Nearly six years and many unsuccessful Pennsylvania lawsuits related to the 2020 election later, President Donald Trump is still making baseless claims that his loss to Joe Biden in 2020 was the result of election fraud. During a prime time speech last Thursday to drum up support for his SAVE America Act—which critics say would create unnecessary barriers to voting for low-income individuals, rural residents, people of color, young voters, and those who lack easy access to physical citizenship documents—Trump again claimed that Pennsylvania has tens of thousands of noncitizens on its voter rolls.
Both Pennsylvania’s Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and Republican Secretary of State Al Schmidt invited the Trump administration to share concrete evidence to back up Trump’s claims, with Shapiro offering this reminder to Pennsylvania voters:
“ Back in 2020, when Donald Trump lost the election here in Pennsylvania, he and his enablers went to court and sued [Pennsylvania] 43 different times…to try and throw out your votes, to try and thwart the will of the people here in Pennsylvania. Trump went 0 and 43. I went 43 and 0, and we defended your right to vote, and we will again.”
With the midterms approaching and the president again trying to cast doubt on the integrity of elections here in the commonwealth, we asked Keystone newsletter readers:
How confident are you that Pennsylvania’s election process is fair and secure?
Here’s what they had to say (answers have been edited for length and clarity):
“I’m confident that our current president is in office because of our outdated electoral college. I’m also fully confident that whatever he says is best ignored as it is generally lies with no basis in fact.” — Tom O’Malley, NEPA
“Extremely confident. We went to paper ballots a few years back to create an audit trail. Trump’s strategy now is to undermine confidence since he is so significantly underwater.” — Kevin, Limerick
“I am extremely confident. Having worked at the polls in the recent past and knowing people who have worked Pa. polls for years, there are safeguards in place and rules that poll workers follow to a T. After multiple lawsuits in Pa. alone and voting records over the years, no significant voter fraud has been identified nor proven. Are there sometimes issues? Yes. However our systems find them and correct them. Actual voting fraud is extremely rare, and I have seen nothing to make me think differently. I believe the biggest issue is how many Americans do not vote, especially for local elections.” — Joanne M., Hilltown
“I’m very confident! Trump’s voter fraud claims are baseless. He can’t show proof of his claims.” — Lisa Van Clief, King Of Prussia
“I am very confident that Pennsylvania runs secure elections. The corruption is in the Mar-a-Lago mafia trying to corrupt all they can get their hands on.” — Brian Jones,
Indiana
“I have absolutely no confidence in our system. Please enact the SAVE act!” — Kellie, Erie
“We feel confident that Pa. always has free and fair elections and have never been concerned about any lack of election integrity, ever! What concerns us more is that Trump is once again trying to sow seeds of doubt about elections all across this country with no evidence that he can prove that fraud is occurring.” — Shelley, Centre County
“I believe Pennsylvania’s elections are fair and accurate. We have had several investigations that have attested to this. We do not need the SAVE act; indeed it would do more harm than good.” — Susan, York County
“I’m confident we have secure elections in this state. In person and mail-in (voting) are done with integrity. I appreciate those who work at our polling station.” — Ruth, Northumberland
“I do believe Pa. elections are secure and the orange madman should have been evaluated for mental health and removed long ago.” — Kristin Lauersen, Wayne County
“Unlike the fragile orange man-baby who lost and can’t face it, I am 100% confident in both Pennsylvania’s and our nation’s election process. Oh, sure, there may be missed or forged ballots out there occasionally, but as a whole it has always worked fairly. The fact that we have recounts which trigger automatically in very close results is comforting. No one running in an election has ever cried as loudly even before an election started as our current loser.” — Mark, Harrisburg
“I believe Pennsylvania elections are fair and secure. Donald Trump’s claims are a distraction from his grift, and all the other illegal and unconstitutional actions he has taken.” — Patrice Addeo, Levittown
“I have served at elections in Wyoming and Nevada and am absolutely sure that no votes were illegal. Now I am back in Pennsylvania and have voted in three election cycles and have no reason to believe that the election boards do a great job to keep elections legal.” — Louise Seidel, Berks County
“I wholeheartedly believe that Pennsylvania has had and will have moving forward free and fair elections. This includes mail-in voting which is vital to older voters, homebound voters, disabled voters, and any other voters that find it difficult to go to the polls to vote.” — Sandra Cordier, Cumberland County
“I do not consider them fair and free. Everyone should vote in person or be granted an exception that can be verified before Election Day. There is no reason why people cannot prove citizenship when voting; this should be a topic that everyone can agree on. While I agree the majority of the state is doing a good job securing election results, there are clearly places where that is not true and I think the governor and secretary of state (and others) are misrepresenting the facts.” — Kristine H., Lansdale
“I have full confidence in the integrity and security of Pennsylvania’s elections. The rantings of the buffoon in the White House won’t change that.” — Steve R., Erie
“I have worked as an elections clerk and I am absolutely certain that the election process and the people who administer it are committed to ensuring that our elections are both accurate and secure. This is borne out by audits of previous elections.” — John Boddie, Willow Street
“As long as our state government is not composed of election deniers and blind followers of Trumpism who have proven time and time again that they will lie, cheat, and attack on his behalf, I have full confidence in our elections being secure. I will, however, lose that confidence if these morons are put in charge or if we have armed military personnel at our poll stations.” — Laurie, Jamestown
“I trust the election process and believe it to be fair. I am frightened by the baseless claims that Donald Trump makes, which are then shared across all media outlets. The corruption and lies within the Trump administration will in itself disrupt the voting process for disenfranchised individuals and marginalized populations. I appreciate the opportunity to vote by mail. That is how I will continue to vote.” — Sharon Juli, Glenshaw
