Ensuring transparency, fairness, and confidence in our democratic process

Rep. Danielle Friel Otten November 7, 2025 | 4:46 PM

PA Representative Danielle Otten banner image

Dear Neighbor,

As most of you are aware, Tuesday’s municipal election in Chester County did not unfold as smoothly as expected. Early in the day, county officials discovered that third-party and newly registered voters had been accidentally omitted from poll books. This issue affected all precincts and required thousands of voters, including those registered as Independent, Libertarian, Green Party, No Affiliation, and Non-Partisan, to complete provisional ballots. In response, supplemental poll books were delivered to every precinct, and polling hours were extended until 10 PM to ensure every eligible voter had the opportunity to cast a ballot.

While provisional ballots were available, important questions remain about how this error occurred, how widespread its impact was, and whether any voters were ultimately disenfranchised. I, along with my colleagues in the Chester County State House Delegation, have formally requested that the Pennsylvania Department of State conduct a full and transparent investigation into the cause of the omission, the response on Election Day, the number of affected voters, and the steps being taken to ensure all ballots are properly counted. We also requested that the Department of State report its findings to the Pennsylvania House and Senate, along with any legislative recommendations to prevent this from happening in future elections. Our colleagues in the state Senate sent a similar letter to county officials.

Elections are the bedrock of our democracy, and any breakdown in the process threatens the public’s faith in that system. Public trust depends on accountability and swift action. Voters deserve to know that their voices will be heard and their ballots will be counted without error or delay. I urge the Department of State to act quickly and thoroughly, and I remain committed to ensuring transparency, fairness, and confidence in our democratic process.

As part of that transparency, the review and crediting of provisional ballots began TODAY, in full view of the public. An estimated 12,100 voters cast provisional ballots on Tuesday, and each will be checked against the voter rolls to ensure eligibility. The process is taking place at 313 W. Market Street in West Chester, beginning at approximately 8:30 AM each day and continuing for up to 12 hours per day, every day, until the count is complete. Members of the public are invited to attend and observe. If you voted provisionally, you will also be able to confirm online that your ballot has been counted.

Utility Providers Commit to Protect LIHEAP Families During Shutdown

Utility providers across Pennsylvania have agreed to protect households eligible for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) from service shutoffs during November. This action comes in response to the ongoing federal government shutdown, which has delayed the start of LIHEAP until December 3.

Under the agreement, utilities will not terminate heat or electricity for LIHEAP-eligible customers this month, bridging the gap until Pennsylvania’s regular winter moratorium on shutoffs begins December 1. This move ensures that more than 300,000 families who rely on LIHEAP each year will not be left without essential services as colder weather arrives.

While regulated utilities have agreed to halt shutoffs, households using deliverable fuels such as oil and propane, or those served by municipal utilities, remain at risk and are urged to seek assistance. Pennsylvanians in need of immediate help can connect with local utility assistance programs, call 211, or visit pa211.org for resources.

If you have questions or would like to provide feedback on any legislative or state-related issue, please contact my district office at repotten@pahouse.net.

Upcoming Events

Fall Food Drive

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, so my office has partnered with the Chester County Food Bank for a Fall Food Drive to help support residents of Chester County.

Help support residents of Chester County by donating food items from now until Friday, November 21.

The most needed food items are:

Canned/Pouch Chicken
Canned/Pouch Tuna
Pasta
Canned Ready to Eat Meals (like Beef Ravioli or Chili)
Breakfast/Granola Bars
Cereal

Other greatly needed pantry items:

Pasta Sauce / Canned Tomatoes
Canned Soup & Stews (pop-top appreciated)
Fruit (in juice), canned & individual cups
Healthy Snacks for Kids (nut free trail mix, popcorn, individual cracker bags, goldfish)
Peanut Butter (no high fructose corn syrup, look for the brown lid)

*low-sodium, low-sugar, no high fructose corn syrup when possible*

PLEASE NO GLASS CONTAINERS OR EXPIRED ITEMS!

Holiday Toy Drive

Help support Chester County families this holiday season by donating NEW, UNWRAPPED TOYS to our Holiday Toy Drive, benefiting Marine Toys for Tots - Chester and Montgomery Counties, PA.

Donations can be dropped off to our District Office Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 4:30 PM until Wednesday, December 10.

Please call 484-200-8259 with any questions.

Federal Shutdown Impacting SNAP Payments to Pennsylvanians

Due to the federal government shutdown, Pennsylvania residents will not receive their SNAP benefits until the shutdown ends and funds are released to PA.

