GOP Alleges Swing State Democrats in Poll Watcher Recruitment Scandal

The Republicans are alleging potential election fraud by accusing the Pennsylvania Democrats of unlawfully recruiting poll watchers.

At a Glance

The Pennsylvania Democratic Party may be illegally recruiting out-of-state poll watchers, according to a letter from the Republican National Committee (RNC).
Pennsylvania state law requires poll watchers to be registered electors of the county where they are serving.
The RNC argues these guidelines could interfere with the legitimacy of election results.
The presidential race in Pennsylvania is very close, with Trump polling just 0.1 points ahead of Harris.
The RNC urges a public statement clarifying that poll watchers must be registered voters in the counties they serve.

Accusations from GOP Officials

The GOP has raised a red flag, accusing swing state Democrats of committing election fraud through improper recruitment of poll watchers. A letter from the Republican National Committee (RNC) alleges that the Pennsylvania Democratic Party has unlawfully recruited out-of-state individuals to serve as poll watchers. According to the RNC, such actions go against Pennsylvania state law, which mandates that poll watchers must be registered electors of the county where they serve.

The RNC insists that this alleged recruiting practice jeopardizes the integrity of election results. They argue that the presence of unauthorized poll watchers could disrupt voting procedures and lead to questions about the validity of the election outcomes.

Not just anyone can be a poll watcher. My office will not stand for voter intimidation.

Know what’s allowed, and what’s not. If you see voter intimidation at your polling location, call the Department of State’s Bureau of Elections at 1-877-868-3772. https://t.co/L8Chn3PCpn

— Josh Shapiro (@JoshShapiroPA) November 3, 2020

Pennsylvania’s Battleground Status

Pennsylvania holds a crucial position in the upcoming election, with its 19 electoral votes up for grabs. The state has historically been a key battleground, and this year is no different, with Donald Trump polling just slightly ahead of Kamala Harris. Any allegations that cast doubt on the election process could have significant implications for both the state and the nation.

Linda A. Kerns, Pennsylvania election integrity counsel for the RNC, emphasized the state’s strict regulations regarding poll watchers, stating, “Our law is extremely strict on that. A candidate can’t even enter the polling place unless he’s actually there to vote. If you want to be a poll watcher, you have to be a resident of the county where that district is.”

The RNC has called for a public statement to clarify the legal requirements for poll watchers, underscoring the importance of adhering to the law to ensure the election proceeds smoothly and fairly.

The Role of Poll Watchers

Poll watchers play a vital role in ensuring free and fair elections. Their presence is meant to add a layer of transparency to the election process. However, concerns exist that poll watchers, if not properly managed, can also contribute to voter intimidation and the spread of disinformation.

“Tons of complaints that poll watchers were intrusive and that voters felt intimidated because the poll watcher would come and stand behind them as they are voting.”

Instances of abusive behavior by poll watchers have been reported in Texas and Arizona. Such actions could disrupt election administration and cause delays for voters, further complicating the voting process.

Safeguarding Election Integrity

Both parties have historically organized poll monitors to ensure the integrity of elections. The RNC recently launched an initiative to mobilize polling place monitors, poll workers, and attorneys as “election integrity” watchdogs. This initiative includes deploying monitors, creating hotlines for reporting issues, and taking legal action to address potential voting irregularities.

“What we need to ensure is integrity in our electoral process,” RNC Co-chair Lara Trump said during the initiative’s kickoff event. “We can never go back and repeat 2020, but we can learn the lessons from 2020.”

While these efforts are designed to bolster voter trust in the electoral process, they also raise concerns about potential harassment of election workers and further undermining public confidence in the vote. Former President Donald Trump and his allies have continued to spread claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election, contributing to the heightened scrutiny of poll watcher practices.