Voter Suppression Allegations in Pennsylvania’s Early Voting Phase
Long Lines and Complaints in Bucks County
On the last day of early in-person voting in Pennsylvania, allegations of voter suppression have emerged from Bucks County. The Republican National Committee sent a letter to Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt, stating that there are "numerous concerning reports" from voters indicating that polling sites are closing early and aren’t accepting any additional voters. Furthermore, they allege that mail ballots will not be counted.
Early voting lines around the Bucks County administration building wrapped around the block, with voters waiting as the period for requesting mail-in ballots was nearing its deadline. Bob Harvie, a Bucks County commissioner and chair of the Board of Elections, attributed the long lines to the processing time required for each application, with an average of 10 to 12 minutes per voter.
"We don’t have limitless resources, we have a fixed number of staff and a fixed budget," Harvie mentioned, explaining that the Board had to cut the line at some point.
Voter Experiences and Remote Polling Stations
Voters in Doylestown reported waiting up to three hours to get through the line. Those already attempting to vote last week were back on the final day, some being turned away as it came close to closing time. However, the county spokesperson confirmed that mail-in ballot applications were still being accepted until 5 p.m.
。Perspective in Philadelphia: Similar long wait times were experienced in Philadelphia, with voters waiting hours to cast their ballots. A video snapshot from City Hall in Philadelphia highlights the struggles some first-time voters faced. High school students joined their peers in casting ballots, showing youth engagement in the democratic process.
Trump’s Stance and Lancaster County Incident
Former President Donald Trump and his associates have weighed in on the voting issues, with Trump urging caution with mail-in ballots and highlighting potential fraud issues in Lancaster County. According to officials, a batch of around 2,500 voter registration forms submitted in Lancaster showed rejected forms due to automated system flags, sparking an investigation.
. Impact on Election Day: Ensuring that voters in line before polls close on Election Day will still be given the chance to vote, emphasizing the importance of staying in line when possible.
Call to Action
Voters in Pennsylvania are encouraged to share their experiences, report any irregularities, and ensure they stay informed about election polls and closing times. For those facing obstacles, submitting reports to legal teams addressing voter suppression issues will help protect individual voting rights.
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