Claims of rampant voter fraud ‘without merit,’ says top Pa. election official

Pennsylvania Secretary of State Pedro Cortes speaks at a Capitol news conference to respond to allegations that the state's election results could be rigged

Pennsylvania Secretary of State Pedro Cortes speaks at a Capitol news conference to respond to allegations that the state's election results could be rigged

Pennsylvania’s chief elections official is working to assure voters that, come Nov. 8, polls in the commonwealth will be secure.

Voter fraud has come up time and again this election season.

That’s thanks in no small part to the GOP presidential nominee, who mentions the commonwealth often on the campaign trail.

“You’ve gotta watch your polling booth because I hear too many stories about Pennsylvania,” he said during one campaign stop.

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He also asked people to “get your friends … get everybody you know” to keep the polls free of any funny business.

Pennsylvania Secretary of State Pedro Cortés largely avoided mentioning Trump, although he did call the businessman’s comments “irresponsible.”

Implying that fraud is rampant is “not only wrong, it is also dangerous,” Cortés said.

He also had some words for reporters.

“After the 2000 election, people wanted the next Florida,” he said. “Sorry if we didn’t give you much to write about. We run good elections in Pennsylvania. We have done so historically. We will do so again.”

Cortés added that voter intimidation is a federal crime.

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