“I’m 100% confident that Pennsylvania’s elections are and have been free, and uncompromised.” — Pam T., Westmoreland County
“If everything is on the up and up then why not voter ID? Seems like it would be a fair safeguard.” — Helmut M., Pennsylvania
“Pa.’s elections are secure and fair because I trust my local, honest neighbors to monitor and work the polls.” — Patricia Lobodinsky, Spring Grove
“As a poll worker, I can tell you that it is absolutely fair and secure.” — Norman, Allegheny County
“As someone who has worked the elections for the past seven years, I can say they are very secure. We attend training prior to every primary and election to ensure we understand the procedures and any new facets. We verify each voter. If anything is wrong, we contact the county elections hotline and receive instructions for handling the situation. We count every ballot, make sure none are missing, and audit everything after the polls close. I know our election process is secure and accurate.” — Pamela C., Norwood
“I don’t trust all the mail-in ballots, and I firmly believe in voter ID at the polls.” — Lynda H., Scranton
“Not confident whatsoever when the request to produce ID has so much pushback. What is the problem? ONLY US CITIZENS MUST BE ALLOWED TO VOTE IN US ELECTIONS. PERIOD!” — Stephanie Pinault, Pittsburgh
“I am not confident at all! I believe President Trump is right. Mail-in ballots, no ID requirements, and NO uniformity countrywide are the problems. There should be NO mail-in ballots, except for people too ill to get out, military stationed away from home, and others who are away. One can always go to their courthouse and vote ahead of the election if they won’t be present to vote, as I have done numerous times while splitting my time between Pennsylvania and Virginia. I want to show ID when I vote. It should be mandatory. We have to show ID everywhere we go. Why not for our most important job as a citizen of the USA?” — Karen, Clarion County
“I believe President Trump is definitely correct regarding elections in Pa. I do not believe that the present governor knows how to tell the truth. And I absolutely believe that the election vote tallying (process) in Pa. must change and be cleaned out. How to do that, I do not know.” — Kathy Callis, Fawn Grove
“I am not entirely confident that our elections are tamper-proof. Every time Republicans cry foul, an investigation is launched, and it seems the only tampering that is found has been done by Republicans. Since Trump is once again crying foul, I suspect that his underlings are hard at work trying to give him a win the only way he can get it—by cheating. And yes, I believe he is trying for a third term. He never let a little thing like law stop him before.” — MaryAnn B., Emmaus
“Extremely confident, and there is no need for the ridiculous SAVE act.” — Cindy B., Mifflinburg
“I am extremely confident in the safety and security of elections in Pennsylvania. I have been a poll worker and saw first hand how carefully registrations are checked and ballots are handled.” — Joan Miller, State College
“I believe that our elections are completely fair and secure and that Trump’s rhetoric is just a diversion and division tactic.” — Laura K. Hatton
“I am very confident that we have fair elections in Lehigh County. I have personally visited the Lehigh County voter registration office and interacted with staff. They are always professional and helpful. Also, I have been a poll greeter for many election cycles in Center Valley. One election I was a poll watcher in the same precinct and I saw first hand how well run the process is. The judge of elections answered any concerns that voters had. Pa. elections are run securely!!” — Roberta Barnes, Center Valley
“I do not believe Pennsylvania’s elections are fair throughout the state. Shady practices and outright fraud were in fact reported at many election places for the 2020 election then swept under the rug. Voter ID is essential to election integrity and there is no excuse for not requiring it when you can not get on a plane let alone go through airport security to get to the plane (without it). You can’t get an ID without proper identification of who you are, you can’t open a bank account or get a credit card. You can’t get services in a hospital or doctor’s office without a government ID. To vote without proof that you are an American citizen should not even be questioned. Let’s pass the SAVE America Act. Enough of the excuses!” — Mary Ann D., Gilbertsville
“I’m very confident. The election or court judgment is fair if (Trump) wins and rigged if he loses.” — Bonnie, Clearfield County
“I am very confident that the elections are secure. I feel Trump will use this excuse to corrupt our elections so he can stay in power or put his family in power and finish the country off. He is not to be trusted with his illegal actions against the average American—taking their right to vote away.” — LaRue, Coplay
“I am very confident our elections are safe. I work the polls. We receive training and follow the guidelines. Erie County does a great job.” — Dan, Fairview Township
“Common sense is a lot like deodorant. The people who need it most never use it. The election process is not rigged, it is working as intended. The common man has just as much say as any elite. I’m sorry if the outcome was not what you wanted. Get over it. VOTE and let your voice be heard!” — Dave Lloyd, Chalfont
“The elections are extremely fair. I have no doubt about this. I have longtime friends who have been working at the polls for years. The process is very smooth and I have total confidence in the committed workers. They’re friendly, helpful, and handle themselves professionally.” — Susann W., Bucks County
“There’s zero evidence of any widespread voter fraud, etc. Facts are stubborn things, and it’s a fact that elections are not rigged. If it’s so rigged against the GOP, how do they end up winning so many elections? If it’s so rigged then where is the evidence? I’ve yet to see a shred of evidence of widespread fraud. The only people who think it’s rigged are folks who blindly follow Trump and listen to every word he says without question.” — Jack Port, Mechanicsburg
“To think that our election process in the US is secure is ridiculous, let alone just Pa. I watched the numbers flip on the 2020 election in real time. Others have also recorded this. There is so much proof that has been accumulated. I delivered this research to the Erie County Board of Elections, the sheriff’s office, and the Erie County legislature. Nothing was ever done about it.” — Danielle M.
