Washington, D.C. – Today, nine Pennsylvania Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives signed a letter urging Attorney General Shapiro to recuse himself from all legal challenges to the official results of the 2020 presidential election in Pennsylvania.

Congressmen Fred Keller (PA-12), Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15), Mike Kelly (PA-16), John Joyce (PA-13),
Scott Perry (PA-10), Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), Dan Meuser (PA-09), Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) signed the letter, which highlights the conflict of interest created by Attorney General Shapiro’s dual role as political candidate and a neutral arbiter.

On the letter, Congressman Keller made the following statement:

“The citizens of the United States, not media outlets, determine the outcome of elections. With recounts and legal challenges expected, we must let the process play out. Count every legal vote.”

 

The letter attached 11.07.20 PA Delegation Wolf Shapiro Boockvar Letter, reads as follows:

Dear Governor Wolf, Attorney General Shapiro, and Secretary Boockvar:

As Members of the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation, we greatly understand that when a legislative body creates law, the duty of an administration is to faithfully execute the law. However, we are deeply concerned with how the Commonwealth has handled the general election.

From last minute guidance provided to the counties on the eve of the election, to the Attorney General playing dual roles as a political candidate and legal arbiter with a vested personal interest, to volunteer legal observers being prevented from having access to vote counting locations, we believe these conflicts and irregularities have greatly eroded public trust in the Commonwealth’s electoral system.

The citizens of the Commonwealth do not just expect free and fair elections, they deserve free and fair elections.

We believe that every legal vote should be counted, and it is compulsory for the Secretary of the Commonwealth to discount any votes that do not meet the letter of the law. On Friday, November 6, United States Supreme Court Justice Alito issued a temporary order requiring election officials to segregate ballots received after 8 p.m. on election day. While Secretary Boockvar has indicated this has already been occurring in Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, there has been little evidence to support these statements.

This uncertainty follows guidance issued to the counties on the eve of the election instructing them to disclose to party operatives individual information associated with rejected mail-in ballots, in an attempt to have corrections made, which is in direct conflict with Pennsylvania election law. We believe that in order to faithfully execute the duties of the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth it is incumbent upon Secretary Boockvar to follow the law.

Statements made by Pennsylvania’s Attorney General, including social media posts calling the outcome of the election, prior to the tabulation of a single vote, are troubling and highlight the Attorney General’s inability to maintain impartiality and to separate his sworn duties from his political desires. We believe that due to this conflict, the Attorney General must recuse himself from all future election proceedings and appoint an impartial designee moving forward.

As many of these issues will now be addressed by the United States Supreme Court, we remain concerned about the integrity of the election and continued attempts by the administration and its officials to put their thumbs on the scale in pursuit of what they believe should be a preordained outcome. These actions continue to chip away at the foundation of our representational democracy and challenges the citizens of Pennsylvania’s faith in their government. We implore you to put politics aside and provide these requests all due consideration.

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com

As of 11:55 a.m. no new cases added Saturday in Lycoming County remains at 1,064 cases, no new deaths, 32 total deaths, with 16,617 negatives according to DOH report.

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19:

Highest Daily Increase of 4,035 Additional Positives Brings Statewide Total to 227,985

Record High Testing of Over 50,000 PCR Tests

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., November 7, that there were 4,035 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 227,985. This is the highest daily increase of cases.

The most accurate daily data is available on the website, with archived data also available.

The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between October 31 and November 6 is 310,410 with 18,433 positive cases. There were 50,471 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., November 6. This is a record high number of PCR test results reported to the department.

There are 9,015 deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 40 new deaths reported. County-specific information and a statewide map are available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard.

Mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home. Consistent mask-wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19.

There are 5,180 individuals who have a positive viral antigen test and are considered probable cases and 646 individuals who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure.

There are 2,426,121 individuals who have tested negative to date. Of those who have tested positive to date the age breakdown is as follows:

• Approximately 1% are ages 0-4;
• Approximately 2% are ages 5-12;
• Approximately 5% are ages 13-18;
• Nearly 14% are ages 19-24;
• Approximately 36% are ages 25-49;
• Approximately 21% are ages 50-64; and
• Nearly 21% are ages 65 or older.

There are 1,597 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 345 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. More data is available here.

