The state of Pennsylvania is conducting an audit of its automatic voter registration system due to rising concerns about noncitizen registration. The program was initiated by Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, allowing individuals applying for driver’s licenses or ID cards at PennDOT to be automatically registered unless they opt out.
Critics have voiced concerns that this process may lead to noncitizens being registered unintentionally. A recent report highlighted that over 628,000 noncitizens in Pennsylvania hold driver’s licenses or IDs, raising alarms about the integrity of voter rolls.
Auditor General Timothy DeFoor has announced that the audit will cover the automatic registration system from January 1 to June 30. The audit aims to evaluate compliance with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 and determine whether the registration process effectively excludes noncitizens.
While the audit is critical, it is unlikely to have any impact on the upcoming 2024 elections. DeFoor has set a meeting deadline for October 4, and PennDOT will have 120 business days to respond to the audit findings.
Concerns have also been raised about the potential for confusion during the registration process. Applicants must confirm their citizenship, and those who respond “no” face a prompt to cancel their voter registration, which may not be clearly understood by everyone, particularly those with language barriers.
The Federalist reached out to PennDOT for comments regarding the audit and its expected findings but has yet to receive a response. As Pennsylvania prepares for the election, the scrutiny of voter registration practices underscores the importance of ensuring a fair electoral process.
