Chester County’s election director has resigned following election errors and employee complaints

Karen Barsoum, who faced a turbulent tenure as Chester County’s director of voter services, will leave the job in June.

Barsoum, who was appointed to oversee the county’s elections in 2021, announced her resignation to staff Wednesday in an email.

“After careful consideration, I feel it is the right time for me to embrace new opportunities for both professional and personal growth,” she wrote in the message. “The decision to leave is mine and I thank the Commissioners for working with me on an appropriate timetable.”

Her last day will be June 12. Barsoum sent her memo in response to an email seeking comment.

A spokesperson for the county said Thursday they were moving quickly to find a new director. It’s another significant leadership change for the county, after its top administrator left the job earlier this month.

Barsoum, who came to the role after serving as assistant director in the Berks County election office, faced fevered criticism in recent months. Her time with Chester County became colored by high staff turnover and a series of election errors, with the most significant leaving about 75,000 independent and unaffiliated voters off the rolls in November’s election, forcing roughly 12,000 voters to cast provisional ballots. Though the county said everyone who wanted to vote was able to, it caused hours of confusion and eroded the trust of residents.

An independent investigation of the poll book error found that there was no malfeasance, and said lack of direct supervision and formal training ultimately led to the error. The investigation did not suggest personnel changes, even as residents called for Barsoum’s resignation or firing. The county’s commissioners declined to discuss personnel decisions when it presented the investigation to voters in February.

On the heels of the November error, the county’s voters services department mistakenly reversed first and last names on mail-in ballot applications in February. The department, and the Pennsylvania Department of State, said the applications would still be processed as usual.

The mistakes came as Barsoum faced allegations of creating a hostile work environment, where she allegedly subjected election workers to “bullying,” according to an eight-page grievance filed by an employee against her.

The department has seen unusually high turnover since 2021, with nearly double the departures of neighboring collar counties over the same time period.

The county spokesperson said Thursday the commissioners, who comprise the county’s board of elections, “appreciates Ms. Barsoum’s work on behalf of the Department of Voter Services over the past five years.”

In her memo this week, Barsoum said she would announce her next steps following the conclusion of her tenure in the county. She will assist with one more election “to ensure a smooth transition,” she wrote.

“Looking back on my time in this role, I am filled with deep gratitude,” she wrote. “This work is truly about the people, the team, and the passion.”

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