Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks) and Republican state legislators are demanding action after dozens of people who waited in line to vote early at Bucks County election offices were turned away.
The GOP elected officials sent a letter to the county commissioners calling out the office’s failure and insisting on improvement.
“It is our responsibility as elected officials to ensure easy access to voting for all our constituents while also instilling confidence in our electoral process,” said the letter, obtained by the DVJournal. “One can argue that there is no greater threat to our democracy than to have voter disenfranchisement or distrust in our electoral process. As elected officials, we are deeply troubled by the recent reports and widespread constituent concerns over the last 24 hours involving Bucks County voters who were looking to cast their ballots at the Board of Elections Office this past Saturday.”
Though early voting was scheduled to continue until 2 p.m., more than 60 people standing in line at noon were told the line was going to be cut off and about 20 people were sent away.
“Many constituents now fear they will not have the opportunity to vote in this year’s election,” the letter said. “…this incident sent shockwaves throughout our community and is causing individuals to lose faith in our electoral process. The potential disenfranchisement of voters must be rectified so that every eligible voter is able to vote.”
“We ask that the county government provide an immediate remedy for affected voters consistent with the law and urge our Board of Elections to stay open for as long as it takes leading up to the Oct. 29 deadline to ensure every resident is afforded the opportunity to vote,” the letter read.
In addition to Fitzpatrick, the letter was signed by Bucks County state Sens. Frank Farry and Jarrett Coleman and state Reps. Joseph Hogan, Craig Staats, Kathleen “K.C.” Tomlinson, Shelby Labs, and Kristin Marcell.
The Republican National Committee also sent a letter to Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt.
“With only eight days until Election Day, Pennsylvanians across the commonwealth deserve every option available to exercise their civic duty. But voters are being turned away, given faulty information, and told their ballots will not be counted,” RNC chair Michael Whatley wrote. “This is nothing short of voter suppression, and we demand immediate action to ensure every legal vote can be cast and counted properly.”
The RNC has received “numerous concerning reports from Pennsylvania voters that computers are down, polling sites are closing early and are not accepting any more voters, and that mail ballots will not be counted.”
“Tomorrow, Oct. 29, 2024, is the last day to request a mail-in ballot in person at a county election office. No voter should be turned away, told an office is closing early, or told they cannot be accommodated if they appear during the posted business hours.
“We are asking Secretary Schmidt to provide relief immediately – supporting a ‘free, fair, safe, and secure’ election as he promised,” Whaley wrote.
Bucks County election officials did not respond when asked to comment.
Contacted by DVJournal, a spokesperson said, “The Department of State works with its county partners to ensure every eligible voter who wants to vote by mail can do so. Secretary Schmidt personally visited every county to discuss administration of the election, and emailed all counties last week to urge them to review their plans to ensure every voter has an opportunity to receive and cast a ballot. Counties across the commonwealth are facing higher than expected turnout to request and return ballots. Election officials are working around the clock to ensure that everyone who is eligible to vote and wants to can vote.”
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