The department has seen significant increases in the number of COVID-19 cases among younger age groups, particularly 19 to 24-year-olds. An alert was sent to healthcare providers about the changing COVID-19 case demographics. Increases among 19 to 24-year-olds from April to present in November are available below:

• NC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to approximately 23 percent of cases so far in November;
• NE – 6 percent of cases in April to 14 percent of cases so far in November;
• SE – Nearly 5 percent of cases in April to 11 percent of cases so far in November;
• SW – Approximately 5 percent of cases in April to 10 percent of cases so far in November;
• NW – Nearly 7 percent of cases in April to nearly 11 percent of cases so far in November; and
• SC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to 9 percent of cases so far in November.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 27,333 resident cases of COVID-19, and 5,849 cases among employees, for a total of 33,182 at 1,115 distinct facilities in 63 counties. Out of our total deaths, 5,906 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.

Approximately 12,883 of our total cases are among health care workers.
The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
• Clean surfaces frequently.
• Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
• If you must go out, you are required to wear a mask when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.
• Download the COVID Alert PA app and make your phone part of the fight. The free app can be found in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store by searching for “covid alert pa”.

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics

• Daily COVID-19 Report
• Press releases regarding coronavirus
• Latest information on the coronavirus
• Photos of the state’s lab in Exton (for download and use)
• Coronavirus and preparedness graphics (located at the bottom of the page)
• Community preparedness and procedures materials

All Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to sign up for AlertPA, a text notification system for health, weather, and other important alerts like COVID-19 updates from commonwealth agencies. Residents can sign up online at www.ready.pa.gov/BeInformed/Signup-For-Alerts.

The office of Pennsylvania Speaker of the House Bryan Cutler provided the following regarding the letter issued to Governor Wolf earlier today. Included is a video conference with State Senator Jake Corman and House Speaker Cutler outlining the full audit of the General Election.

HARRISBURG – As counties across Pennsylvania continue the work to count and certify election results, concerns over the process continue to grow. Today, Pennsylvania Speaker of the House Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) sent a letter to Gov. Tom Wolf requesting a full audit be completed before the certification of any results.

In the letter Cutler cites actions taken by the state Supreme Court and the Department of State that have created confusion for county election officials, and actions believed to be in violation of the federal Constitution.

“The uncertainty surrounding these interventions has cast an unnecessary cloud on the election process,” Cutler wrote in the letter. “That invites our people to question the results, regardless of which candidate or party may prevail.”

Cutler explains an audit is needed because of a litany of inconsistencies as a result of court actions and Department of State guidance, including the dismissal of signature requirements for mail-in ballots, certain counties allowing for curative measures, counties not following the United States Supreme Court ruling requiring ballots received after election day to be segregated, and more.

Cutler added, “We must take every possible step to ensure that all Pennsylvanians and all Americans know that our Commonwealth has conducted the General Election with integrity.”

Speaker Bryan Cutler
100th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Speaker Bryan Cutler Video with Senator Jake Corman

This is a developing story on Talk Williamsport.com

Pennsylvania Speaker of the House Bryan Cutler issued a scathing letter regarding “manifested issues which cannot go overlooked” on Friday afternoon to Governor Tom Wolf.

TalkWilliamsport.com obtained a copy of the letter which requests a “full audit of the 2020 General Election prior to the certification of any results.”

 

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

BREAKING NEWS: Bryan Cutler, Speaker of the House in Pennsylvania just issued a letter to Governor Wolf for a “full audit of the 2020 General Election prior to the certification of any results.”

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

Twenty One (21) new cases added Friday in Lycoming County now at 1,064 cases, no new deaths, 32 total deaths, with 16,617 negatives according to DOH report.

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19:

Highest Daily Increase of 3,384 Additional Positives Bring Statewide Total to 223,950

Record High Testing of Over 49,500 PCR Tests

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., November 6, that there were 3,384 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 223,950. This is the highest daily increase of cases.

The most accurate daily data is available on the website, with archived data also available.

The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between October 30 and November 5 is 301,056 with 17,690 positive cases. There were 49,528 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., November 5. This is a record high number of PCR test results reported to the department.

There are 8,975 deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 38 new deaths reported. County-specific information and a statewide map are available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard.

Mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home. Consistent mask-wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19.

There are 4,743 individuals who have a positive viral antigen test and are considered probable cases and 646 individuals who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure.

