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Conservative commentator Wendy Bell falsely claimed Monday that the administration of Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf is trying to “silence voters” by ordering individuals who have been doubtlessly uncovered to the coronavirus to remain dwelling on Election Day.
In a Fb publish favored and shared 1000’s of instances, Bell asserted that the state Division of Well being has despatched a letter to 1000’s of voters informing them they they “should stay quarantined and never vote in particular person on election day. In the event that they fail to obey the order, they face potential arrest.
“Do you consider the Wolf administration is trying to silence voters — hours earlier than crucial election in American historical past?” the publish continued.
In a follow-up publish that additionally generated 1000’s of shares and likes, Bell mentioned the state well being secretary, Dr. Rachel Levine, is “attempting to maintain 1000’s of Pennsylvania voters QUARANTINED on election day. That is BIG!!!” And in a Fb broadcast Monday, she known as it a “gorgeous, stunning twist.”
Since many citizens who assist President Donald Trump have advised pollsters that they like to vote in particular person on Election Day — as a substitute of voting by mail, which Democrats are doing in far larger numbers than Republicans in Pennsylvania — Bell’s implication is that the Democrats who run Pennsylvania authorities are attempting to dam Trump voters from attending to the polls.
The truth: Nobody is attempting to disenfranchise a voter who has been uncovered to the coronavirus.
“The story that was on social media is totally false,” Levine mentioned at a information convention Monday.
It’s true that Pennsylvania sends a kind letter to individuals who have been recognized as a “shut contact” of somebody who has examined constructive for the coronavirus. The letter instructs the doubtless uncovered particular person to quarantine for 14 days, and it says the well being secretary has the authority to hunt a court docket order and name on legislation enforcement to make sure compliance.
However the kind letter says nothing in any respect about Election Day, and a well being division spokesperson, April Hutcheson, mentioned Monday that the division has by no means as soon as taken authorized motion towards any Pennsylvania resident for breaking quarantine.
The division desires folks to abide by quarantine guidelines to stop the unfold of the virus, Hutcheson mentioned, however “we can’t drive or inform people they can not vote in particular person.”
What’s extra, Pennsylvania has a workaround for voters who meant to forged their poll in particular person on Election Day, however who now not can due to an surprising sickness or another unexpected emergency.
It’s known as an emergency absentee poll. A voter isolating due to a constructive virus take a look at, or quarantining due to a possible publicity, can request such an emergency poll.
State legislation even requires a sheriff’s deputy or another county official to ship the balloting supplies, below sure circumstances.
“Each Pennsylvanian who’s registered to vote may have the chance to take action,” Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar mentioned in a written assertion Monday.
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