Harrisburg, PA – Following the attempted assassination of former President Trump this past weekend, the Shapiro Administration – including the Pennsylvania Department of State (DOS), Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) – have been working diligently to mitigate any threats to the election process and are reminding Pennsylvanians of the resources available to them during this time.
“Political violence has no place in Pennsylvania – the birthplace of American democracy – nor anywhere else across this country," said Governor Josh Shapiro. “While individuals may have profound disagreements and differences about our politics, the way we address those disagreements in this country must be peaceful, through the political process. My Administration stands ready to make sure Pennsylvanians have the freedom and opportunity to express their political views peacefully and to participate in safe and secure elections."
Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt said the Department of State (DOS) encourages anyone involved in the electoral process – whether they’re an election director, a candidate, a poll worker, or a registered voter – to immediately report threats of physical violence to DOS and appropriate law enforcement partners.
Pennsylvanians can call DOS to report voter intimidation, election fraud, or other election crimes at 1-877-VOTESPA or file an election complaint on DOS’s website.
“Threats of physical violence should always be taken seriously, and law enforcement personnel stand ready to investigate such threats,” said Secretary Al Schmidt. “Then, law enforcement can do their job so our election workers can get back to doing their job of running safe, secure, and fair elections.”
Pennsylvanians should also contact law enforcement if they feel they are in immediate danger. PSP reminds Pennsylvanians of the following:
- If you or another are in danger, dial 911 and report it to local authorities immediately.
- Always be vigilant of your surroundings and know your location. If you need to report a crime, knowing surroundings, such as street names and landmarks, would be beneficial to law enforcement.
- Trust your gut. If a situation just doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
“As election season approaches, the Pennsylvania State Police’s top priority is ensuring all residents of Pennsylvania feel safe in their communities,” said Colonel Christopher Paris, Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. “Those working polling stations or canvassing neighborhoods should remain aware of their surroundings, prioritize their well-being, and call 911 if in danger.”
PEMA works closely with state agency partners to ensure that county elections and emergency management officials have open lines of communication and the tools they need to ensure safe and secure operations throughout election season.
“Maintaining a comprehensive understanding of potential disruptions to the electoral process, no matter what the cause, is key to preventing and resolving those disruptions as rapidly as possible,” said PEMA Director Randy Padfield. “We appreciate the efforts of our partners to ensure that everyone can safely exercise their right to vote in Pennsylvania.”