There are 2,408,366 individuals who have tested negative to date. Of those who have tested positive to date the age breakdown is as follows:

• Approximately 1% are ages 0-4;
• Approximately 2% are ages 5-12;
• Approximately 5% are ages 13-18;
• Nearly 14% are ages 19-24;
• Approximately 36% are ages 25-49;
• Approximately 21% are ages 50-64; and
• Nearly 21% are ages 65 or older.

There are 1,599 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 351 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. More data is available here.

The department has seen significant increases in the number of COVID-19 cases among younger age groups, particularly 19 to 24-year-olds. An alert was sent to healthcare providers about the changing COVID-19 case demographics. Increases among 19 to 24-year-olds from April to present in November are available below:

• NC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to approximately 20 percent of cases so far in November;
• NE – 6 percent of cases in April to approximately 13 percent of cases so far in November;
• SE – Nearly 5 percent of cases in April to nearly 11 percent of cases so far in November;
• SW – Approximately 5 percent of cases in April to 10 percent of cases so far in November;
• NW – Nearly 7 percent of cases in April to approximately 10 percent of cases so far in November; and
• SC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to nearly 9 percent of cases so far in November.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 27,104 resident cases of COVID-19, and 5,810 cases among employees, for a total of 32,914 at 1,106 distinct facilities in 63 counties. Out of our total deaths, 5,903 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.

Approximately 12,811 of our total cases are among health care workers.

Statewide – The Wolf Administration has since noon, Nov. 5:

• Provided the latest CMU metrics report.
• Announced funding to protect homeless during COVID resurgence.
• Provided Pennsylvania State Police enforcement data.

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
• Clean surfaces frequently.
• Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
• If you must go out, you are required to wear a mask when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.
• Download the COVID Alert PA app and make your phone part of the fight. The free app can be found in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store by searching for “covid alert pa”.

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics

• Daily COVID-19 Report
• Press releases regarding coronavirus
• Latest information on the coronavirus
• Photos of the state’s lab in Exton (for download and use)
• Coronavirus and preparedness graphics (located at the bottom of the page)
• Community preparedness and procedures materials

All Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to sign up for AlertPA, a text notification system for health, weather, and other important alerts like COVID-19 updates from commonwealth agencies. Residents can sign up online at www.ready.pa.gov/BeInformed/Signup-For-Alerts.

By: Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

On Monday, the worst fears of Robert J. Muise, Attorney with the American Freedom Law Center who filed a Complaint on September 3, 2020, against the Wolf administration in federal court in the Middle District of Pennsylvania were realized.

From paragraph #99 of the Complaint:

“The challenged contact tracing program is dangerous. It would permit a desperate and unscrupulous political operative to dampen voter participation in a given district. It would permit a desperate and unscrupulous business owner to stifle competition. Either could falsely and anonymously report incidences of coronavirus without fear of repercussion. Trolls could create chaos. Protesters could trigger panic as a form of civil disobedience. Hostile foreign intelligence operatives could shut down an entire city by falsely reporting COVID-19 infections in every neighborhood. The abuses permitted by granting the government such power are practically without limits.”

Muise, upon reading the Talkwilliamsport.com report he weighed in, “Unfortunately and as we feared, it appears that the contact tracing program is being weaponized by politicians for political purposes.  That is always the risk when the government seeks broad power, but we the people have the Constitution on our side to stop it.”

In a direct response to an exclusive story on TalkWilliamsport.com and questions to Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine in a Monday morning press conference, Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar and Dr. Levine issued the following press release moments ago.

PA Voters In Quarantine Due to a COVID-19 Exposure Should Contact Their County Elections Office to Make Arrangements to Vote  

Harrisburg, Pa.  – Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today reminded Pennsylvanians who are currently in quarantine due to COVID-19 to contact their County Elections Office for an emergency absentee ballot if they were planning to vote in person but now cannot.

“Every Pennsylvanian who is registered to vote will have the opportunity to do so,” Secretary Boockvar said.  “There’s an emergency ballot provision under the law. If you can’t deliver your own balloting materials you can assign a designee to do that for you.  And if you can’t find a designee, the law actually requires the county election office to have a Sheriff’s Deputy or some county official to deliver the balloting materials for the voter.”

“Pennsylvanians can vote safely, even if you are in isolation or quarantine because you have COVID-19 or have been exposed to it.” Dr. Levine said. “If you are not quarantined and plan to vote in person, make sure you add your COVID kit to your voting plan. This includes a mask, a black or blue pen, hand sanitizer and the COVID Alert app on your phone.”

