PA Robocalls Seek To Suppress Mail-In Voters, Officials Warn

PENNSYLVANIA — State leaders are warning residents about fraudulent robocalls recently circulating in Pennsylvania spreading disinformation about mail-in voting.

The robocalls allege that the state will take personal information gathered from mail-in ballots and turn it over to law enforcement agencies, who will then somehow use it to make arrests on "outstanding warrants."

“Unfortunately, every election season brings a wave of disinformation purveyed by dishonest sources hoping to mislead voters and influence the election outcome,” Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar said in a statement.

Mail-in balloting has become a point of fiery partisanship in recent months, as Democrats encourage residents to vote by mail and many Republicans, including President Trump, condemn the process. The 2020 election is sure to see a historic number of mail-in ballots as health officials caution it's the safest way to vote amid ongoing coronavirus concerns. Critics say it is insecure and tantamount to election fraud; Democrats hold that such criticisms are an effort to suppress the vote.

In addition to threatening arrests, the robocalls also claim that mail-in voter information will be given to credit card companies looking to collect debts.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said that police were investigating the robocalls.

“These false and targeted robocalls are another desperate tactic to scare eligible Americans from participating in the election,” Shapiro said, reiterating his confidence in the mail-in process. “Don’t listen to their lies - vote. We will protect every eligible ballot. All Pennsylvanians can be confident that voting by mail is safe, secure, and legal."

Shapiro's office, with the backing of other Pennsylvania Democratic leaders, filed a lawsuit last month to prevent U.S. Postmaster Louis DeJoy from making any operational changes at the U.S. Postal Service that would impact the election. DeJoy said that his proposed changes were in line with typical measures the Postal Service had introduced in the past, but said that nothing would go forward until after the Nov. 3 election.

The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is seven days before the Nov. 3 election. You can register to vote in person or to request a ballot online at VotesPa.com.

Any suspected election scams or disinformation campaigns should be reported to local law enforcement or the Pennsylvania Department of State at 877-VOTESPA.