Philadelphia highlights security measures ahead of Election Day

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- With five days remaining until Election Day, Philadelphia officials are emphasizing the security and transparency of the city's election process, highlighting the role of the Philadelphia Election Warehouse where ballots will be counted.

City leaders recently provided a look inside the Philadelphia Election Warehouse, a 229-square-foot facility on Roosevelt Boulevard. The warehouse is used to store, prepare and test voting equipment, as well as process mail-in ballots.

Mayor Cherelle Parker said the facility reflects the city's investment in election administration and its commitment to ensuring election officials have the resources needed to conduct elections.

Officials said the city has also prioritized transparency in an effort to address voter concerns about election security, including the handling of mail-in ballots.

"Let me be clear. Election security is not a Democratic or Republican issue. It is about protecting every eligible Philadelphia voter's right to vote and ensuring that every vote is counted accurately," Parker said.

Philadelphia City Commissioners Chairman Omar Sabir urged voters still holding mail-in ballots to return them as soon as possible.

"There's close to maybe, what 40,000 or so ballots that need to come back," Sabir said. "So if you are in possession of a ballot right now, please do not put it in the mail because we have to have the completed mail ballot by November 3 and 8 p.m. sharp. Postmarks don't count."

Voters interested in tracking ballot returns can use the 6abc Ballot Tracker, which provides statewide turnout information as well as county-by-county data, including the number of outstanding ballots.