Don't do it or you'll be prosecuted. That's my summary of a warning Lehigh County DA Jim Martin issued to ballot harvesters yesterday.
Until recently, the only way would you could vote was in person, at your designated polling pl;ace, on election day. There were exceptions for voters who were ill or outside the precinct. They could vote by absentee ballot. That was pretty much it.
This all changed in 2019. State lawmakers, who incidentally had a Republican majority, changed the Election Code to vastly expand voting opportunities. In addition to the traditional in-person vote, they permitted no-excuse mail-in ballots. They also provided for early voting at the elections office. They even authorized satellite offices, which the state supreme court interpreted to embrace unmanned drop boxes.
These changes have made it easier to vote. It's too soon to say whether more people will actually vote, but that certainly seems to be the case so far.
It's logical to conclude that, when you expand voting opportunities, you also increase the potential for mischief. So far, despite the claims of conspiracy theorists, there's been no evidence of widespread voting fraud. But there has been evidence of numerous instances of voters who are dropping off more than one ballot at drop boxes. While this is likely someone dropping off the votes of a family member, there is a potential for ballot harvesting.
While the law permits mail-in ballots and provides for drop boxes, you may only drop off your own ballot. There is an exception if you have a disability. You can authorize someone in writing to drop off your ballot for you.. .
At the request of Lehigh County's Elections Board, DA Martin assigned detectives to perform the laborious task of reviewing the video of the five drop box location to see if there was any evidence of people dropping off multiple ballots.
There was.
Martin's detectives watched the video of 4,026 voters who dropped off ballots, and determined that at least 288 (7.1%) deposited more than one ballot. Very few could be identified.
Martin's investigation revealed that there were 14,833 mail-in ballots deposited in the mail, not drop boxes. There is no video surveillance at most mailboxes.
In a report to Lehigh County's Elections Board in early April, DA Martin concluded that there were multiple violations of the Election Code's proscription against dropping off ballots for other voters, even a spouse. He notes that the best way to prevent this from happening is to have an elections official at the drop box location to receive the vote. Frankly, I believe that was the intention of the law as written because it refers to these as satellite offices. I believe there's a presumption that an office is manned.
Martin declined to prosecute the few voters whom detectives could identify because it would be unfair and unjust. In most cases, only two ballots were dropped off, indicating a spouse or household member. Moreover, there was no surveillance of mail boxes, where it's logical to conclude that multiple ballots were mailed. He noted that Governor Wolf's wife dropped off his ballot, and she was never prosecuted. He also noted that detectives found no "smoking gun", i.e. a party apparatchik dropping off numerous ballots.
But if you're thinking you can drop off someone else's ballot without facing the consequences, think again.
In a news release issued yesterday, Martin stated he will assign detectives to monitor the video at drop boxes during the primary. If anyone drops off ore than one ballot, he warns that person could be prosecuted for violating the Election Code. This could result in jail time of two years and/or a $2500 fine.
Martin is also recommending that elections officials have better warnings at drop boxes and that they reduce the hours of operation.
Martin's position on drop boxes is supported by his counterpart in Northampton County, District Attorney Terry Houck. "If there is a complaint or suspicion of voter fraud, it must be investigated," he states. He adds, however, that proving that a violation occurred would be very difficult based solely on video. "If there is evidence of criminal conduct, I will be all over it," he says, but warns against injecting politics into prosecutorial decisions.
The standard of proof in a criminal case is beyond a reasonable doubt.
The District Attorney;s Office traditionally gets involved in allegations of criminality in elections when there is a referral from the elections board. In the past, Martin has prosecuted an election judge who altered ballots and Houck has prosecuted a candidate over nomination petitions.
(Updated 6;36 am)
41 comments:
Voter intimidation is the answer to unsecured drop boxes that shouldn't exist? Alrighty then. Do DAs Martin and Houck look for a certain profile of drop box voter? I bet they do. Government rascals always rascalling. And they wonder why most citizens hate their guts. Lol.
