ICYMI: Post-Gazette Spotlights RightCount & Lou Barletta’s Defense of State Control of Elections

In case you missed it, this weekend the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette highlighted Pennsylvania’s role in the national debate over election authority — and featured a principled stand for state control of elections by RightCount Pennsylvania Co-Chair and former Congressman Lou Barletta.

“…along with former Gov. Mark Schweiker, Mr. Barletta co-chairs Pennsylvania’s branch of RightCount, a Republican-led nonprofit that partners with local leaders to educate swing state voters and restore trust in elections. RightCount’s push ahead of the 2026 midterms comes with the GOP’s control of Congress on the line, and with state lawmakers, the Shapiro administration, election law experts and voting advocates warning that state and local power over elections are at grave risk.”

Barletta made the case clearly: for more than two centuries, the Constitution has entrusted states — not Washington — with administering elections. Drawing on his experience as former mayor of Hazleton and member of Congress, Barletta reflected on a lesson he learned at an international conference of mayors:

“Local leaders from around the world “envied the United States,” where the Constitution has delegated states to administer elections.”

States Control Elections — By Design

Barletta emphasized that confidence in elections depends on maintaining that constitutional balance.

“Without question, it is the responsibility of states to administer elections.”

He warned that efforts to centralize election authority in Washington undermine that tradition — and public trust.

“Being a Republican, if you wouldn’t want [former Vice President] Kamala Harris or [California Gov. Gavin] Newsom to run local elections, you wouldn’t want the federal government to do it now.”

Limiting federal power, he argued, is not partisan — it’s constitutional. And it gives voters confidence that elections are administered closest to the people.

A Dangerous Precedent on Voter Data

Barletta also raised serious concerns about federal requests for sensitive voter information, cautioning that such demands: “could set a bad precedent.”

He posed a commonsense question:

“What would stop Washington from demanding a list of registered gun owners? It seems good while you have the football, but what happens when the other team has the ball?”

Protecting voter privacy and preventing federal overreach is essential to maintaining trust in the system.

Supporting Mail Voting

Importantly, Barletta reaffirmed that protecting state authority does not mean opposing modern voting methods.

He and former Gov. Mark Schweiker — along with many Republican leaders — encouraged voters to embrace mail-in voting in 2024 to remain competitive and expand participation.

Barletta has consistently said that states and local officials must ensure security around mail ballots — but he supports mail voting as a lawful, accessible option when administered properly.

Restoring Confidence Through Federalism

At its core, the debate isn’t about party — it’s about adherence to the rule of law.

As Barletta put it, limiting federal power gives Americans greater confidence in their elections.

Read the full story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: “Pennsylvania on Front Lines of Election Power Battle Ahead of Midterms” by Benjamin Kail