Mihalek Wants PA Electoral College Vote Disputed In Congress

HARRISBURG, PA — State Rep. Natalie Mihalek is one of 75 state House and Senate Republicans who have signed a letter to Pennsylvania's congressional delegation calling for them to dispute the 2020 election results in Congress.

The Upper St. Clair Republican and the GOP contingent are requesting members of the delegation object to the state's Electoral College votes when a joint session of Congress meets Jan. 6 to count the electoral vote. The letter alleges that certain conduct "has undermined the lawful certification of Pennsylvania’s delegation to the Electoral College."

Specifically, the Republicans are objecting to Gov. Tom Wolf extending the deadline for mail-in ballots beyond 8 p.m. on Election Day; Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar encouraging the inspection of ballots on Election Day prior to the time designated under state law; the alleged inclusion of defective ballots in the certified vote count; and some counties prohibiting poll watchers from meaningfully observing pre-canvassing and canvassing activities.

GOP lawmakers sent a total of three letters, including one to the state's congressional delegation outlining the reasons why they should dispute the state of electors. A separate letter was sent to State Attorney General Josh Shapiro requesting he appoint an independent prosecutor to review any election irregularities, while another was sent to the state inspector general's office asking for a review of the Department of State's policies and procedures during the election.

The group argues that Gov. Tom Wolf set to undermine protections that were provided under a 2019 law that included a major expansion to mail-in voting. They also allege that some county boards of elections processed thousands of defective ballots.

"The unconstitutional actions of an activist court created confusion and delays for every voter in Pennsylvania," Speaker of the House Bryan Cutler, a Lancaster Republican, said in a news release. "These letters are a continuation of actions the Legislature has taken for months to restore our election law, and the public's trust in our election process."

Additional reporting: Peter Blanchard/Patch