Neither DA looks for anyone to profile. They react to referrals from their election boards. Martin got one. Houck did not. Both agree that allegations of criminality should always be investigated. The decision to have detectives watch video as people vote is completely unobtrusive and in no way intimidates anyone. As both of these prosecutors know, police officers must remain 100' away from polling locations precisely to avoid voter intimidation. That is the law and is specifically written into the Election Code. The best way to avoid a problem is to man these drop boxes, which are referred to uin the law as satellite offices. That way, there can be no violation.
“. . . there’s been no evidence of widespread voter fraud ? Maybe not where you’ve looked for it.
No, there has been no evidence of widespread voter fraud. There are individual instances, and ironically, many of these have been on behalf of Republicans as well as Democrats. It would be impossible to rig individual stand alone voting machines, as has been charged by nuts like Giuliani and Sidney Powell. Goofs like you make mysterious claims of voter fraud in places we are not looking but that you fail to identify yourself. Id there voter fraud? Yes, it happens in every election and in every system. But there simply is no evidence of an orchestrated organized voter fraud scheme as gullible people have been led to believe. This allegation is an insult to people from both parties who man the polls on election day and spend long hours to insure the system works.
Time to change the law to allow immediate family members to drop their spouses ballot off. The alternative is to go to the USPS where it is legal. I envision that even those with forms to drop of ballots for home bound will be twisted into more conspiracies. GOP should stop campaigning on voter suppression.
No news here. during the presidential election, there were people coming in to the rotunda with multiple ballots and were taking selfies of themselves holding them up like a deck of cards. Nothing like incriminating yourself....And they did NOT look like Trumpers
"There's no evidence of widespread voter fraud," indicates there is evidence of isolated voter fraud. And that's only based upon what is seen or reported. Meanwhile, nobody is watching drop boxes. If a tree falls in the forest and nobody is there to hear it, did it make a sound? What a crooked shitshow our elections have devolved into.
Bullshit the dems rigged the election with the liberal press-did not tell us about the Biden family fraud and Lehigh County was just a tip of the fraud iceberg.
"No news here. during the presidential election, there were people coming in to the rotunda with multiple ballots and were taking selfies of themselves holding them up like a deck of cards. Nothing like incriminating yourself....And they did NOT look like Trumpers"
Funny how none of these selfies made it to social media. I suspect you are being dishonest.
""There's no evidence of widespread voter fraud," indicates there is evidence of isolated voter fraud. "
Of course there is isolated voter fraud. That occurs in every election and it comes from both Democrats and Republicans. If you want to eliminate voter fraud entirely, you might as well stop conducting elections. I suspect that's what you want.
"Time to change the law to allow immediate family members to drop their spouses ballot off. The alternative is to go to the USPS where it is legal. "
It is illegal to drop off anyone's ballot other than your own, whether it is at a drop box or mail box. I agree the law should be changed for immediate family members, but the law must be followed and you could be prosecuted if caught in violation.
"Bullshit the dems rigged the election with the liberal press-did not tell us about the Biden family fraud and Lehigh County was just a tip of the fraud iceberg."
I see. So this all comes down to Hunter Biden's laptop. He must have a very powerful processor. There is zero evidence that Democrats rigged this election. That just stretched credulity to the breaking point. Such a massive conspiracy would require the silence of millions of pollworkers from both parties. It is just sheer nonsense.
Do I think the introduction of mail-in ballots presents more opportunity for mischief? Yes. They also make it easier for people to vote, and that's what really bothers you. Violations are isolated. And while it is unlawful for a husband to drop off his wife's ballot, that's hardly voter fraud. I know people who did this quite innocently
Forget about party affiliation or who made the remarks, but isn’t it amazing that some in Lehigh County immediately went to voter intimidation/suppression regarding DA Martin’s caution about observing ballot drop-offs. Are you intimidated by a security officer in a bank or a store, by a Walmart greeter, by “event staff” at an athletic event or a concert? Do those folks now complaining honestly believe people will refuse or be scared to vote because someone is ensuring compliance with an election law, albeit one that probably needs review anyway. How about this legislative change - replace the drop-off boxes with the only alternative to voting in person or by mail (when allowed) being a requirement to take your ballot to your local Elections Office and hand it to an employee while showing an ID card. Oh, wait.
Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan. Unless you know what these states all have in common there is nothing to say that might change your thinking.
