Butler has been named one of 18 counties to accept gifts from voting machine vendors, but the chairwoman of the county commissioners contends the committee hearing product presentations did nothing wrong.

Pennsylvania is requiring all counties to update voting systems by 2020's primary election. New systems must include a paper recording of each vote after the federal Department of Homeland Security determined Pennsylvania was among 21 states targeted by Russians for voter hacking in the 2016 elections.

After learning the elections director in Luzerne County accepted trips from a vendor chosen by county officials, state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale asked all 67 Pennsylvania counties to report to him whether they accepted trips or gifts from voting machine vendors.

Locally, the county elections director and the commissioners constitute the committee hearing presentations from vendors. The group reported to DePasquale that one vendor, Dominion, provided meals for presentations and equipment demonstrations held in 2016 and 2018, while another firm, ES&S, provided lunch for eight county officials at a January 2019 equipment demonstration.

They also reported various vendors dropped off doughnuts, candy and other small items for county staff members.

“As Pennsylvania counties chose new voting equipment, I want them to make decisions based on the best interests of voters — and no other factors,” DePasquale said in a news release.

Leslie Osche, chairwoman of the Butler County Commissioners, said the county did not breach any requirements by accepting the meals, one of which was a fast-food lunch.

Osche said the process of choosing a certified voting system in the county has integrity because the committee looked at four state-approved vendors. The committee identified features important to county voters, and narrowed the field to two companies, which were invited back for more in-depth presentations. She said county poll workers were also invited to the presentations to review the systems and provide feedback.

“I don't know how you can question the integrity of that because I don't think a piece of rubber chicken is going to influence my vote (on a vendor),” Osche said.

Osche said the county could just as well have furnished the food for the demonstrations because the meetings were at the lunch hour, but the vendor companies ended up doing so.

She also finds it interesting that the state rushed a mandate for the paper-based, state-certified voting systems, but still has not finished certifying all vendors, and is now accusing the county of impropriety.

DePasquale's news release said examples of gifts reported by other counties include travel to various destinations, including Las Vegas; tickets to a wine festival and distillery tour; amusement park tickets; and dinners at high-end restaurants.

He also lists “an open bar at a conference for elections officials” and “an assortment of treats, such as chocolate-covered pretzels, snacks and coffee” as items county officials should not have accepted.

“It doesn't matter if the gifts were large or small,” DePasquale said. “My problem is the fact that anyone accepted them, period.”

He said he will refer his findings to the state Ethics Commission for further review.

“I can appreciate his concern,” Osche said. “I think it's important that they are looking into it.”

However, she reiterated the process followed in choosing voting machines in Butler County proves all due diligence is being undertaken to select the best system.

“We know in this county how important the integrity of the election system is,” Osche said. “Our voters are pretty clear.”

She said the commissioners will make a recommendation on a new voting system at their March 5 meeting.

Osche added that because all three commissioners are running for re-election this year, a committee will be appointed to make the final choice on a voting system.