Polls are open tomorrow from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters can find their polling place on the Department of State’s voting website, votesPA.com.

Any voter who has received but not yet returned their mail ballot should do so immediately by hand-delivering it to their county election office, satellite election office or other designated drop-off location. Voted mail ballots will not be accepted at polling places.

Voters must make sure that they enclose their mail ballot first in the white inner secrecy envelope and seal it, then insert the inner envelope into the outer pre-printed return envelope, and sign and complete the voter’s declaration on the outer envelope. Voters must complete all these steps for their ballot to be counted.

Under Pennsylvania law, voters may only return their own ballots. The only exceptions to this are for voters with a disability who have designated someone in writing to deliver their ballot, or for voters who need an emergency absentee ballot.

Voters who applied for and receive a mail ballot and then decide they want to vote at the polls on Election Day can change their mind, but they should bring their mail or absentee ballot and the outer ballot envelopes to be voided by the poll worker. They may then vote on their county’s voting system.

If a voter applies for a mail ballot but does not return it and does not bring the mail ballot and envelopes with them, they may still vote by provisional ballot at the polls on election day. Their county board of elections will then verify that they did not vote by mail before counting their provisional ballot.

For more information on voting and elections in Pennsylvania, call the Department of State’s toll-free hotline at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) or visit votesPA.com.

 

Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar has scheduled a press conference for Tuesday morning to discuss the general election.

On Monday, April Hutcheson, Director of Communications for the Department of Health provided the following information relating to those in COVID-19 quarantine who would like to vote.

“Erie News did a story on how people who are in quarantine or diagnosed with COVID-19 can vote on election day.  It includes statements from DOS Secretary Boockvar that clearly outlines how someone in quarantine can indeed vote.”  

“Additionally, Stephen Caruso of Penn Capital Star reported in August about the quarantine letter and posted a copy on his twitter.”  Here is a link. “As you can see, the quarantine letter has not changed.”

Talkwilliamsport.com also inquired on the RFP process on how the new software being used in the contact tracing program was arrived upon.

Hutcheson added, “Here is the eMarketplace announcement from July 23 about the contact tracing management system that was built on the Salesforce platform.”

Here is a link:

 

LOCAL REACTION STORIES STREAM IN

During the Normal America and Pennsylvania Patriots Radio 24-hour pre-election special a number of leaders in the state weighed in with narratives of their efforts to ensure those in quarantine due to a COVID-19 exposure making arrangements to vote.

Dr. Davis Haire, Wyoming County GOP Chairman, shared a story from Monday when an attorney representing the county he works in; went to local county court to obtain four emergency absentee ballots in and around the same time the joint press release was issued by Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine.

Upon obtaining the four emergency absentee ballots for those Wyoming County residents who recently tested positive for COVID-19; Dr. Haire, went onto describe a story of having a ballot delivered to a resident 20 plus miles one way in his county. The process undertaken allowed the person to complete the ballot and the subsequent process to return it to voter services so it could be counted.

Lycoming County Coroner Charles Kiessling in the overnight hours from Monday into Tuesday shared an updated way that residents in quarantine due to a COVID-19 exposure can vote.

TalkWilliamsport will continue to update this story as Election Day 2020 unfolds.

Photo: Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar

By: Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

According to an internal document provided to Wendy Bell by an anonymous whistleblower, the following is a new directive of the PA Department of State:

“Ballots that lack a postmark or other proof of mailing, or for which the postmark or other proof of mailing is illegible, are presumed to have been mailed by Tues., Nov. 3, 2020, and are valid and must be counted, unless a preponderance of the evidence demonstrates that the ballot was mailed after Nov. 3.”

This information appears under the paragraph, “Other than ballots falling into one of the categories set forth above, mail-in and civilian absentee ballots that comply with the Election Code and the Department’s prior guidance shall be canvassed as follows:” 

This revelation came from a Canvassing-Segregated-Ballot-Guidance titled:

“CANVASSING SEGREGATED MAIL-IN AND CIVILIAN
ABSENTEE BALLOTS RECEIVED BY MAIL AFTER 8:00 P.M. ON
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2020 AND BEFORE 5:00 P.M. ON
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2020
Date: November 1, 2020
Version: 1.0”

Does Version: 1.0 mean there is a chance to change the guidance on or after Election Day?

