NOTE: Read the “Background” below before answering the questions.

1. What did investigative reporter Max Marin discover when he visited the Philadelphia board of elections warehouse (where election machines [and paper ballots?] are stored? Be specific.

2. For what reason did election officials need to assure voters (prior to Marin’s visit) that voting integrity is not compromised?

3. a) What do Philadelphia’s new election voting machines include as added security to ensure the integrity of the vote?
b) Do you think Philadelphia voters can trust that this measure will protect their votes? Explain your answer.

4. a) List the security measures Democratic Mayor Jim Kenney has implemented following the theft and reporter Max Marin’s report from the board of elections warehouse, according to spokesperson Mike Dunn.
b) Why do you think the city commissioners did not take these steps until Max Marin published his report?

5. Re-read the last two paragraphs of the article. What do you think of Mr. Brady’s response to Max Marin’s report on his investigation of the election facility?

6. There were no security cameras evident in the board of elections warehouse, even after the theft. The reporter describes the election warehouse, saying “Getting there requires navigating an out-of-the-way back road, and going to the back of a lot to find a nondescript brick building. No sign indicates there are election materials inside.” He notes, “A laptop and several memory sticks used to program Philadelphia’s voting machines were stolen. …It and the USB drives were the only items believed to have been taken.”
a) Why do you think the Office of City Commissioners, which oversees elections in Philadelphia, had no plan in place to guard the election machine facility?
b) Who do you think stole the items? (a random theft? an inside job? etc.) Explain your answer.

7. Should Philadelphia voters, Democrat and/or Republican, as well as Independents, be concerned?
If you answered no, please explain your answer.
If you answered yes, what can they do to express their concern?