There was no evidence of widespread voter fraud in any of these states. None. Despite all the audits and allegations, there simply was no orchestrated voter fraud in any state. What bothers you is they voted Trump out, and he is the biggest crybaby in the world.
I'm against mail in ballots. I'm ok with ballots being mailed to people who request it, but they should be dropped off at 3 or 4 secure box locations only. The mail these days leaves much to be desired.
I don't see what's wrong with "harvesting." If they are real votes by real voters, who cares how they got turned in to be counted.
When the harvesters start filling in blank mail in ballots is where the problem is. We must go back to vote in person, with proof of identification. No if’s ands or buts. MUST!
When I pick up a prescription, I am asked for ID. Even When I board a plane or when I use a credit card at times, I need an ID to drive. People know this, so get your life in order if that is IF you want to be a responsible person. Otherwise be the bottom dweller you are and climb back under your rock.
Yes I believe that the last election there was massive fraud. I believe the election was rigged. I believe we have a false President in office. But I also believe that the red tsunami will be much larger than you ever anticipated.
Martin z
There with my name.
Well, Bernie@8:57, there really is evidence of illegal ballots being counted in numbers substantial enough to probably overturn elections in those places. I know you can never accept that, and that’s OK with me. An increasing amount of citizens every day know this to be true. Both of us here know, nothing will be done about it. I expect the same to happen again, hopefully in lesser amount.
Steve is not representative of the majority of the Republican Party, Bernie. His unhinged attempts at name calling (no class) of good, upstanding candidates such as Kevin Dellicker just support the fact that he is not fit to hold any public office.
"Well, Bernie@8:57, there really is evidence of illegal ballots being counted in numbers substantial enough to probably overturn elections in those places."
Once again, there has been no evidence of widespread voter fraud anywhere./ On its face, your claim to the contrary is patently ridiculous. Use your head for once and think about this. You are positing that a concerted effort was made in several key states to engage in election fraud. This conspiracy would require a vast number of participants and by now, at least a few of them would have confirmed these ridiculous allegations.
If you want to argue that drop boxes should be limited or eliminated, you have a point. There is a danger of ballot harvesting.
If you think MIBs should be eliminated, then you have that right. I'd disagree, but reasonable minds can come to different conclusions. You have no right to lie. You have no right to spout nonsense that, if you used your own head, you'd know to be necessarily false. There simply was no vast election fraud conspiracy. Drop it already. Start thinking.
BernieOHare- posting anon bc I am unable to sign in at this time - this story has nothing to do with Hunter Biden or his laptop. That’s what you folks do. When you start losing one argument, you try to change the subject.
It's not the drop boxes. It's counting ballots behind shielded windows, and not in the presence of bipartisan observation, as was the case in Philadelphia and Allegheny Counties. Dirdy dirdy dirdy. That which is not permitted to be seen cannot be used as evidence. And they know this.
12:41, You are being patently absurd. The canvass takes place in front of a minority and minority inspector. If someone was playing games one of these officials would cry foul. Your contention is that the fraud occurs during the canvass. This would require thousands of inspectors to cheat and certify false returns. That is sheer nonsense. By now, there would be numerous "tell alls" on the market. There aren't bc it does not happen. Use your head, if you have one. There is no widespread conspiracy involving thousands of election workers. That, incidentally, is an insult to many GOP elections workers.
You seem to think that you can drop in on a canvass and that you somehow know everything even though you probably have only started voting recently and don't really know what you';rew talking about. You claim "dirdy, dirdy." My response is "stupid, stupid."
And there certainly was bipartisan observation in Philly. There are minority inspectors for every precinct canvassed. You're spouting nonsense.
There is absolutely no reason why LCDA should be waisting. time on this BS. There is no voter fraud in the US.
If the Republican focus on voter fraud it will be a "recipe for disaster in 2022.
This Blog is a fraud Biden is destroying our country on every issue and Bernie you will not admit. You either hate the American people or you one dumb son of a bitch.
Bernie you ard your followers better start watching the FIVE -- you need help.
Bernie—— it’s seems there is a consensus here. These comments come from people from all walks of life and different economic conditions, working blue collar workers to business people to retired to college kids. People are now realizing the truth because it is now hitting everyone hard and they are finally watching the news as to why these issues are happening as well as how corrupt this current government is. Where is the common sense in anything this administration has done. People now see this. People now feel this. People see things now in a different light. The people are tired, the people are frustrated, the people know they cannot get ahead in this economic crisis we are in.
