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The truth about mail ballots in Pennsylvania

Plus, Penn State makes internal data on misconduct complaints public.

The logo of PA Post, a free daily newsletter delivering the top news from across Pennsylvania every day.

A daily newsletter by The logo of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom producing investigative journalism for Pennsylvania.
Your Postmaster: Tanisha Thomas



Monday, April 15, 2024
Today: Mail voting explained, Erie remembers, reports released, bootleg badge, McCormick endorsed, Primanti appreciation, and banking for dogs.
MAIL BALLOTS 101

You may be one of the hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians who plan to vote by mail during the 2024 election. Or maybe it’s an option you’ve considered but haven’t pursued because you distrust the process.

Pennsylvania election officials have safeguards in place to verify the identity of people who request and cast mail ballots. Many counties also follow guidance from the Department of State to secure ballots and track who handles them.

Despite these layers of security and verification, former President Donald Trump has routinely attacked mail voting since 2020. 

Read Spotlight PA and Votebeat's full report: Elections 101: How Pa. secures mail ballots, prevents fraud, and more

Get Spotlight PA's exclusive "New Serving the Truth" kitchen apron.
 NEW LOW PRICE! 

'Now Serving the Truth' kitchen aprons!

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NOTABLE / QUOTABLE

“One of the things we have not forgotten here in Erie is that in 2016, Hillary Clinton did not make a stop … I think that would be an enormous mistake for both Biden and Trump."

Mercyhurst University political science professor Joe Morris on the importance of presidential candidates engaging Pennsylvania voters

🗳️ ELECTION ESSENTIALS

📅 UPCOMING EVENTS

BROKEN PRIMARIES: Join us Friday, April 19 from 6-7 p.m. ET on Zoom for a Spotlight PA members-only event with Nick Troiano, author of The Primary Solution, a new book on how our partisan primaries are fueling the political divide in America and what we can do about it.

Become a Spotlight PA member here and you'll be automatically registered for the event.
 
📷 POST IT
A homemade Philly cheesesteak, via Stephen K. Have a photo to share? Send it to us by email, use #PAGems on Instagram, or tag us @spotlightpennsylvania
DAILY RUNDOWN
Today's top news story in Pennsylvania.MISCONDUCT REPORTS: For the first time in six years, Penn State has made internal data on misconduct complaints publicly accessible, fulfilling a commitment by the university to improve the transparency of its Office of Ethics and Compliance. Spotlight PA has more on what those reports showed.

Today's second top news story in Pennsylvania.
TAX BENEFITS: Under Gov. Josh Shapiro's budget plan, Pennsylvania would use $137 million to reimburse high-taxing school districts as part of a larger plan to ensure equitable education spending, The Inquirer (paywall) reports. The proposal does not specify what the districts could do with the money, and some districts say the idea penalizes them for keeping taxes lower.  
 
Today's third top news story in Pennsylvania.
BAD BADGE? Erie County's executive purchased police-like, gold badges for himself and members of his administration, a decision that other local government officials described to Erie Times-News (paywall) as very unusual. Executive Brenton Davis displayed his badge at a crime scene and during an encounter with hunters on county property.
 
Today's fourth top news story in Pennsylvania.
CONVERSION BAN: People licensed by the state's Osteopathic Medicine and Psychology boards could face administrative action if they practice "conversion therapy," the Capital-Star reports. New policies call the widely discredited practice “unprofessional, harmful conduct." Former Gov. Tom Wolf previously adopted an executive order to discourage its use. 

Today's fifth top news story in Pennsylvania.
FORMAL ENDORSEMENT: Former President Donald Trump endorsed U.S. Senate candidate David McCormick during a visit to Pennsylvania on Saturday. The endorsement follows an awkward relationship between the two during the 2022 primary, when McCormick refused Trump’s request to say the 2020 election was stolen, and Trump subsequently supported Mehmet Oz.
🤔 KNOW YOUR NEWS? Take this week's news quiz to prove it: Next eclipse, 2024 protest votes, and a 'Big Oil' lawsuit.
IN OTHER NEWS
WINNER WINNER: For the second year in a row, the Primanti Bros. sandwich won the PA Chamber's "Coolest Thing Made in PA" contest. If you didn't vote, you are legally unable to complain about the outcome. 

TURNPIKE BABY: Lottie Holmes definitely has one of the most interesting replies to the question, "Where were you born?" The answer: Mile Marker 18.1 on the Pennsylvania Turnpike

PARENTAL POLICY: Montgomery County now has the strongest public sector parental leave policy in Pennsylvania — up to 12 weeks paid.

TWIN LIVES: The world’s oldest conjoined twins, Lori and George Schappell, died at 62 years old in Pennsylvania on April 7, the AP reports. The siblings pursued separate careers and interests.

DOG ATM: TD Bank’s South Philly location has launched an “automated treat machine” that dispenses free biscuits to furry patrons who use it.
SCRAMBLER
Unscramble and send your answer to scrambler@spotlightpa.org. We'll shout out winners here, and one each week will get some Spotlight PA swag. Answers submitted by 5:30 p.m. on issue date will be counted.
 
D R L I I M P R O A

Yesterday's answer: Meticulous 

Congrats to our weekly winner: Gabrielle G.

Congrats to our daily winners: John P., Jodi R., Tracy S., Jon W., Bob C., Alan B., Barbara F., Stacy S., Elaine C., Kimberly D., Karen W., William Z., David W., Jeffrey F., Tom M., Dan A., Cosette J., Vicki U., Daniel M., Malachy M., and Tish M.
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