Staff Reports
Pennsylvania Democrats just pulled a fast one on their election website, and it’s enough to make one wonder if they’re auditioning for a role in a political thriller. The New York Post recently reported on this late-night editing spree that coincided suspiciously with Republican accusations of election misinformation. It’s like watching a magician pull a rabbit out of his hat—only this time, the rabbit is a blatant disregard for state law.
The Republicans weren’t just throwing shade for fun. They fired off a letter earlier that Thursday to Secretary of State Al Schmidt, shining a spotlight on the Democrats’ “Voter Protection” page. It seemed that the Democrats were letting slip a little something that made it appear like poll watchers could roll in from any corner of the country, rather than being required to be actual voters from Pennsylvania. According to state law, which dates back to the Great Depression era, every designated watcher needs to be a “qualified registered elector” of the very county in which they’re stationed. Can you say “whoops”?
CHEATING HAS STARTED
The Pennsylvania Democratic Party has potentially violated state law by allegedly recruiting out-of-state poll watchers, raising concerns about the integrity of the upcoming election. pic.twitter.com/xu1yCB3Djc— Giordano Bruno (@GioBruno1600) August 30, 2024
Yet, instead of standing by their creative interpretation of the law, the Democrats decided to do a little digital cleanup. By the time the web page was updated, it was clear the Democrats were more interested in feathering their nests than following the rules. Now, the page declares that to be an indoor poll observer in Pennsylvania, one must be a registered voter of the state and hold a certificate from the local County Board of Elections. Outside poll observers, however, can be any ol’ body—so long as they’re at least ten feet from the polling place. Talk about a loophole big enough to drive a truck through!
One could argue that this sneaky update is akin to admitting they were wrong, but of course, the Pennsylvania Democrats won’t see it that way. They rushed out a statement insisting they take democracy seriously, unlike those pesky MAGA Republicans, who they claim are just looking to stir up trouble. According to them, they’ve always had this distinction clear. However, the blink-and-you-miss-it change on their recruitment page begs to differ.
The timing of this change couldn’t be more suspect—like a cat being caught with its paw in the cookie jar. While Pennsylvania Democrats now posture about transparency, their quick footwork suggests they were more interested in staying one step ahead of scrutiny than actually being honest about election integrity. After all, when it comes to safeguarding the sanctity of the vote, accountability shouldn’t come from getting caught, but from a commitment to doing what’s right from the get-go.
