More than 200 people came out July 9 for a discussion of voting machines, writes Jodine Mayberry for the Daily Times.

Some were members of good government groups, like the League of Women Voters. Some were local Democratic or Republican leaders.

But many in the crowd were poll workers – the judges of elections, machine operators and clerks who check you in when you go to vote.

Dolores Shelton comments generated applause, cheers and nearly a standing ovation.

“We need more help. We used to work for nothing.” Now people expect to be paid.

After the Russians tried to hack election systems in 21 states in 2016, federal and state agencies both required Pennsylvania counties to have machines that leave a paper trail and are unhackable.

All five of the certified new systems being offered do those two things.

The speakers raised valid issues: privacy; paper jams; the number of ballots that must be printed for each precinct; potential long lines; storage space; additional furniture in cramped polling places.

Whichever machines the county chooses, the hard-working folks at the election bureau will have to figure out solutions to all those issues.

Read more about Delco’s new voting machines here.

[uam_ad id=”62465″]