In Lancaster County, Pennsylvania—home to a large Amish community—the District Attorney’s Office and Lancaster County Board of Elections announced an ongoing investigation into potentially fraudulent voter registration applications, according to Fox News. During a recent press conference, Lancaster County District Attorney Heather Adams and the Board of Elections revealed that about 2,500 registration forms, submitted just before Pennsylvania’s Oct. 21 voter registration deadline, are suspected of being falsified. The scrutiny comes amid heightened national attention on election integrity.
According to District Attorney Adams, staff flagged the suspicious applications due to consistent handwriting across forms and unusual entries within the same timeframe. In a press statement, Adams highlighted several “confirmed indicators of fraud,” including inaccurate addresses, falsified personal identification information, and Social Security numbers that did not correspond to the names provided. Investigators noted that some forms contained accurate personal information; however, individuals contacted later denied initiating the applications themselves. Adams estimated that 60% of the applications under review might be fraudulent, as reported by News 8.
Lancaster County Commissioner Josh Parsons emphasized the seriousness of the issue, calling the fraudulent applications a “threat to our election system.” He credited the county’s election staff for identifying and responding to the discrepancies, underscoring the county’s commitment to election security. “If we have clearly fraudulent applications on their face, that is a problem,” Parsons remarked. “We’re proud of them for doing that.”
Concerns about voter registration fraud have also surfaced in neighboring York County, where county officials are currently investigating suspicious election materials submitted by a third-party organization. York County President Commissioner Julie Wheeler issued a statement noting that election officials there had received thousands of items, including completed registration forms and mail-in ballot applications, also arriving before the registration cutoff. “If suspected fraud is identified, we will alert the District Attorney’s Office, which will then conduct an investigation,” Wheeler stated.
The York County District Attorney’s Office acknowledged its ongoing collaboration with the county commissioners and the Board of Elections. They reaffirmed their readiness to launch criminal investigations into any potential election fraud and, if necessary, pursue prosecution. However, York County officials remain tight-lipped on the specifics as the initial review continues.
As Pennsylvania’s 19 electoral votes often swing national elections, the state has become a focal point in the lead-up to November. In recent years, Pennsylvania has oscillated between parties in presidential races, underscoring the significance of voter confidence and election integrity.
