Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 2, 2021
CONTACT: press@secure-democracy.org
Bipartisan Group of Political Leaders & Election Officials Speak Out Against Politically-Motivated Election Review in Pennsylvania
As calls for a partisan review of the 2020 election continue in Pennsylvania, Republican and Democratic political leaders, as well as local election officials, are rightly debunking conspiracy theories and warning that any politically-motivated investigation will be a waste of taxpayer money and threaten the security of Pennsylvania’s voting equipment and ballot records.
State Senator Dan Laughlin (R): "The current attempt to discredit the 2020 election results runs headlong into an unmistakable truth. Donald Trump lost Pennsylvania because Donald Trump received fewer votes."
Former Congressman Charlie Dent (R): “Most of the Republicans I know, at the very least, have misgivings and, at worst, are like me and realize this is just really a blunder of epic proportions. Why bring the Arizona clown show to Pennsylvania?”
Governor Tom Wolf (D): “This is a disgrace to democracy — not to mention a profound waste of time and taxpayer money.”
State Senator Cris Dush (R): “I agree with and support the [Tioga] county commissioners’ decision to not release the election materials at this time and in this manner. Additionally, I have full confidence that the elections in Tioga County were run exceptionally well and no one who works for the county is attempting to hide anything.”
Pennsylvania Department of State: ““The Department of State encourages counties to refuse to participate in any sham review of past elections that would require counties to violate the trust of their voters and ignore their statutory duty to protect the chain of custody of their ballots and voting equipment.”
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro (D): “This ‘audit’ could risk decertifying the counties’ voting machines, costing county taxpayers’ millions of dollars. Right now this information is being requested voluntarily but should subpoenas be issued, you can expect our office to do everything to protect the Commonwealth, its voters and the free, fair election that was held in Pennsylvania.”
Philadelphia City Commission Chair Lisa Deeley (D): "In addition to being costly, replacing the voting system and equipment would likely take over a year. This would render it impossible for Philadelphia to conduct the November 2021 General Election as well as the May 2022 Primary Election."
Philadelphia City Commissioner Al Schmidt (R): “The 2020 General Election was already audited - twice. What Mastriano is requesting isn’t an actual audit at all, nor does it address his complaints which are about election procedures/decisions by the PA Supreme Court and PA Department of State...We have an obligation to protect the custody of all of our voting equipment and will not give that equipment to a third party, especially as it will result in its decertification.”
York County President Commissioner Julie Wheeler (R): "That's a lot of money that we don't have, that's not in the budget...That's going to be a burden that's placed on our taxpayers in order to get new machines."
Tioga County Commissioner Erick Coolidge (R): “I would rather we spent time or money in arenas that change the quality of life of those we represent.”
Tioga County Solicitor Chris Gabriel (nonpartisan): “This is not a political issue for us. This is a nuts and bolts local government issue. We just want to be able to run our elections...We are therefore following the Secretary's directive because we have a responsibility to ensure that our citizens can vote in the next election. That is not political, it is simply our job.”
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About Secure Democracy
Secure Democracy is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that works to improve election integrity across the United States. We educate policymakers and the public about what it takes to safeguard our voting systems. We collaborate with state leaders, election administrators, election integrity experts, and allies to ensure that all eligible citizens have the freedom to vote how they choose.