The information quoted in an article on Page 1 of the March 2 issue is misleading when compared to recent voter registration information.

In the article, Aaron Sheasley, director the Butler County Bureau of Elections, states that “there is an unusually large number of party-change requests” as both Democrats and Republicans are switching their voter status to “independent” or “no affiliation.” He stated further that “four times or more than normal left their party.”

In fact, the Bureau’s own records show that between Oct. 15, 2020 and Feb. 3, 2021, the Democrat registration total moved from 44,306 to 43,597, with a loss of 709. The Republican registration total moved from 78,395 to 79,417, with a gain of 1,002. The “Other” registration moved from 19,699 to 20,410, with a gain of 711.

I would be interested to see the exact numbers of voters who changed their party affiliation from January 2020 to January 2021 as referenced by Mr. Sheasley in the article. A massive switch certainly isn’t evident in the numbers before and since the 2020 General Election.

Is Sheasley saying that we should we be alarmed that the current 711 “other” voter registration gain is four times greater than normal?

Just when we need desperately to restore confidence in our election process and our election officials, this kind of exaggerated reporting does little to inspire confidence that the Butler County Bureau of Elections will set things straight by the next election.

Trish Lindsay, vice chairwoman, Butler County Republican Committee, Sarver