During this interruption in SNAP benefits, the Chester County Food Bank remains committed to serving any Chester County resident that needs food, and they have asked us to help get the word out about where and how to access food resources.

Visit the Chester County Food Bank website for an interactive map and list of food providers throughout Chester County. There is also a printable PDF on that page listing all the hot meal sites and community partners throughout the county.

Anyone in need of help is encouraged to call the Chester County Food Bank at 610-873-6000 or email contact@chestercountyfoodbank.org. If a community partner is not open in your neighborhood and you are out of food, there is an emergency pantry onsite at the Food Bank. Please call 610-873-6000 to schedule an appointment to visit.

If you are a SNAP recipient, please continue to complete your renewals during the shutdown and report any changes to your income, contact information, or the people living in your home so that there is no interruption in your benefits when payments resume. Please also remember that changes mandated by the federal government will take effect in November. Beginning on November 1, you will be required to report work, school, or volunteer participation to DHS in order to remain eligible for benefits.

If you are in a position to help, please consider donating food items to the Chester County Food Bank, the Lord's Pantry in Downingtown, or the food pantry nearest you. A list of most needed food items and other ways to help can be found here.

You can always drop off food donations at my district office, 631 N. Pottstown Pike, Exton (in the Rocco’s Pizza shopping center), and we will deliver them to Chester County Food Bank.

To urge the federal government to reopen the government and restore SNAP benefits and other essential services, please contact the offices of the Republican elected officials who control all three branches of federal government, beginning with Sen. David McCormick at 202-224-6324.

2025 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Deadline Nearing

The deadline to file Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications, for rebates on property taxes or rent paid in 2024, is December 31, 2025. The state began issuing rebate checks on July 1, so the sooner you file, the sooner you will receive your rebate if eligible!

Thanks to changes passed in 2023, more people are eligible, with income limits adjusted to keep pace with Social Security cost-of-living adjustments. The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program has made it easier for seniors in Chester County to stay in their homes and afford groceries, medicine, and so much more.

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians ages 65 and older, widows and widowers ages 50 and older, and people with disabilities age 18 and older.

Please call or stop by my office to find out if you’re eligible and get assistance applying for your rebate. We’d be glad to answer any questions and set up an appointment to help you complete your application online!

For those who prefer to file by mail, paper applications will be available in my office soon, and we will update here when they come in.

SEPTA Senior Key Cards and Card Renewals

If you have a SEPTA Senior Key Card that has expired or will expire within the next month, we can renew it in our district office. To renew your card before it expires, please stop by my district office, or call us to make an appointment.

My office can also process applications and take photos for new SEPTA Senior Key ID Cards, which allow seniors 65 and older to travel for free on all SEPTA Regional Rail and transit routes within Pennsylvania. Just stop by my district office and bring a form of ID with your date of birth on it, such as a PA driver’s license or non-driver ID, U.S. passport, or birth certificate. We’ll enter your information into SEPTA’s online system, take a quick photo, and then SEPTA will mail your new card to you directly.

2-1-1 Southeastern Pennsylvania: Health and Human Services

211 SEPA is part of the national 211 Call Centers initiative that seeks to provide health and human services for everyday needs and those in crisis situations.

2-1-1 works with county governments and provider agencies to ensure important local program information is easily accessible.

Visit 211sepa.org for more information.

Mental Health Resources: Call 9-8-8

Chester County residents experiencing mental-health-related crisis or distress can dial 9-8-8 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.?This system is designed to be a memorable and quick number that connects people in crisis to a trained mental health professional.

Chester County offers additional resources for those in crisis, including Chester County’s warm line, 1-866-846-2722, operated by Certified Peer Specialists, who are individuals in recovery with a lived experience of mental health challenges.

Chester County’s Teen Talk Line ensures seamless referral to Mobile Crisis for youth in need of immediate or higher-level support. The call line is 855-852-TEEN (8336), and the text line is 484-362-9515.

Visit the?Department of Human Services website for more information about the 988 system and other state and local mental health resources.

If you or someone you love is in crisis, please don’t give up hope, and please know that you do not need to walk this path alone. We are here and we will do whatever we can to help.

My office will be closed on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11. We will be back in the office on Wednesday, November 12, and ready to assist you with any state-related services.

My staff and I are here to help make state government work better for you! For assistance with the above programs or any other state-related services, please email?repotten@pahouse.net, call 484-200-8259, contact us through my website, or visit my district office in Exton and let us know how we can help!

Sincerely,