race between Republican frontrunner Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, pollsters suggest that the winner of Pennsylvania could have a 90% chance of winning the presidency.
For Schneider and his team, Election Day is not only about facilitating the vote but also about demonstrating that election procedures can be trusted. His journey from skeptic to election advocate reflects a broader need for transparency to build voter confidence in an era where allegations of fraud are common. As Pennsylvania’s critical election unfolds, Schneider remains focused on providing a secure voting experience, drawing on his hands-on knowledge to reassure voters. By opening polling processes to public observation and maintaining bipartisan oversight, he hopes to inspire trust among voters both within and beyond Chester County.
