Karen Barsoum
WEST CHESTER — After a lengthy search, Chester County has its new leader for managing the election process.
On Tuesday, Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell and Michelle Kichline announced the appointment of Karen Barsoum as Director of Chester County’s Department of Voter Services.
Barsoum brings to Chester County Voter Services more than 10 years of experience working within municipal government, including seven years as Assistant Director of Election Services for Berks County. In that role, she played a key part in the research, procurement and implementation of a new $4.5 million voting system for the 2020 primary and general elections, as well as the administration of, and public outreach and education on the new mail-in voting system for the 2020 elections. In addition, she reviewed federal, state and local legislation for its potential impact on the conduct of elections; conducted poll worker recruitment and training; managed polling place research, changes and agreements; and administered voter registration for the County of Berks (270,000-plus registered voters).
Prior to her career at the County of Berks, Barsoum served as confidential secretary and events coordinator for the City of Reading Managing Director’s Office. She also held positions with Twin Valley School District and with West Chester-based Quality Medical Specialists.
Barsoum is a native of the Netherlands were she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Commercial Arts. She relocated to Pennsylvania in 2002.
