Pennsylvania To Audit Motor Voter Registration Amid Concerns Over Noncitizen Voters

Pennsylvania’s implementation of automatic voter registration has drawn mixed reactions, particularly regarding its potential impact on noncitizen voters. Following concerns that individuals who are not eligible to vote could be automatically registered, an audit has been announced to investigate the motor voter registration process in the state.

Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro initiated automatic voter registration in September 2023, which registers individuals applying for driver’s licenses or ID cards at PennDOT unless they opt out. This change has raised alarms among critics who worry that noncitizens might inadvertently be registered.

According to a Right-to-Know request, over 628,000 noncitizens in Pennsylvania hold a state driver’s license or non-driver’s ID, highlighting the urgency of the issue. The audit, announced by Pennsylvania Auditor General Timothy DeFoor, a Republican, will evaluate the motor voter registration system from January 1 to June 30.

The audit will assess the program’s compliance with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 and will specifically examine whether PennDOT’s voter registration interface effectively excluded noncitizens. However, the timing of the audit raises concerns; it is unlikely that the findings will affect the upcoming 2024 election, as DeFoor has set a deadline for PennDOT to respond to the audit within 120 business days.

The automatic registration process itself involves a computer interface where applicants are asked if they are citizens. Those who answer “no” face a prompt that asks if they wish to cancel their voter registration application, which may confuse individuals, especially those with language barriers. This raises the possibility that noncitizens may mistakenly believe they are eligible to vote.

The Federalist reached out to PennDOT for comments regarding the audit and its cooperation, but did not receive a response. As the state prepares for the election, the implications of these registration practices remain a critical concern for ensuring electoral integrity in Pennsylvania.