Manual hand count and machine count verify accuracy of results

The Delaware County Bureau of Elections recently completed a successful recount of votes cast during the Nov. 8, 2022 General Election, verifying the official election results reported shortly after Election Day.

The recount was undertaken as part of an agreement with a small group of residents who had filed a petition in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas, seeking recounts in multiple precincts to address their concerns that the vote tallies in Delaware County were inaccurate.

During a hearing held on Nov. 22, before Delaware County Court of Common Pleas Judge Barry Dozor, the petitioners agreed to withdraw their petition—in exchange for which the Board of Elections agreed to conduct a full recount of a single precinct of the petitioners’ choosing; Haverford 2-3 precinct was their precinct of choice.

Conducted at the Bureau of Elections’ offices at the Union Power Plant building in Chester on Jan. 12, 2023, the recount involved seven observers representing the petitioners, eight County workers, and a party leader, and took a little over four hours to complete. 

The recount was first conducted using certified tabulation equipment and then separately, was conducted by hand, allowing the observers to examine every Election Day ballot, absentee ballot, mail-in ballot, and provisional ballot from a distance of two feet.  

The recount provided a 100% verification of the original vote totals for each candidate for the four races on the Haverford 2-3 ballot—including candidates for U.S. Senate, Governor / Lieutenant Governor, the U.S. House (the 5th District), and State House (the 166th District)—inclusive of every Election Day, mail-in and provisional ballot.

“Everything was verified 100 percent,” said Delaware County Director of Elections James Allen. “Every single vote, every single contest, every single over vote, every single under vote, every single write in.”

The successful recount was the latest vindication for the Delaware County Bureau of Elections, which like many election offices across the country in the wake of the 2020 General Election, has faced—and won—numerous lawsuits regarding election results. In all, The County of Delaware has prevailed in over a dozen lawsuits that have been filed in the Delaware County court system since 2020, with cases either dismissed or ruled in the County’s favor. 

“We have now been through six recounts with the current balloting system, two of which included hand recounts,” explained Director Allen. “In all of the recounts, in each and every case, the original results have been confirmed—even a mayoral contest that was decided by three votes.” 

In addition, risk-limiting audits of randomly selected precincts—using manual hand counts of mail-in and/or precinct ballots—are performed after each election in Pennsylvania. These audits have successfully verified the results of each election in Delaware County since the audit process was first implemented in 2020.

“These recounts really underscore not only the professional work being done by our Bureau of Elections under Jim Allen, but also the great work being done by our Delaware County poll workers,” said Councilwoman Christine Reuther, adding “These recounts and risk-limiting audits really demonstrate the accuracy of our processes and demonstrate that our balloting system is accurate and secure.”

The January 12, 2023 recount at the Union Power Plant building in Chester

Delaware County Council Vice Chair Elaine Paul Schaefer, Chief Sustainability Officer Francine Locke, and Capozzoli’s owners Anthony, Michael, and Chris Capozzoli joined Capozzoli’s Courthouse Café Manager John "Hof" Hofmann and members of the staff this week to celebrate the recent greening of Capozzoli’s Courthouse Café at the Government Center in Media.

Over the past couple of weeks, Capozzoli’s has switched to 100% biodegradable takeout containers, recyclable cutlery, reusable bags, and salad containers made from recycled water bottles, while phasing out its stock of traditional plastics and Styrofoam food containers.

The Courthouse Café’ has also stopped using single-use plastic bags and is encouraging patrons to use reusable bags. Spurred by Media Borough’s Ordinance #1155, which prohibits the use of single-use plastic bags and straws in the Borough, the County’s Office of Sustainability and Capozzoli’s engaged in ongoing discussions to ensure compliance with the new ordinance at the Café, which sees an average of 500 customers per day. 

“I’m really proud that our Office of Sustainability and the Capozzoli’s team worked together to bring about this change,” said Vice Chair Schaefer. “Incorporating biodegradable containers instead of Styrofoam and single-use plastic is a meaningful first step toward our zero waste goals and I look forward to continued progress”.

Styrofoam, also known as polystyrene, is non-biodegradable and non-recyclable and takes roughly 500 years to decompose, and the production of the material emits 21 million tons of CO2 is emitted into the atmosphere in the U.S. each year. Capozzoli’s estimates that upwards of 25,000 plastic bags and 22,000 single-use Styrofoam and plastic food containers will be eliminated in 2023, replaced by the new biodegradable materials.

“We’re honestly thrilled to get rid of the Styrofoam and go green,” said John "Hof" Hofmann, Manager of the Capozzoli’s Courthouse Café. “We know that stuff isn’t good for the environment, and we’ve received nothing but positive feedback from everyone who eats here at the Cafe.”

