Trump Raises Alarm Over Alleged Voter Fraud in Pennsylvania Amid Ongoing Investigations

Former President Donald Trump sparked concerns about voter fraud in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, claiming that two counties are experiencing widespread issues with fraudulent voter registration. This claim comes as officials in both York and Lancaster counties are still investigating the validity of voter registration applications submitted by third-party organizations.

With Election Day just a week away, Trump’s rhetoric appears to be laying the groundwork for contesting the election results should he lose. Without waiting for the outcome of the investigations, Trump took to social media to voice his fears about alleged fraudulent activities, even as Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt urged the public for patience during this ongoing process.

In a post on X, Trump stated, “Wow! York County, Pennsylvania, received THOUSANDS of potentially FRUADULENT Voter Registration Forms and Mail-In Ballot Applications from a third party group.” He further alleged that Lancaster County had discovered “2,600 Fake Ballots and Forms, all written by the same person.” Trump called for immediate law enforcement action, demanding answers about the situation in Pennsylvania.

In response to Trump’s claims, state and county officials have sought to reassure voters that they are diligently investigating any allegations related to mail-in ballots, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.

Pennsylvania’s Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro, who previously served as the state’s attorney general, characterized Trump’s allegations as an attempt to create chaos. He noted that he successfully defeated 43 challenges to the 2020 election results from Trump and his allies. “We will have a free and fair, safe, and secure election in Pennsylvania,” Shapiro asserted, emphasizing that the will of the people would be respected.

Investigations into Suspected Fraud

Last week, election officials in Lancaster County reported identifying incidents of suspected voter registration fraud linked to a large-scale canvassing operation. These applications were characterized by duplicate handwriting and unverifiable addresses. According to the county’s district attorney and the bipartisan board of elections, around 2,500 voter registration forms were flagged for review, although they did not specify how many might be fraudulent.

Lancaster County officials also indicated that two other counties might have received similar questionable applications. Meanwhile, York County officials have not confirmed reports of fraudulent voter registrations and stated that they had received a large delivery of election materials from a third-party organization, which included completed voter registration forms and mail-in ballot applications.

In a statement, York County President Commissioner Julie Wheeler assured that all submissions undergo a verification process to ensure legality. She emphasized that any suspected fraud would be reported to the District Attorney’s Office for further investigation.

Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt acknowledged the investigations in both counties during a briefing, confirming that his department has been in contact with local officials since the issues were identified.

Pushback Against Claims of Voter Suppression

In Delaware County, election officials have refuted claims from the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee (RNC) about voter suppression. This follows an incident where a woman was removed from a polling location for allegedly disruptive behavior while attempting to influence voters.

RNC Chairman Michael Whatley shared a video of the incident, claiming it illustrated “voter suppression from the left.” However, county officials stated that the woman was removed due to complaints about her conduct and that security responded promptly to maintain order.

The woman, Val Biancaniello, identified as a GOP certified elector, claimed in a post that she had not broken any laws and was merely encouraging voters to stay in line. Delaware County Council Chair Monica Taylor responded by affirming the importance of protecting voters’ rights and praised law enforcement for handling the situation appropriately.

The Delaware County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that Biancaniello would receive a citation for disorderly conduct, a minor offense.

Meanwhile, the RNC continues to pursue legal avenues related to Pennsylvania’s mail-in voting regulations and has filed an emergency petition with the Supreme Court to challenge current laws.

As the election approaches, tensions are rising, with Trump’s claims and the ongoing investigations contributing to an atmosphere of uncertainty. Both state officials and election monitors are working diligently to uphold the integrity of the electoral process amid these allegations.