“I am confident in Pa.’s election process. It just seems funny that certain people question it when they lose. I do believe (President Trump) will do everything in his power to sow disbelief enough for elections to disappear. These actions against the people need to stop.” — Joni Horne, New Bridgeville
“I think the election process is safe and fair. However it would not hurt to require an ID. (But) the ID must be free and easy to get. Perhaps a mobile truck could go to (rural) places.” — Tom, Easton
“Our elections have always been secure in Pa. I’ve been voting since I turned 18 in Pa. and lived in different areas including many areas where businesses employed seasonal workers for decades and in all the different places I voted I never saw an influx of immigrants flooding in to vote. Typical Republican mantra: Tell a lie enough times and eventually people will believe it. And as usual the few voter fraud convictions have been Republicans.” — John Six, Central Pa.
“I think whether you believe the electoral process is fair and secure, or that it’s rigged, often depends on whether you’re a D or an R and if your party is in office. I’m definitely more skeptical overall about all our institutions. A lot of people don’t want to hear about it, but there has been a lot of smoke about the Dominion machines. And there were definitely strange things that happened in many swing states on election night 2020 (vote counting being stopped for hours, and then Biden coincidentally taking the lead in all of those states once counting started again). But since Biden won, most Ds don’t want to hear about that. But the damaging thing for the Republic is even the appearance of impropriety. Once half the voting population starts questioning the fairness of elections, then trust in the Democratic processes goes down that much more. And this only matters if you actually think elections make a difference. I am now a George Carlinian and believe that the elites pretty much own Congress and for all intents and purposes, it really doesn’t make much difference anymore who’s sitting in the executive or legislative branches.” — Marty, Havertown
“I am very confident that Pennsylvania’s election process is fair and secure. My wife has worked for the county election bureau and has told me of the stringent measures that are taken to ensure election integrity. The strident voices questioning election security are doing so solely for political purposes, but just because your candidate lost does not mean the election was invalid. I am very dubious about the proposed solutions (making it more difficult to vote) to a problem that does not exist.” — Alan Halperin, Murrysville
“Not confident at all that the elections are secure. In California, Nevada, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania they found 250,000 non-citizens on the voter rolls. In New Jersey over 400 non- citizens voted in their elections. This is just the tip of the iceberg. The SAVE America Act must be passed.” — Maria, Cheltenham
“Since Trump won the presidency in 2016, I have become a disbeliever in everything. Just like the common man is told what to believe by politicians because we don’t have the knowledge of what is going on when we can’t see it. So too we can go into a facility and place our vote and walk out, but we do not know what happens to that machine or the people that are in charge of delivering the votes. So how can we be confident about something we don’t know enough about?” — Lynne M Lavery, south-central Pa.
“I do not believe Pa.’s elections are safe. At our last election there was a problem with the ballot machines accepting the ballots at our polling location. We were told I could either leave them in a box at the registration table and a staff person would put them through when the machine was working or we could come back later with our ballots and put them through ourselves. I had no confidence that my ballot would be put through. Our poll workers have changed on an almost yearly basis for at least the last five years. This past election was the worst. The gentleman who was signing us in had to ask me six times what my name was (my last name is four characters long). I spelled my name for him and he still couldn’t bring me up on the computer. I finally ended up writing it down. It took longer for me to register than to complete my ballot. Between the check-in process and the machine not working, I had no confidence in the procedure. I have voted for over 40 years and no one has ever cast my ballot and it was not going to happen this time or anytime in the future.” — R. Pope, Lehigh County