I was a party election watcher at the last election. In Bethlehem Township at Farmersville School I was able to review the election returns on my own district but when I went to the other side of the gym, they would not let me view that district. Wonder why? What were they hiding. I could give you some reasons, but it’s not worth the retaliation or aggravation I will receive.
MZ
Off topic, but the blog mentor got his, huh?
The documentary, 2000 Mules, will be released Monday. It will describe the vast mail ballot fraud conspiracy we have been hearing about. It will focus on six swing states. We are about to get more focus on this matter.
Kudos to Martin...if we aren't gonna follow and enforce the laws then why have them? Let the courts decide legality of our laws. You can't go to Walmart without having your picture taken on their self check out kiosks we should have that same level of security on our ballot boxes...should never just be a mail box to drop something in...it should be scanned and proper video or id taken.
Well at least Lehigh County DA Jim Martin successfully sued Mr. Lehigh Valley scum bag, prevaricator, disinformation expert, Trump ass kisser and all around hypocrite who worships the almighty dollar and cares not for the little people - Bobby (Gunther) Walsh, I pray that his program is wiped off the air ASAP. He is totally useless to humanity. Thank you DA Jim Martin you are the man of the week. God bless you.
They are good at deflecting
Thank-you! Someone with common sense
@7:11 200 mules is for 2,000 arses who believe the spew of the laying skum bags who wrote it. It is there way of reaking more money . They have been dirt balls before they ever put this latest spew together.
Start by executing the politicians who conducted voter fraud for the most minor of any infraction. Including tRump who register from a place that was not residence when he registered. Then start resolving the rest of the problems. I don't give a crap which side you are on but until you are willing to admit your own are just as dirty and need to be dealt with extremely harshly this will never be resolved. If you accept your own being able to cheat and steal then you are worse then those which you vilify.
Jim the Shiny Nosed DA can't prosecute those he has on tape from last time. He and his bulbous shiny red nose won't be prosecuting anybody this time, either. This is a nothing burger. Everyone knows drop boxes can't be secured, will soon be made illegal, and are going away. Stop the madness. They get one more chance to defraud the electoral system. Then, they'll be gone before Democrats can use them for nefarious purposes, again.
@5;10 am accept the fact that the republicans are just as much of a problem. Until you admit that you might as well side with Putin, Hitler, Xi, and Jung Un like your boys Trump, Gaetz, Carlson, Hannity, Cawthorn and your girls Boebert and Greene.
"In most cases, only two ballots were dropped off, indicating a spouse or household member. "
Mere speculation on your part. There is no evidence either way that this statement is true. You are speculating that, something you accuse those who hold differing opinions from your own.
"So far, despite the claims of conspiracy theorists, there's been no evidence of widespread voting fraud. "
Just because there is no evidence of this does not lead to the conclusion that it didn't happen. The word-smithing here is quite shocking from a former attorney. If you had said that no evidence has come to light, perhaps that's a possible statement, though it still has bias. Truth is, there may be widespread voter fraud but it has not been investigated nor has it even been discovered. Your entire opening statements admit that it's "possible", much like Henry Fonda in "12 angry men" shouting "it's possible, isn't it, that he didn't kill his father?" The analogy would be a row home in Rundown Allentown is burned to the ground, there's an empty 5-gallon gasoline container sitting in the front yard with an open box of matches and you proclaim "There's no evidence of arson here".
Yeah, I get it.
This is not speculation, but fact. I have the report prepared by detectives, who compared the count from each box to what they saw on the video. In most cases of multiple ballots,l there were only two. That is a fact.
As to your other point, it is impossible to prove a negative. You should realize this. I can't prove I didn't murder or rape someone or rob a bank. But there is no evidence I did. So what you are suggesting is that the proof there is no widespread voter proof must be produced, this holding this argument up to even higher standards than in a criminal case.
Give it a rest.
Just got another comment from the person who basically claimed that facts are sheer speculation. I refuse to go down the rabbit hole with you. Go take your dishonesty in argument elsewhere.
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