Bucks Co. Commissioners Issue Statement On Boockvar Resignation

DOYLESTOWN, PA — Two of the three commissioners for Bucks County have issued a statement expressing their gratitude for Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar, who is set to resign this week after her department failed to publicize a proposed constitutional amendment that would retroactively extend the timeline for sexual assault victims to file civil lawsuits against their abusers.

Boockvar, a Doylestown resident, will resign from her post on Friday, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Monday.

In a joint statement, Democratic commissioners Bob Harvie and Diane Ellis-Marseglia expressed their gratitude to Boockvar for her leadership during the 2020 election cycles. Commissioner Gene DiGirolamo, a Republican and former state representative, was not included in the statement.

"With wisdom and a steady hand, Secretary Boockvar helped navigate 67 diverse counties through new laws effected via Act 77 and Act 12, including the first-ever mail-in ballot process in the state," the statement read. "Many of these counties, like Bucks, were introducing entirely new voting systems as well."

Harvie, who chairs the Bucks County Board of Elections, said Boockvar weathered unfair allegations of voter fraud and lawsuits from the Trump campaign despite overseeing a free and fair election process.

"The guidance and assistance offered by Secretary Boockvar and her staff last year were invaluable," Harvie said. "I don’t know how we could have conducted the election successfully without her."

Commissioners chair Diane Ellis-Marseglia said she regularly relied on the secretary's office for assistance, "finding her level of involvement in resolving issues and directly answering questions to be unmatched," she said.

Boockvar's resignation has fueled speculation that it was related to the 2020 election process. Gov. Wolf has denied any link.

“This change at the Department of State has nothing to do with the administration of the 2020 election, which was fair and accurate,” Gov. Wolf said. “The delay caused by this human error will be heartbreaking for thousands of survivors of childhood sexual assault, advocates and legislators, and I join the Department of State in apologizing to you. I share your anger and frustration that this happened, and I stand with you in your fight for justice."

Related: PA Secretary Of State Kathy Boockvar To Resign

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