The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is set to audit its automatic voter registration system amid concerns about the registration of noncitizens. This initiative follows Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro’s implementation of automatic registration for individuals applying for driver’s licenses or ID cards at PennDOT, which has raised alarms among critics.
Under the new system, applicants are automatically registered to vote unless they opt out, leading to worries that noncitizens might be included on voter rolls. A report has shown that over 628,000 noncitizens in Pennsylvania possess state driver’s licenses or non-driver’s IDs, emphasizing the urgency of addressing this issue.
Auditor General Timothy DeFoor announced the audit, which will assess the implementation of the automatic registration program from January 1 to June 30. The audit will focus on compliance with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 and evaluate whether the voter registration process effectively excludes noncitizens.
While the audit is essential for maintaining voter integrity, its findings are unlikely to affect the upcoming 2024 election timeline. DeFoor has requested a meeting with PennDOT by October 4, and the department will have 120 business days to respond to the audit results.
The registration process itself has been criticized for potentially confusing applicants, particularly those with language barriers. Individuals are asked to confirm their citizenship, and those who answer “no” face a cancellation prompt for their voter registration application, which may lead to misunderstandings.
The Federalist sought comments from PennDOT regarding the audit and its anticipated outcomes but received no response. As the election draws closer, ensuring accurate voter registration practices remains a critical concern for Pennsylvania’s electoral integrity.
