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Trump Campaign Sues Centre County, Pa. Secretary Of State, & More Over Mail-In Voting

President Donald Trump’s campaign filed a lawsuit against Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar and seven counties Monday to block the certification of the state’s election results.

Trump’s campaign named Centre County in the suit, alongside Allegheny, Chester, Delaware, Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Northampton counties.

The suit alleges Pennsylvania officials implemented an “illegal two-tiered voting system” that placed stricter protocols, such as signature checks and poll watchers, on in-person voters than mail-in voters. Trump’s campaign alleged in-person voters, who were more likely to vote for the president, were treated less favorably than mail-in voters.

The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, also attempts to prevent state officials from certifying election results and eventually securing former Vice President Joe Biden’s victory. Pennsylvania, called for Biden Saturday morning, would push the Democratic nominee past the 270 necessary electoral votes to secure the presidency.

The 85-page lawsuit did not contain specific evidence of alleged voter fraud, according to the Associated Press. Documents allege one Centre County poll worker observed mail-in ballots being “improperly soiled” and said some voters reportedly admitted they New Jersey voters.

The Trump campaign’s suit also alleged Centre County’s pre-canvassing location, a ballroom at the Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center, didn’t provide “meaningful access” for observers.

Seemingly unaffected by the lawsuit, Centre County Commissioner Michael Pipe said his office plans to continue working to finalize unofficial election results and transmit them to the Pennsylvania Department of State by 5 p.m. Tuesday.

“We are focused on counting every vote and making democracy happen,” Pipe said.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, who was recently reelected, rebuked the Trump campaign’s claims and defended the state’s election policies.

“This is the latest meritless lawsuit to challenge Pennsylvania’s election, which was overseen by bipartisan election officials and was lawful, fair and secure,” Shapiro said in a statement. “For months, the vast majority of these lawsuits have been dismissed and found to have no merit by Courts at all levels, and this one is no different. I am confident Pennsylvania law will be upheld and the will of the people of the Commonwealth will be respected in this election.”

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf and Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney also dismissed the Trump campaign’s claims of alleged voter fraud.

The Trump campaign has filed similar lawsuits in other battleground states, including Georgia and Michigan, to stop vote counting. Courts have rejected those demands so far.

As of noon Tuesday, Biden leads Pennsylvania by nearly 45,000 votes. More than 78,000 Centre County residents voted in the election, and approximately 40,000 voted for Biden.

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About the Author

Matt DiSanto

Matt proudly served as Onward State’s managing editor for two years until graduating from Penn State in May 2022. Now, he’s off in the real world doing real things. Send him an email ([email protected]) or follow him on Twitter (@mattdisanto_) to stay in touch.

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