According to the anonymous whistleblower, “Not one county in PA is doing things the same way with regard to ballots. The Department of State issues new guidance almost daily and has made it virtually impossible for everyone to stay up to date on the most current guidance.”

On Monday Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine were sent scrambling when TalkWilliamsport.com posed the question regarding Pennsylvania voters in quarantine due to a COVID-19 exposure.

Both Wolf Administration cabinet holders issued a joint press release.

PA Voters In Quarantine Due to a COVID-19 Exposure Should Contact Their County Elections Office to Make Arrangements to Vote  

Harrisburg, Pa.  – Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today reminded Pennsylvanians who are currently in quarantine due to COVID-19 to contact their County Elections Office for an emergency absentee ballot if they were planning to vote in person but now cannot.

“Every Pennsylvanian who is registered to vote will have the opportunity to do so,” Secretary Boockvar said.  “There’s an emergency ballot provision under the law. If you can’t deliver your own balloting materials you can assign a designee to do that for you.  And if you can’t find a designee, the law actually requires the county election office to have a Sheriff’s Deputy or some county official to deliver the balloting materials for the voter.”

The full press release is available here.

Former U.S. Attorney and U.S. Congressman for (PA-12) Tom Marino, offered this assessment of this situation in real time last evening on PA Patriots radio; “It’s outrageous! To me, it wreaks of a scheme to rig the election and that’s why we have to have so many people watching at the polls no matter where it’s at in this country. But, what the democrats are scared to death about this election.”

Marino added, “It’s the U.S. Attorney’s responsibility. We are assigned that, to assist as the position that we hold in each part of the state to make sure that if there is something that appears illegal then we as U.S. Attorneys we’re suppose to right there and moving forward with it, if we come to the conclusion that it is clearly illegal and fraudulent.”

Under the heading “Canvass Procedures”, the guidance goes onto state, “County boards of elections are instructed to maintain separate counts for each of the following categories of ballots: (i) ballots with a postmark on or before November 3, 2020 which are counted; (ii) ballots without a postmark (or with an illegible postmark) which are presumed to have been mailed prior to Election Day and which are counted; and (iii) ballots without a postmark (or with an illegible postmark) which are determined by a preponderance of the evidence to have been mailed after Election Day and which are not counted.”

Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar has scheduled a press conference for Tuesday morning to discuss the general election.

In a direct response to an exclusive story on TalkWilliamsport.com and questions to Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine in a Monday morning press conference, Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar and Dr. Levine issued the following press release moments ago.

PA Voters In Quarantine Due to a COVID-19 Exposure Should Contact Their County Elections Office to Make Arrangements to Vote  

Harrisburg, Pa.  – Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today reminded Pennsylvanians who are currently in quarantine due to COVID-19 to contact their County Elections Office for an emergency absentee ballot if they were planning to vote in person but now cannot.

“Every Pennsylvanian who is registered to vote will have the opportunity to do so,” Secretary Boockvar said.  “There’s an emergency ballot provision under the law. If you can’t deliver your own balloting materials you can assign a designee to do that for you.  And if you can’t find a designee, the law actually requires the county election office to have a Sheriff’s Deputy or some county official to deliver the balloting materials for the voter.”

“Pennsylvanians can vote safely, even if you are in isolation or quarantine because you have COVID-19 or have been exposed to it.” Dr. Levine said. “If you are not quarantined and plan to vote in person, make sure you add your COVID kit to your voting plan. This includes a mask, a black or blue pen, hand sanitizer and the COVID Alert app on your phone.”

Polls are open tomorrow from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters can find their polling place on the Department of State’s voting website, votesPA.com.

Any voter who has received but not yet returned their mail ballot should do so immediately by hand-delivering it to their county election office, satellite election office or other designated drop-off location. Voted mail ballots will not be accepted at polling places.

Voters must make sure that they enclose their mail ballot first in the white inner secrecy envelope and seal it, then insert the inner envelope into the outer pre-printed return envelope, and sign and complete the voter’s declaration on the outer envelope. Voters must complete all these steps for their ballot to be counted.

Under Pennsylvania law, voters may only return their own ballots. The only exceptions to this are for voters with a disability who have designated someone in writing to deliver their ballot, or for voters who need an emergency absentee ballot.

Voters who applied for and receive a mail ballot and then decide they want to vote at the polls on Election Day can change their mind, but they should bring their mail or absentee ballot and the outer ballot envelopes to be voided by the poll worker. They may then vote on their county’s voting system.

