Longtime Somerset County Polling Place is First 'Keystone of Democracy'

SOMERSET, Pa., April 4, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A Somerset County polling place where voting has taken place since 1940 was designated today as Pennsylvania's first "Keystone of Democracy.''

Secretary of the Commonwealth Carol Aichele, whose agency oversees elections in the state, today presented a certificate to the Somerset County Commissioners designating the Election House in Stonycreek Township as a Keystone of Democracy.

This new program recognizes polling places in use for at least 50 consecutive years, honors poll workers and reminds citizens of the importance of voting in every election.

"The new Keystone of Democracy designation recognizes buildings that have served as unique pieces of Americana, where citizens participate in our most basic civic right, voting," Aichele said. "By recognizing these places where citizens gather twice a year to cast ballots, we also recognize the county officials, poll workers and, most importantly, the voters who come here year after year, to make our representative form of government work.

"Because there is no more basic or vital means of participating in our civic life than voting, it is important to recognize the people and places that make our government 'of the people, by the people, for the people' work," Aichele added.

Stonycreek Township, where the Election House is located, also has another special meaning, Aichele said. United Flight 93 crashed in Stonycreek Township on Sept. 11, 2001, and is also now the site of the Fight 93 Memorial.

"By their simple act of voting in this building, year after year, the people of Somerset County make a strong statement to those who would attack the freedom we enjoy because of our system of government, that our way of life will prevail, regardless of what the terrorists do," Aichele said.

County officials are encouraged to contact the Department of State at [email protected] to nominate polling places for the Keystone of Democracy designation.   

Media contact: Ron Ruman, 717-783-1621

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of State