Pennsylvania Governor’s Voter Registration Change Sparks Controversy Resonating with 2020 Election Discord

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In a replay of the 2020 election turmoil, former President Donald Trump has set his sights on Pennsylvania’s voting regulations. Trump’s relentless criticism of mail-in ballots during the COVID-19 pandemic, falsely attributing his 2020 loss to the state, continues to resurface. This time, he is targeting Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro’s decision to implement automatic voter registration without legislative approval.

The controversy bears striking resemblances to the 2020 election, during which Trump and his allies vociferously opposed the decisions made by Pennsylvania’s Democratic-majority Supreme Court. These decisions included extending the deadline for receiving mail-in ballots due to concerns about pandemic-related postal service delays.

Republicans have joined Trump in denouncing Shapiro’s move, citing concerns about insufficient safeguards against minors and undocumented immigrants registering to vote. The Shapiro administration, however, disputes these claims.

In a social media post, Trump asserted, “THE DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO STEAL PENNSYLVANIA AGAIN BY DOING THE ‘AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION’ SCAM.”

Some Republican lawmakers are contemplating legal action, arguing that Shapiro should have sought approval from the Legislature, which is divided between the parties. Additionally, both national and state Republican parties are seeking clarification from Shapiro’s administration on how they will ensure that non-U.S. citizens and minors cannot register to vote.

Ronna McDaniel, Chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, accused Shapiro of springing an “unclear and unnecessary last-minute rule change” on voters shortly before the November 7th election, which includes a race for a state Supreme Court seat. McDaniel criticized the first-term governor, stating that he prioritizes media attention over the security and transparency of Pennsylvania elections.

Democrats maintain that Shapiro’s authorization of automatic voter registration falls well within his legal authority. Some suggest that Republicans critical of this move may be seeking political cover, especially in the event of a Trump loss in the 2024 election, and using it as a means to raise campaign funds.

Automatic voter registration systems have been adopted by numerous states since 2015, including both left-leaning and Republican-controlled states. Georgia, for example, implemented this system in 2016 without encountering issues related to non-U.S. citizens registering to vote. Similar experiences have been reported in other states with automatic voter registration.

In Pennsylvania, citizens will encounter the change when visiting a driver’s license center for license issuance or renewal. A prompt on the computer will inform them that they will be registered to vote “unless they decline.”

The Shapiro administration contends that safeguards are already in place to prevent non-U.S. citizens and those under 18 from being registered. These protections date back to 2017, when the state resolved a glitch that might have inadvertently allowed thousands of non-U.S. citizens to register to vote.

While some Republicans in states with automatic registration systems express concerns about fraud and illegal voting, election researchers report no widespread evidence of such issues. The most common challenges include initial glitches in matching outdated information or providing unclear instructions to registrants.

Supporters of automatic voter registration argue that it offers a more secure, efficient, and cost-effective way to maintain accurate voter rolls.

In Pennsylvania, there are approximately 8.6 million registered voters, with over 1 million eligible but unregistered individuals. Left-leaning groups applaud the adoption of automatic registration, particularly for its potential to reduce voter registration disparities, especially in communities of color.

Studies have shown that automatic voter registration can increase registration rates, though the impact on actual voter turnout is modest. Nevertheless, even a small percentage increase can translate into tens of thousands of new voters participating in Pennsylvania’s elections—a potentially significant factor in closely contested races. In the 2020 election, Joe Biden won Pennsylvania by approximately 80,500 votes, while Trump secured victory in 2016 with a margin of about 44,200 votes.

Shapiro’s decision to implement automatic registration may face legal challenges, a common outcome for election law disputes in the state. The lack of public hearings, legislative involvement, or an educational campaign surrounding this change has fueled concerns about transparency, which could contribute to conspiracy theories.

As the situation unfolds, both sides remain vigilant, mindful of the potential impact on future elections.

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