Thousands to descend on Philadelphia's ballot-counting facility

By the numbers: City commissioners have approved credentials for more than 2,000 people to access the Northeast Philly facility on Election Day and in the coming days.

• That figure includes an army of workers, election observers and more than 200 reporters, including from national and international outlets, such as CNN, BBC and Agence France-Presse.

Context: Interest in the ballot-counting process this year is on par with what it was in 2020, when officials counted votes at the Philadelphia Convention Center, deputy city commissioner Nick Custodio tells Axios.

• The Northeast building, which officials began using during the 2021 primary elections, is going to be a hub of activity with special machines helping workers sort and process votes.
• It's equipped with new fencing and a new guardhouse. Private security, sheriff's deputies and police will guard the facility, Custodio says.

Plus: There will also be a livestream set up so the public can view the ballot-counting facility, per Custodio.

• The effort is part of a nationwide push among election officials to boost transparency — and confidence.
• It comes as former President Trump is again using Pennsylvania to sow doubts about voting procedures and the election itself.

What we're watching: Philadelphia election officials expect votes will be counted quicker than in 2020, especially with fewer mail-in ballots to process this time.