Thousands of voter registration forms are under investigation in Lancaster County | Berks Regional News

LANCASTER CO., Pa. – Thousands of suspicious voter registration forms are being investigated in Lancaster County. Authorities say they were able to catch fraudulent documents before any votes could be cast under false identities. The forms were handed over to the election office in what appears to be an “orchestrated effort”.

Officials say two other unnamed counties are investigating similar claims. At this time, we have not heard any reports of any such incidents in Berks County.

Lancaster County authorities said they are identifying and investigating incidents of suspected voter registration fraud in Lancaster County.

“The handwriting on the signatures is what really started to inform our staff.” Lancaster County Commissioner Ray D’Agostino says.

Approximately 2,500 voter registration forms were contained and separated.

“Inaccuracies with addresses listed on applications, false personally identifiable information.” says Lancaster County District Attorney Heather Adams.

These applications go through an extensive multi-step review process, detectives check for duplicate handwriting that matches other voter registration forms, signatures inconsistent with what is recorded in the Statewide Uniform Registry of Electors system, addresses inaccurate or unverifiable and inaccurate driver’s license or Social Security Numbers.

About 3 out of 5 of the apps that have been fully investigated so far have had problems. Other applications among the 2,500 have been verified as accurate and are processing normally.

“If you have been approached by someone and asked to register under suspicious circumstances, we want to hear from you.” says Adams.

For those worried about their vote, the electoral vote chairman says no eligible voter will be turned away,

“Voter registration referrers were hired and paid to obtain voter registration applications, the majority of registrations were from Lancaster City residents, applications were also received from Columbia and Elizabethtown residents.” says Adams.

You can check your registration status on the Pennsylvania Voter Services website.

A Lancaster County commissioner says in a statement,

“Following this morning’s press conference, I want to reiterate that incidents of fraud do occur between parties, and our finding shows that our system works and is secure.”

“I think that honestly shows how seriously we take this.” says D’Agostino.