LANCASTER, Pa. — Lancaster County election officials are facing scrutiny from the Commonwealth, after being accused of misleading voters at Franklin and Marshall College.
According to the Department of State, students and faculty have accused the county of requiring proof of deregistering to vote from another state and have a Pennsylvania driver's license before voting.
"It was a little shocking," said Laura Medvic. "I delivered forms last year without any question."
Medvic is the co-chair of the nonpartisan F&M Votes campaign. She said she first encountered an issue with student voter registration forms last week at the Lancaster County Government Center.
“I was greeted by a person with an office who informed me that there were voter registration forms we turned in previously that, until students provided proof that they canceled their voter registration, they would not be processed," said Medvic.
So far, the F&M Votes campaign has helped 260 students turn in voter registration forms. At this time, ninety-five students are still not registered to vote.
“Having that out there as a reason to deny a form was improper and not according to what the standards are," said Medvic.
In response, Secretary of State Al Schmidt sent a letter to the Lancaster County Commissioners.
“This is an inaccurate description of Pennsylvania law, and this situation demands your immediate attention to correct the misconception you have created," wrote Secretary Schmidt.
Pennsylvania law does not require voters to confirm they deregistered from another state or provide a state driver's license in order to vote.
Lancaster County Commissioner Ray D'Agostino said the situation has been misrepresented. He said the election office is processing registration forms as they come in and added that some applications have been pending due to needing more information.
This information includes a student's address and the last four digits of their social security number.
“Those that can be confirmed- were confirmed, and they’re registered to vote," said D'Agostino. "Those who are in a pending status need to fill out further information.”
Medvic said the Secretary of State is working with Franklin and Marshall College to resolve the issue before November.