As part of its commitment, Capozzoli’s has purchased and given away over 600 reusable bags to customers (a small fee of a few cents will be charged for the bags for those customers who don’t bring a reusable bag beginning Feb. 1).

Chief Sustainability Officer Francine Locke noted that both the County and Capozzoli’s were eager to do more than the minimal requirements of the ordinance and set a strong example of good sustainability practices.

“Capozzoli’s has been a great partner in this effort, and this is an important first step to moving towards zero waste,” explained Ms. Locke, adding “Our plan is to begin collecting organic materials from the Café and begin composting as early as the fall of this year.”

“Working not only with the County, but with many local colleges and universities, Capozzoli’s understands the importance of sustainability, and we’ve been happy to be on the leading edge of this effort,” explained Michael Capozzoli, Jr. “Now we’re looking to roll out these changes to all of our locations and go completely green with our catering business.” 

More sustainable changes are on the horizon with the drafting of Delaware County’s first-ever sustainability plan. To learn more, visit the Delaware County Office of Sustainability website at delcopa.gov/sustainability.

On January 28, 2022, Delaware County Council launched the Delaware County Weekly, our recurring e-newsletter designed to provide Delaware County residents with timely and insightful news about County-related activities, events, programs, services, job fairs, and more.

This new newsletter has played a key role in delivering on Council’s promise to increase transparency in government and ensure that our residents are well informed and aware of how Delaware County Government is working to serve the community.

With a full year now completed—52 editions, over 500 articles, and 7,600 subscribers and counting—we’re looking to get more feedback from you, our readers, as we head into our second year.

What works? What is interesting to you? What would you like to see more of?

To provide feedback, please email us at AskDelco@co.delaware.pa.us.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Be 'In the Know in Delco'

Do you have friends, family members, neighbors, or co-workers in Delco that might want to be 'in the know in Delco?'

If so, please spread the word about the Delaware County Weekly and let them know they can sign up at delcopa.gov/newsletter. 

The 11th annual Philadelphia Western Suburbs Trail Summit will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Community Recreation and Environmental Center in Haverford. 

The summit will focus on trails and on-street bicycling and pedestrian improvements and plans in Delaware County and the vicinity. It will feature presentations by regional planners, local governments, advocacy groups, and consultants. 

During the summit, presenters will review progress, identify opportunities to improve walking and biking, and prioritize and help plan continuing trail connections in the community. 

The free summit is open to all residents and organizations interested in learning more about trails and open space in Delco. 

Registration is required. To register, visit the Trail Summit registration* page on the Haverford Township Parks & Recreation Department website (linked below).

The Western Suburbs Trail Summit is sponsored by the Friends of Haverford Trails, Haverford Township's Parks and Recreation Department, and Delaware County's Trails Alliance. 

You can learn more about the Philadelphia Western Suburbs Trail Summit on the Friends of Haverford Trails website.

2023 Philadelphia Western Suburbs Trail Summit 

The Community Recreation and Environmental Center (CREC)

9000 Parkview Dr., Haverford, PA 19041

Sat., Feb. 4, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

*If you encounter a problem registering online, you can sign in at the door.

*If you encounter a problem registering online, you can sign in at the door.

Images from the 2022 Philadelphia Western Suburbs Trail Summit presentations

As part of the preparations for Women’s History Month—whose theme is Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories—the Delaware County Women’s Commission is seeking to honor three Delaware County women, representing the past, present, and future, who have devoted their energies and talents to producing art and news, pursuing truth and reflecting society, and whose contributions have helped shape Delaware County.

Storytelling is essential to making the collective history of women in Delaware County visible and accessible, and we want you to help us spotlight these story-telling colleagues, friends, and family members!

Nominees can include writers, editors, bloggers, podcasters, radio and TV personalities, comedians, historians, publishers, actresses, singers, musicians, activists, artists, and creators of all types—anyone who has contributed (or is perhaps just starting to find their voice) in storytelling. 

The Women’s Commission is looking to not only honor established story tellers and those hitting their stride, but also new voices among our young professionals, students, and unheralded members of the community.

Delaware County women can be nominated in one of three categories:

• Woman of Achievement (Future) - Honors a young woman who is making a difference today, all within the context of our theme 
• Woman of Achievement (Present) - Honors a current female visionary leader from our community
• Woman of Achievement Hall of Fame (Past) - Honors the memory of a deceased female leader

Winners will be honored with special recognition during the DCWC Annual Awards Luncheon on March 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Corinthian Yacht Club at 300 W. 2nd Street in Essington.

