Sean Drasher, Lebanon County’s elections director, recounts his experiences overseeing the 2024 presidential election, highlighting the challenges of early voting and the importance of poll workers, particularly student volunteers. He is already preparing for the upcoming municipal elections, urging the community to consider running for local office as a way to engage in civic duties.
Sean Drasher’s journey in election administration began a decade ago when he won an election as a Judge of Elections. Now serving as the elections director for Lebanon County, overseeing 92,000 registered voters, Drasher shared insights into the challenges and victories of managing the 2024 presidential election. During an interview with WITF, he reflected on the demanding four weeks leading up to the election and the chaos of early voting in Pennsylvania. Drasher expressed his admiration for poll workers, particularly students making up ten percent of the workforce, while also highlighting the difficulties posed by long wait times for voters due to an outdated early voting process. Looking ahead, Drasher is already engaged in planning for the upcoming municipal elections on May 20, 2024, emphasizing the complexity of managing numerous candidates, many of whom are inexperienced. As the election landscape continues to evolve, he encourages those interested in civic engagement to consider running for local office, with a straightforward process for getting involved.
Election administration is a crucial but often overlooked aspect of democratic processes. Sean Drasher’s role as elections director reflects the complexity and importance of ensuring that elections run smoothly, particularly for pivotal events such as the presidential election and the subsequent municipal elections. His experiences illustrate both the challenges faced by election officials and the critical need for civic engagement at the local level, especially among new candidates and young poll workers.
In summary, Sean Drasher’s insights reveal the demanding nature of election administration, particularly in the lead-up to significant elections. He emphasizes the need for improved processes in early voting while acknowledging the contributions of dedicated poll workers. As preparations for municipal elections begin, Drasher urges community members to explore opportunities for civic participation and consider running for office, thereby fostering greater engagement in local governance.
Original Source: www.witf.org
