This week, Pennsylvania's Secretary of State, Al Schmidt, issued a stern warning to Lancaster County regarding allegations of improper hurdles faced by local college students attempting to register to vote. Schmidt, a Republican, addressed concerns raised by students who reported that their voter registrations were either put on hold or were instructed to cancel their voter registrations in their home states before being able to register in Pennsylvania.
In a letter sent on Monday, Schmidt highlighted that the county had inaccurately stated that individuals must cancel their prior voter registration in another jurisdiction before registering to vote in Pennsylvania. He emphasized that this was a misinterpretation of Pennsylvania law and urged immediate corrective action to rectify the situation.
The Secretary of State demanded that Lancaster County promptly investigate the reported incidents and ensure that all voter registration applications are processed in accordance with Pennsylvania law. Additionally, Schmidt called for the reinstatement of any registrations that were erroneously placed on hold.
Lancaster County, which strongly supported former President Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election, now faces scrutiny over its handling of voter registrations, particularly concerning local college students. The issue has sparked concerns about potential barriers to voter registration and the need for accurate interpretation and application of state voting laws.
