RNC raises voter suppression concerns as Trump supporter arrested for telling voters to stay in line

The Republican National Committee and the Trump campaign raised concerns to Pennsylvania's secretary of the commonwealth over "voter suppression" at early voting polling locations as a Trump supporter was arrested for telling voters to stay in line to vote.

RNC Chairman Michael Whatley shared a video on X on Monday of Pennsylvania GOP State Committeewoman Val Biancaniello repeatedly telling voters, “[d]o not get out of line,” as she was being arrested at an early voting polling location in Delaware County.

"A supporter of President Trump's was arrested today for encouraging people to stay in the early voting line and cast their ballots freely in Pennsylvania," Whatley wrote on X. "This follows reports from across the commonwealth that voters are being turned away in conservative areas. This is voter suppression from the left. Do not let them turn you away. GO VOTE!"

A man recording a video of the arrest said, "Wow. Wow. Wow. That's crazy! You locked her up? That is insane, man!"

Biancaniello posted on X on Monday following her arrest, writing, "Stay in line and #Vote! They arrested me and I didn’t break any laws. I encouraged people to stay in line and vote because the Democrats were discouraging voters from in person voting today in Delaware County. In fact, the election worker told people in line to go to the Chester Heights satellite office because the line was shorter there. Do you know what happened when they got to the Chester Heights office to vote in person? They were told that they ran out of [mail-in ballot] applications. This is voter suppression in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. I did nothing wrong except encourage people to stay in line and vote. So they arrested me. VOTE!"

The RNC noted in a press release about the arrest that it had sent a letter to Pennsylvania's secretary of the commonwealth earlier on Monday about concerns that election officials were discouraging voters from casting ballots.

"Voters consistently report to us that at Boards of Election Offices across the Commonwealth, they are told that 'computers are down,' the site will be closing early, they are not accepting any more voters, and that mail ballots will not be counted," reads the letter, sent on behalf of the RNC and the Trump campaign.

Tuesday is the last day for Pennsylvania voters to request mail-in ballots in person at an elections office.

Regarding Biancaniello's arrest, Delaware County spokesperson Ryan Herlinger told the Delaware Valley Journal, “On Monday, October 28, 2024, an incident occurred at the Voter Service Center located at the Government Center Building in Media, PA, resulting in the arrest and removal of a woman who, according to multiple eyewitnesses, was disruptive, belligerent, and attempting to influence voters waiting in line. Her behavior prompted several complaints from those in line. Delaware County Park Police—who provide security for the Government Center Building—were on-site and responded promptly to the disturbance.”