Berks County News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09) has written to Governor Josh Shapiro, urging his Administration’s Election Threats Task Force to investigate the “Pennsylvania Values” PAC for an allegedly deceptive and illegal advertisement encouraging Pennsylvanians not to vote.

President Trump has expressed support for early and mail-in voting through initiatives such as “Bank Your Vote” and “Swamp the Vote USA.” However, the ad in question urges viewers to “Stand strong with President Trump against Mail-in Ballots.”

Meuser contends that the ad aims to dissuade Republican voters and other supporters of Republican candidates from using mail-in balloting by falsely stating that President Trump does not support voting by mail. He notes that the “Pennsylvania Values” PAC has historically opposed GOP candidates, including running ads against Congressman Lou Barletta during Pennsylvania’s 2018 Senate race.

According to Meuser, this ad constitutes disinformation intended to mislead voters, which he asserts is illegal under Pennsylvania law. Specifically, it allegedly violates Section 3527, Title 25, and Section 3547, Title 25 of Pennsylvania statutes.

“Of the hundreds of thousands of views, Pennsylvania Values’ ad has likely dissuaded some not to vote by mail or worse, to not vote at all,” Meuser said. “Damage to election integrity and confidence in the election process has been done. Governor Shapiro’s office must condemn this attempt to suppress votes to help restore voter confidence that has been eroded.”

Meuser emphasized the importance of election integrity and called for a non-partisan approach to prevent further erosion of voter confidence in election outcomes. He urged Governor Shapiro and Secretary Schmidt to take strong action against violations of election law.

Pennsylvania Statutes Section 3527 states in part: "If any person shall prevent or attempt to…prevent [people] from voting or restrain…freedom of choice…or in any manner…prevent a free and fair primary or election," they will be guilty of a felony of the third degree with penalties including fines up to $15,000 or imprisonment up to seven years.

Section 3547 outlines penalties for anyone who "directly or indirectly…(b) by abduction, duress or coercion...impedes, prevents, or otherwise interferes with the free exercise of the elective franchise," classifying such acts as misdemeanors of the second degree with fines up to $5,000 or imprisonment up two years.