If a voter applies for a mail ballot but does not return it and does not bring the mail ballot and envelopes with them, they may still vote by provisional ballot at the polls on election day. Their county board of elections will then verify that they did not vote by mail before counting their provisional ballot.

For more information on voting and elections in Pennsylvania, call the Department of State’s toll-free hotline at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) or visit votesPA.com.

By: Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

Talkwilliamsport.com spoke exclusively to a whistleblower who works in the Covid-19 contact tracing program.

“Pennsylvanians are receiving letters from the Department of Health to quarantine for 14 days, for those who may have been in contact with a person with a COVID-19 positive test result.

The letters fail to provide any guidance on how to vote in-person.”

When asked how the Pennsylvania Covid-19 contact tracing program operates? The whistleblower responded:

“It is not being done in good faith.”

Specifically, residents in Dauphin, Lebanon and York counties have been receiving letters to this effect due to local government mandates requiring a written notification from the Department of Health.

Residents in other counties contacted TalkWilliamsport.com over the past week saying they received phone calls from the DOH as well as contact tracers to remain quarantined for at least 14 days.

TalkWilliamsport.com has obtained copies of the scripts Contact Tracers are currently using and this question appears in the script. Note that the script is version #11 and is in current use.

QUARANTINE

“Because you <or minor> came in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, you <or minor> will need to quarantine for 14 days since your <his/her/their> last encounter with that person. Your <his/her/their> quarantine will be from now until <last date of the monitoring period>.”

ACCEPT

“This official quarantine order on behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Health means you <or minor> need to remain in your home away from others, except if you <he/she/they> need to seek medical care. There may be
exceptions to this order if you are designated as a health care worker or a critical infrastructure worker.
You <or minor> may go in your yard only if you <he/she/they> can stay at least 6 feet from your neighbors.

If you live in an apartment, you <minor> may not leave, because you cannot be in the common areas of the building
where others might be, such as the elevator or hallway.

People who have been in contact with you <or minor> do not have to quarantine.

However, if you live in a household with other people try to maintain a distance greater than 6 feet and wear a mask whenever possible.”

 

REFUSE

“The Department of Health is required to send you an official letter. We will send the letter to you by email. Can you verify this is your email?”

If email cannot be obtained: “We can send the letter by mail. Can you verify your address?”

If contact says they have tested negative for COVID-19 and therefore don’t think they need to quarantine:

“Even if you <or minor> tested negative, it is still possible for you <him/her/them> to present positive results within a 14-day period. Given that you have <or minor has> been in contact with someone who has COVID-19, it is very important that you <or minor> quarantine and keep track of how you’re <they’re> feeling in case you <or minor> develop(s) any symptoms.”

End call and make notes.

Inform district resource account/checkbox to send letter.”

CT Script V11 10-22-20

 

TalkWilliamsport.com has also obtained a letter from a resident in one of the previously noted counties from July outlining what could occur in a quarantine non-compliance situation.

 

 

BACKGROUND

On August 3, 2020, it was announced the Pennsylvania Department of Health awarded a $23 million contract to Insight Global to provide 1,000 paid contact tracing staff to help fight Covid-19.

According to an article published by StaffingIndustry.com:

“Across Pennsylvania, we have dedicated public health professionals who truly are the backbone of contact tracing, and this expansion of the contact tracing team will only support, strengthen and expand their efforts,” Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said.

Insight Global will work with the department to recruit, interview, hire, train and support contact tracers, contact tracer supervisors and care resource manager positions. All positions will be remote.

Hourly rates for these jobs will range from $18 to $22 for contact tracers and from $22 to $24 for both contact tracing supervisors and care resource managers. Positions will be both full-time and part-time.

The statement of work that was negotiated is for up to 1,000 staff for a five-month contract, although the purchase order is stretched over a 12-month period. This will allow Pennsylvania to add, maintain and subtract the amount of staff needed to support contact-tracing efforts.

Recruitment will be focused on workers who lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 crisis.

Pennsylvania already had 654 contract tracers across the state prior to the hiring of the 1,000 under the Insight Global deal.

 

From the DOH website:

The Department of Health, in partnership with Insight Global, is recruiting, interviewing, hiring, training, and supporting contact tracers, contact tracer supervisors, and care resource manager positions. Both full- and part-time positions will be offered as needed and will provide ongoing skill development and training for those interested in public health careers. Please find any open contact tracing staff positions below.

