October 28, 2023 – PA Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt today issued a strong reminder for voters to be vigilant against election misinformation as the November 5 general election approaches. In a briefing, Secretary Schmidt emphasized the importance of relying on verified information sources, including official channels like the Pennsylvania Department of State and county election offices, to ensure voters are well-informed.
Secretary Schmidt pointed to a recent incident involving a fake video falsely claiming mail ballots were being destroyed in Bucks County, calling it a “blatant example of disinformation” intended to undermine voter confidence. He urged voters to scrutinize election-related claims online and to consult trusted sources before believing or sharing unverified content.
Schmidt stated, “Disinformation is designed to shake trust and suppress voter participation, and we anticipate it will continue to circulate in the coming days. I encourage all voters to rely on reliable sources for their election information.”
To aid counties in handling mail ballots and ensuring a smooth election process, Pennsylvania recently allocated $45 million in grant funding under Act 88. Counties are encouraged to apply these resources to improve ballot processing and safeguard the election’s integrity.
With these measures in place, Schmidt reassured voters that the upcoming election would be secure, free, and fair. He also reminded voters to observe key deadlines, including the October 29 deadline for mail ballot applications and the requirement for mail ballots to be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
The Pennsylvania Department of State will hold daily briefings leading up to Election Day, providing updates and addressing questions to support transparency and build public confidence in the electoral process.
