As a Burlington County Republican voter with over 30 years in this community, I am deeply frustrated by the recent failure in our election process. The mismanagement we’ve witnessed undermines the integrity of our elections and damages the public’s confidence in the system that should serve us all.
The commissioners of the Board of Elections—Joseph P. Dugan (Chairperson), Sean Earlen, George Nyikita, and Reva Foster—must be held accountable for their role in this disaster. Their collective failure to oversee the election process effectively has contributed directly to the confusion and chaos on Election Day, causing constituents to be unable to endure 2 to 5-hour lines to vote. They have demonstrated a disregard for the responsibility appointed to them, and their lack of action has only deepened the public’s distrust in the system. All of them must resign immediately.
In addition to his position as Board of Elections commissioner, Sean Earlen holds leadership roles as County GOP Chair, and positions on both the Planning Board and the Board of Education. As County GOP Chair, it is his responsibility to ensure that Election Day runs smoothly, especially since that is when the majority of Republicans vote. His divided attention and conflicting responsibilities have made him incapable of providing the focused leadership required to manage elections properly. Despite his call for an investigation, the problems we faced on Election Day were not an accident. They were the result of poor management, inadequate oversight, and a failure to prioritize. Earlen must resign immediately from his position as County GOP Chair and member of the Board of Elections. His inability to focus on any one role disqualifies him from holding all of them.
Burlington County voters deserve better. Investigations alone are not adequate. We need bold leadership changes and comprehensive reforms to restore transparency, efficiency, and trust in our elections. Anything less is an insult to every voter in this community.
Nicole Stouffer
Medford
