**Wave of Misinformation Surrounds Voter Registration Investigations in Pennsylvania**
**HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP)** — Ongoing investigations into potential fraud in voter registration applications across three Pennsylvania counties have sparked a surge of online misinformation, partly fueled by comments from Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
Authorities in Lancaster, Monroe, and York counties are investigating whether any crimes were committed after identifying suspect registration forms. Lancaster County District Attorney Heather Adams, a Republican, reported that election workers flagged two sets of approximately 2,500 voter registration applications due to numerous similarities, prompting the county to alert nearby counties. In Monroe County, the Board of Elections identified around 30 irregular forms and referred them to the district attorney.
York County is also investigating suspect forms, with County Commissioner Julie Wheeler stating that questionable voter registration forms and mail-in ballot applications were part of a large batch of election materials from a third-party organization. Wheeler linked the documents to Field+Media Corps, acting on behalf of the Everybody Votes Campaign, a nonpartisan group focused on voter registration.
Field+Media Corps’ CEO Francisco Heredia said they had not been contacted by election officials but would cooperate if approached. The Everybody Votes Campaign also indicated it had received no communication from the counties under investigation.
**Trump’s Claims and Local Clarifications**
Trump, who has focused heavily on Pennsylvania’s electoral importance, posted on Truth Social, claiming “2600 Fake Ballots and Forms, all written by the same person” were found in Lancaster. However, county officials clarified they are investigating registration applications, not ballots. They emphasized that voter registration forms are not votes and some applications were verified as legitimate.
Lancaster officials stated some forms showed false names, suspicious handwriting, and incorrect details but disputed Trump’s assertion that all forms were from the same person.
**Legal Implications and Safeguards**
District Attorney Adams highlighted that forging voter registration forms is a third-degree felony with severe penalties, including possible prison time and fines. Former Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar noted that while phony registration forms can burden election workers, they do not increase the likelihood of voter fraud, as new registrants are thoroughly verified.
Pennsylvania’s Secretary of State Al Schmidt urged voters to rely on verified sources, warning that misinformation could undermine the integrity of democracy. He highlighted the state’s stringent measures to secure voter verification and emphasized that only eligible voters may vote, with each vote counted once.
These investigations continue as Pennsylvania officials seek to maintain the security and integrity of the voter registration and election processes.
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