A Trump supporter in the battleground state of Pennsylvania was arrested after allegedly encouraging people to ignore the orders of an election bureau official overseeing a polling station in Delaware County, according to a report.
A supporter of President Trump's was arrested today for encouraging people to stay in the early voting line and cast their ballots freely in Pennsylvania.
— Michael Whatley (@ChairmanWhatley) October 28, 2024
This follows reports from across the commonwealth that voters are being turned away in conservative areas.
This is voter… pic.twitter.com/ye4qTcfEn5
Republican state committeewoman and RNC delegate Valerie Biancanello was arrested on Monday after allegedly encouraging voters in line at a county government center to remain in line in order to cast their ballots. In contrast, an election official overseeing the location had been telling voters in line to leave "unless they had a pressing reason to vote".
I was just taken away in handcuffs at the Delaware County, PA Government Center for encouraging people to stay in line and vote. #FightFightFight #Trump2024 #Trump #MAGA #Vote #Delco pic.twitter.com/mFgRQtSf0H
— Val Biancaniello (@luckyvalpal) October 28, 2024
55-year-old Biancanello repeatedly referred to the official's actions as "voter suppression".
"I have been encouraging people to go vote in person at the government center and to drop their ballot into the drop box located in the lobby," said Biancaniello, 55, to the Delaware Valley Journal. "And I was getting complaints from people that the line was very long and they felt that they were being discouraged from voting by the workers at the Election Bureau."
"So, all I did was go up there and tell them, because I knew a lot of the people, to stay in line. They were there in the first place because I told them to vote early. So, I said to them, 'Please stay in line. Do not get discouraged. Your vote is important.'" continued Biancanello, who alleges that most of the voters in line were Republicans.
Stay in line and #Vote! They arrested me and I didn’t break any laws. I encouraged people to stay in line and vote because the Democrats were discouraging voters from in person voting today in Delaware County. In fact, the election worker told people in line to go to the… pic.twitter.com/pZoW8sA8Dy
— Val Biancaniello (@luckyvalpal) October 28, 2024
Delaware County election officials exited the government center every half an hour to inform voters standing in queue of the wait time, which swelled to two hours as the line grew, and warned them that there would be additional waiting periods even after they made it through the queue.
Officials also encouraged voters in line to travel to satellite voting centers that had shorter lines and wait times.
Biancanello responded with indignation at these instructions, which she claims are reflective of voter suppression.
"I heard it with my own ears," said Biancaniello. "Like, is this guy kidding me?"
Election bureau workers telling anyone in line that they “should only be in this line for a pressing reason” is a FALSE statement and blatant voter suppression! VOTE! Do not let anyone intimidate you or discourage you from voting! #Trump #SwampTheVote #Pennsylvania #Delco…
— Val Biancaniello (@luckyvalpal) October 28, 2024
Biancanello was then arrested by Park Police after being accused of electioneering by a voter standing in line. She was then handcuffed and told that she would be charged with disorderly conduct.
"We take voting rights very seriously in Delaware County. Voters have a right to participate in our democracy without being harassed or intimidated, and we applaud our Park Police for calming the disturbance and allowing voting to continue without disruption," said Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor.
"Providing a safe and convenient voting experience is our top priority," added Delaware County Director of Elections James Allen. "That's why we have Voter Service Centers in multiple locations throughout the County, where voters can speak with knowledgeable Election staff for assistance—whether they need to request or replace a mail ballot or get answers to any election-related questions. These centers are open six days a week, and we want every voter to know that they will find a safe, welcoming environment at all of our locations."
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