Article Summary –
Investigations into voter registration fraud in three Pennsylvania counties have sparked misinformation, including claims by Donald Trump. Lancaster, Monroe, and York counties are examining suspect forms linked to third-party organizations. Authorities stress that checks exist to ensure election integrity.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Investigations into potential voter registration fraud in three Pennsylvania counties are fueling online misinformation, notably from Donald Trump.
Limited details have emerged from Lancaster, Monroe, and York counties, with local authorities probing possible crimes.
What do we know?
Lancaster County DA Heather Adams, a Republican, noted concerns about two sets of voter registration applications due to similarities across about 2,500 forms.
Officials alerted Monroe County, where 30 irregular forms were identified and referred to the DA’s office. York County is reviewing suspect forms following a delivery from a third-party organization, according to County Commissioner Julie Wheeler.
The York DA’s office is liaising with county officials but hasn’t confirmed a criminal investigation.
Who dropped off the forms in question?
Lancaster officials haven’t named suspects. Wheeler linked the documents to Field+Media Corps, acting for Everybody Votes Campaign, a nonpartisan group.
Field+Media Corps CEO Francisco Heredia said they haven’t been contacted by Pennsylvania officials but are open to resolving discrepancies.
Everybody Votes Campaign confirmed they’ve not been contacted by Lancaster, York, or Monroe counties regarding the investigation.
What has Trump said about the investigations?
Trump, who frequently visits Pennsylvania, addressed the issue on Truth Social, claiming Lancaster County was “caught with 2600 Fake Ballots and Forms.” The county is investigating voter registration forms, not ballots.
Trump reiterated claims at an Allentown event, though Lancaster officials confirmed they are examining registration forms, not “votes.”
Adams stated that forging a voter registration form is a third-degree felony with severe penalties.
Is voter registration fraud a real problem?
Ex-Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar noted past issues due to financial incentives and oversight failures in voter-registration efforts, but emphasized that this doesn’t increase voting fraud risk.
Pennsylvania election workers verify voter identities and addresses, requiring new voters to present ID and signature verification against poll books.
Al Schmidt, Pennsylvania’s top election official, urged reliance on “trusted sources” amid widespread misinformation. He highlighted the robust checks ensuring only eligible voters cast one ballot each.
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