Insight Global based in Atlanta, Georgia has three Pennsylvania locations, King of Prussia, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

From the Insight Global website:

HEALTHCARE

Insight Global provides Talent Management Services across all segments of the Healthcare Industry, developing strong client and consultant relationships since our inception.

Government Services

Insight Global actively supports over 400 programs within the public sector, including past performance across all IT, finance, and engineering disciplines with a specific focus on:

• Cyber security network engineering
• Administration applications
• Software development and engineering
• Helpdesk/desktop
• AV/VTC systems engineering

• PMO support
• Finance and accounting
• Mechanical/electrical/maritime engineering
• Intelligence operations
• EMR/EHR implementation, optimization, and support Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Electronic Health Record (EHR)

PROBLEMS WITH THE COVID-19 CONTACT TRACING PROGRAM FROM THE START

The COVID-19 pandemic really came into the forefront in Pennsylvania in March 2020 with massive lockdowns of businesses and schools implemented and codified by Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health, Dr. Rachel Levine.

According to the whistleblower, the impetus for the program was to “reopen the state safely and provide the data to do so, calls were to be made to those in contact with COVID-19 positive cases.”

As of today, that is simply not the case.

“One or two calls are being made on a daily basis and no real work is being done even though the money has already been spent”, the whistleblower added.

“Multiple tracers are in contact with the same case.”

 

SOFTWARE CHANGES CONSTANTLY

With all of the infrastructure (noted above) Insight Global brings to the table with a $23 million dollar contract in hand; have any of the existing models using “EMR/EHR implementation, optimization, and support Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Electronic Health Record (EHR)” been deployed in Pennsylvania?

According to the whistleblower, absolutely not.

Instead the PA Department of Health and Insight Global began using a new platform and recently transitioned to Salesforce.

Salesforce is software that is used as a customer relationship management service.

The whistleblower stated, “the software seems to change weekly due to the issues integrating information from the SARALERT database where people are texting or e-mailing to report symptoms.”

“As software changes, information gets deleted or lost in the transition each time”, according to the whistleblower.

 

QUESTIONS FROM CONTRACT TRACERS CAUSE CONCERNS

The Pennsylvania Department of Health state in its website, “A Contact Tracer Will Never Ask You For: Your personal information”, does sexual orientation qualify as a personal question?

Does the sexual orientation of a five year old child qualify as a personal question or even relevant to COVID-19?

From the TalkWilliamsport.com obtained copies of the scripts Contact Tracers are currently using and this question appears in the script. Note that the script is version #11 and is in current use.

CT Script V11 10-22-20

“In order to be able to follow-up with you and connect you to resources if needed, we have a few questions for you. Some questions might be personal, but it is important information so that we can address health disparities and connect all individuals to the resources they may need.”

According to the whistleblower, “the focus of questions has recently changed to those about sexuality and orientation. The reason being, the DOH wants to see if the LGBTQ community is being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.”

From the DOH script obtained by TalkWilliamsport.com:

“SEXUAL ORIENTATION & GENDER IDENTITY
“I am going to ask you some questions related to your gender identity and sexual orientation.
This information is important to collect as it helps divert resources to vulnerable communities.”
“What is your <or minor’s> gender?
“What is your <or minor’s> sexual orientation?”
“Do you <or minor> identify as transgender?”
Allow the contact to answer questions without reading each option.”

“If contact asks for clarification on why the department is collecting this information or if LGBT people are wary of discrimination or harassment explain that: Collecting this data confirms that there are LGBT people who need healthcare support in Pennsylvania. LGBT activists have advocated for this data collection, because it helps ensure the health and wellbeing of LGBT people.”

If LBGTQ questions are being posed by Contact Tracers, should those of ethnicity or religious affiliation be asked as well?

Why did the Pennsylvania Department of Health and its contractor Insight Global wait until October 2020 to being asking sexual orientation questions when Governor Wolf announced on May 13, 2020 it would be included in COVID-19 data collection?

Whatever happened to the Commonwealth Civilian Coronavirus Corps announced on May 6, 2020 to Support Fall COVID-19 Recovery Efforts?

EXCLUSIVE: Whistleblower sheds light on possible DOH voter suppression effort in Pennsylvania – PART II is forthcoming.