Trump Questions Pennsylvania’s Voting Rules, Accuses Governor of Voter Registration Scam
In a recent development, former President Donald Trump has turned his attention towards Pennsylvania’s voting rules once again. Trump, who never stopped criticizing court decisions on mail-in ballots during the COVID-19 pandemic, is now targeting Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro’s move to implement automatic voter registration.
Accusing the governor of running an automatic voter registration scam, Trump took to social media to voice his concerns. Republicans have joined him in expressing their discontent, raising concerns about the lack of safeguards to prevent minors or undocumented immigrants from registering. The Shapiro administration, however, denies these claims.
Republican lawmakers are considering legal action, arguing that Shapiro should have sought approval from the Legislature, where control is divided between the parties. At the national and state level, the Republican parties are demanding an explanation from Shapiro’s administration on how they will ensure non-U.S. citizens and minors are prevented from registering to vote.
Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel criticized Shapiro, accusing him of bringing about an unclear and unnecessary last-minute rule change just weeks before the upcoming November 7 election. McDaniel further claimed that Shapiro prioritizes media attention over the security and transparency of Pennsylvania elections.
Despite the backlash, Shapiro is capitalizing on the move, making appearances on national cable TV and using it as a fundraising tool. In his fundraising email, he emphasized that automatic voter registration would enable tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians to have their voices heard, regardless of their political affiliation.
Democrats argue that Shapiro’s actions are well within his legal authority. Adam Bonin, an election lawyer, suggests that Republicans criticizing the move are using it as a way to raise campaign donations and create a backup plan in case Trump loses in the 2024 election.
Automatic voter registration systems have been implemented in various states since 2015, including both left-leaning and Republican-controlled states. States such as Georgia have witnessed an increase in registrations without any issues related to non-U.S. citizens registering to vote. Studies conducted on states with automatic voter registration have shown no widespread fraud or illegal voting.
In Pennsylvania, the change will be noticeable when individuals visit driver’s license centers to obtain or renew their licenses. A prompt on the computers will inform them that they will be registered to vote unless they choose to decline. The Shapiro administration claims that they already have measures in place to prevent non-U.S. citizens or individuals under the age of 18 from being registered.
Supporters of automatic voter registration highlight its advantages, including more secure, efficient, and cost-effective maintenance of voter rolls. However, election researchers suggest that it is not a game-changer in terms of boosting voter turnout for any specific group.
The adoption of automatic voter registration in Pennsylvania has received praise from left-leaning organizations, as it is expected to help close the voter registration gap, especially in communities of color.
Shapiro’s order may face a legal challenge, which would not be unusual for election law disputes in the state. In the lead-up to the 2020 election, Trump’s campaign, state officials, and the Democratic Party engaged in battles over mail-in voting rules. Trump wrongly claimed that mail-in ballots were riddled with fraud and could cost him the election.
Chairman of Allegheny County’s Republican Party, Sam DeMarco, acknowledged that it’s uncertain whether the 2024 election will mirror 2020. Nonetheless, he criticized Shapiro for implementing automatic voter registration without proper hearings, legislation, or public education, suggesting that transparency is necessary to dispel conspiracy theories.
As Pennsylvania continues to grapple with its voting rules, the state is once again becoming a battleground for political debates surrounding election integrity and security.