The deadline for nominations is January 31, 2023.

To nominate someone, please complete a Nomination Submission Online Form (linked below). You will be asked to provide the nominee’s basic information, explain why the person is worthy of special recognition, and include additional information such as a short biography, a photo, etc.

Please email delcowomenscommission@gmail.com with any questions or visit the DCWC web page for more information. Tickets to the DCWC Annual Awards Luncheon are available on the DCWC web page, linked below. 

There are many causes of depression, and a significant contributing factor during the long winter months is Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD. 

If you are feeling down, stressed, unmotivated or just lazy, and the grey weather of winter seems to be pressing in from all directions, you may be experiencing SAD. 

The good news is that there are many simple ways to get your energy back up, including spending time outdoors, spending time with loved ones, or even spending some time alone to meditate — but if these suggestions aren't enough to snap you back it is ALWAYS OK TO ASK FOR HELP!

If you are experiencing a Mental Health crisis or have thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for immediate assistance. If you are in need of medical attention, please dial 911.

For more information on mental health for you are a loved one, please visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website at www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline.

For local information and resources, residents can call the Delaware County Wellness Line at (484) 276-2100 or visit the Delaware County Health Department website at delcopa.gov/health/mentalhealth.html.

The Delaware County Transportation Management Association, in conjunction with the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, will host a webinar on Thurs., Feb. 2, at 9:00 a.m., to discuss updates to the SEPTA Forward Bus Revolution Plan.

SEPTA’s Bus Revolution Project is focused on delivering an easier to use, more convenient and more reliable bus network informed by its riders. The Bus Revolution is a key initiative of SEPTA Forward, SEPTA’s strategic plan, and the Authority’s efforts to revamp its bus service and better connect people across the region. 

After several months of public outreach and commentary, SEPTA's Bus Revolution Team will present proposed changes to their local bus routes based on customer feedback. 

Residents are invited to participate in the Zoom-based webinar for a presentation of the proposed changes to the plan and timeline. 

Registration is required. To register, click the button below. Webinar details will be emailed upon completion of the registration process.

Residents can learn more about the SEPTA Forward Bus Revolution project through the SEPTA website, at septabusrevolution.com, or by phone at (267) 291-6045.

This winter, the Delaware County Library system is providing a variety of great programs for kids and teenagers. 

Here are three fun programs available to young cardholders across the County!

Teen Art Contest

Teens are invited to participate in the 4th Annual Teen Art Contest. Create an original piece of art based on the Longwood Gardens Community Read theme of how 'food is a connector of people' and submit it for judging! Both local library and countywide winners will be awarded prizes!

More info can be found on the Delaware County Library's 2023 Teen Art Contest web page.

2023 Mock Ezra Jack Keats Award

Ezra Jack Keats (1916-1983) was a pioneer in American children’s literature. He based the lives of his multiracial characters on his childhood but added loving parents, friends and pets. He wanted no child to be an outsider. “If we could see each other exactly as the other is,” he wrote, “this would be a different world.”

The annual Ezra Jack Keats Award is a U.S. literary award created to nurture illustrators and writers, early in their careers, who create extraordinary books that reflect our diverse population, the universal experience of childhood, and the strength of family.

This year, the Delaware County Library system wants our kids to have a vote in a "mock" award. Kids can help choose the 2023 Mock Ezra Jack Keats Award winner by reading the nominated titles and voting for their favorite. Find all the details on the library's 2023 Mock Ezra Jack Keats Award web page.

All the Feels: Emojis, Emotions, and Expressing Yourself

Experience all the feels this winter with the current reading challenge! Readers ages 6 through adult will learn about the history of emojis, explore the importance of emotions, and discover fun activities to express yourself fully—all while earning badges on a virtual bingo card and entering to win prizes.

More information about this exciting reading challenge can be found on the library's All the Feels Bingo Challenge web page.

Delaware County is changing the time for the Preliminary Agenda Meetings that are typically held on alternating Tuesdays at 10 a.m. Beginning January 31 and continuing through the end of April, these bi-weekly meetings will be held at 12 noon.

As a reminder, Preliminary Agenda Meetings serve to familiarize County Council, other government representatives in attendance, and the public on matters before votes and other decisions are undertaken by Council during the Regular Public Meetings that are held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month.

County Council meetings are open to the public and Council encourages public participation. 

Meetings are livestreamed for public viewing and are available shortly after the meeting's completion as a recording. Livestreamed and recorded meetings can be viewed at delcopa.gov/meetings.

Delaware County Govt Official 2023 Calendar

Meet your Delaware County Council members

The Delaware County Health Department website