Trump sounds alarm over automatic voter registration in Pennsylvania

Trump previously pointed to alleged fraud in the state when making claims that the 2020 contest had been "stolen" and the election practices of Harrisburg remain under intense Republican scrutiny.

By Ben Whedon

Published: September 25, 2023 4:13pm

Former President Donald Trump on Monday warned that Pennsylvania's recent embrace of automatic voter registration is unconstitutional and urged Republicans in the commonwealth and the national party to contest it.

Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro last week announced that the commonwealth had become an automatic voter registration state, saying "[f]rom now on, when you get or renew your driver's license or an ID card at the DMV, you'll be registered to vote unless you choose not to."

"Pennsylvania is at it again! The Radical Left Governor, Josh Shapiro, has just announced a switch to Automatic Voter Registration, a disaster for the Election of Republicans, including your favorite President, ME!" Trump said on Truth Social. "This is a totally Unconstitutional Act, and must be met harshly by Republican Leadership in Washington and Pennsylvania."

Pennsylvania was a key battleground in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. Trump previously pointed to alleged fraud in the state when making claims that the 2020 contest had been "stolen" and the election practices of Harrisburg remain under intense Republican scrutiny.

"[T]he RNC, and Ronna McDaniel, must spend their time working on this, instead of meaningless Debates where I am up by more than 50 points," Trump said, just days ahead of the second Republican primary debate that he does not plan to attend. "The Pennsylvania Republican Party must likewise not let this happen. It will be a disaster for our Nation, which is being destroyed by these Lunatics, Marxists, & Fascists, whose only real ability is to CHEAT on Elections. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

As part of his post, Trump contended that the integrity of battleground states' elections should be of greater importance to Republican leadership than a primary contest he considers effectively resolved in light of his polling lead. In making his point, Trump dropped a litany of colorful new nicknames for his primary opponents.

"Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, Arizona, Wisconsin, and others, are far more important than 'Aida,' Sloppy Chris, Lyin' Mike Pence, Nikki 'Birdbrain' Haley, Ron ('Dead Campaign') DeSanctimonious, and the others," he insisted.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.