A Pennsylvania state legislator claims Democratic governor. Wolf confessed to violating the state’s electoral laws during a radio interview.
Wolf informed Pittsburgh radio station KDKA AM last week that Frances Wolf, Pennsylvania’s first lady, had dropped off her mail-in ballot at a station during early voter. This was in preparation for the state’s recent elections.
“I didn’t show up in person at the polls,” Wolf said, according to the Washington Examiner. “We voted a couple of weeks ago, actually. My wife actually dropped it off personally two weeks ago, so it’s there.”
State Rep. Seth Grove (a York County Republican) claimed that the state law required voters to drop off their own ballots.
According to the Examiner, the state law only allows exceptions for voters with disabilities or for those who have writtenly indicated that they want another person to drop off their ballot.
“This is illegal under the election code,” Grove wrote about Wolf allowing his wife to drop off his ballot. “BUT would have been legal had he signed HB 1300.”
On Nov. 2, Gov. Wolf did an interview with KDKA where he disclosed his wife turned in his mail-in ballot for him.
— Rep. Seth Grove – “the Architect” (@RepGrove) November 4, 2021
This is illegal under the election code, BUT would have been legal had he signed HB 1300.
1:25-1:55 minute has the salient portion:https://t.co/laMBmv4D2a
Grove was referring specifically to a bill he sponsored, which would have made Wolf’s action legal. However, the Democrat vetoed the bill earlier this year. The Examiner reported.
Spotlight PA was informed by the Republican that he intends to reintroduce this proposal.
Elizabeth Rementer, a Wolf spokeswoman, said that the governor made an “honest mistake” in having his wife leave his ballot , according to Spotlight PA.
Grove made the legal point but said that he sympathized and understood Wolf.
“This happens,” the Republican told Spotlight PA. “No one is an election law expert, right?”
“We get it. It’s convenient for a spouse to drop off your ballot,” he added.
Spotllight PA reported that violators of the state’s election law may face up to a year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. However, the York County District Attorney’s Office has jurisdiction over Wolf’s hometown and could not comment on whether or not it is investigating the matter.
