### Pennsylvania's Top Election Official Affirms 2020 Voting Accuracy, Heightens Security for 2024

In a recent interview, Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt assured the public that the 2020 elections were conducted accurately and with integrity. Speaking on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Schmidt emphasized that Pennsylvania has proven resistant to widespread voter fraud, bolstered by numerous validating cases from the 2020 elections.

With Election Day approaching, the issue of election integrity has become particularly salient in Pennsylvania, a critical battleground state. Notably, a recent report from the Lancaster County district attorney highlighted voter registration fraud incidents involving approximately 2,500 ballots. Schmidt confirmed that the county promptly contacted his office for guidance and is responsibly investigating the situation.

Schmidt also outlined the extensive preparations underway to secure the 2024 elections. Collaborating with counties, his office is supplying the necessary resources to ensure that the upcoming elections are "free, fair, safe and secure," mirroring the standards of 2020.

A significant focus for election officials has been addressing threats to election workers. Reflecting on the challenges of 2020, Schmidt commented on the difficulties officials faced in managing threats effectively. Since then, substantial measures have been taken, including the formation of an election threat task force that integrates federal, state, and local law enforcement with election administration. Enhanced communication channels and clearly defined responsibilities are part of these improved preparations.

"Should any of the issues from 2020 arise again, we will be ready," Schmidt assured.

Both Schmidt and Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, who appeared alongside him, have committed to certifying the election results, irrespective of the winning political party. Fontes contrasted the current robust safety protocols for election results tabulation with those from previous years, citing the example of a rattlesnake scare in 2018 as a comparatively trivial concern.

Fontes remarked, "It's absolutely, completely different from 2020...we are prepared, and we're going to have a secure election."