'We the people will never stop': Voters call for York County to participate in Mastriano's audit

Some voters and elected officials called on the York County commissioners to participate in a “forensic investigation” of the 2020 presidential election being pushed by state Sen. Doug Mastriano, R-Franklin.

It comes just days after the county commissioners responded to Mastriano's proposed Arizona-style audit of the 2020 presidential election and the 2021 primary. In the four-page letter, the officials raised questions, including who would pay for it and who will be conducting the analysis.

Officials also raised concerns that the county's voting equipment could be decertified, which would then cost more than $2.7 million to replace.

Proponents of the forensic investigation attended the county commissioners meeting Wednesday and urged them to participate — even if it means that taxpayers will have to pay for new voting equipment.

More:York County raises objections to Mastriano's election audit demands

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Darla Byerly of York Township said the people have the right to scrutinize the election, and she has collected more than 5,000 signatures for Audit the Vote PA. She asked the commissioners whether they will cooperate.

"We the people are watching, and we know who's for us, and we know who's against us," she said. "I can assure you of one thing: One way or another, audits are coming. We the people will never stop. We've been going since Nov. 3, 2020, and we will continue to hammer away at this no matter what it takes."

The crowd erupted into applause at the end of her speech. President Commissioner Julie Wheeler asked the watchers to refrain from clapping to allow more time for individuals to address the board. "This is serious," a man responded.

Elected officials also weighed in.

Mark Swomley, a Springettsbury Township supervisor, was among the proponents for the county participating in the forensic investigation.

"Even if York County is not the problem and will not change the election overall, there were numerous irregularities, and I think that the county has to put their voice behind supporting a forensic audit of the vote in Pennsylvania," he said, prompting the crowd to erupt in applause.

But Alan Vandersloot, a West York borough councilman, called the audit a "sham" and referred the public to the website, Not an Audit. He said the county should not participate in it. 

York County was only one of three counties asked to participate. The state has 67 counties.

Vandersloot said he has participated in elections since 1970 and has felt that every one was fair. He has never felt the need to challenge the results because of "personal agendas or misinformation."

Some individuals also raised concerns about the polls running out of ballots during the primary.

Meanwhile, Fulton County had its voting equipment decertified because it allowed a post-election review by a third party in violation of Pennsylvania’s Election Code, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State.

The third party, Wake TSI, does not have knowledge or expertise in election technology. the Department of State said. It was given access to the election database, results files and Windows systems logs. It also took images of the hard drive and other digital equipment.

As a result, the state, the county, and the vendor, Dominion Voting Systems, cannot verify that the voting system will be safe to use in future elections, the release states.

After a brief recess, Wheeler said it's too premature for the board to make a decision. 

She said the county wants to get answers to its questions, and they will continue to reach out to Mastriano's office.