HARRISBURG – Secretary of the Commonwealth Carol Aichele said more than 500 voters used the Department of State’s new online election complaint form to register concerns about possible problems in the Nov. 6 election.
“All of these complaints have been forwarded to the appropriate county board of election for review, and if county officials feel it is warranted, investigation,” Aichele said. “County boards of election, not the Department of State, are empowered under Pennsylvania law to investigate election complaints.”
As of Tuesday, Nov. 13, Aichele said 534 complaints had been filed using the new form since it went public Oct. 24.
“Our intention was to give voters a means to register their concerns, and I am pleased that a number of voters have done so,” Aichele said. She noted, however, that more than five and a half million Pennsylvanians voted in this year’s election, so 534 complaints represents a tiny fraction of the number of people who voted.
Aichele also emphasized that, while the Department of State has no power to investigate election complaints, election officials at the department will make available any information they have, if requested, to assist such investigations.
“We are aware of questions that are arising regarding very high turnout in some precincts, and unanimous vote counts in some of those precincts,” Aichele said. “I have confidence that all of our county election officials will look into any legitimate concerns on this or other issues. We will assist as requested by providing all relevant information.”
“All Pennsylvania voters have a responsibility to help make sure our elections are conducted fairly, and I am pleased more than 500 citizens took the time to express a concern and have that concern sent to their counties,” Aichele said.
The voter complaint form is available at www.dos.state.pa.us, or at www.votesPA.com, by clicking on “Election Complaints”.