PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A former Philadelphia election official who was the target of Donald Trump’s 2020 election campaign over false claims of voter fraud returned to Philadelphia Tuesday morning alongside other officials to welcome the city’s first permanent election site ahead of November’s general election.
The permanent satellite election office near North 40th and Market streets in West Philadelphia is the first of 10 new sites. Mayor Cherelle Parker applauded the office at the grand opening on Tuesday. Officials said it will make voting more accessible, allowing residents to register to vote and request a mail-in ballot in person, receive it, complete it, and return it — all in one place.
Al Schmidt, former Philadelphia city commissioner and current secretary of the commonwealth, called it a big improvement to voter access. In 2020, Schmidt, a Republican, was the target of harassment by Trump supporters as he helped oversee the recount efforts in Philadelphia.
Trump called out Schmidt by name on Twitter at the time, falsely accusing him of voter fraud. As a result, Schmidt, his family, and his staff received death threats from Trump supporters.
No evidence of widespread voter fraud was ever discovered in Philadelphia.
Schmidt said the new permanent satellite offices offer a convenience for voters.
“You don’t have to go to City Hall if you want to apply in person for a mail-in ballot,” he said, “or if you want to register in person and you need that voter registration right away.”
Also during the 2020 election, two armed men were arrested outside the Pennsylvania Convention Center, where the ballot count was underway. District Attorney Larry Krasner said efforts to interfere with the 2024 election will not be tolerated.
“We are not putting up with people who think democracy is something for them to step on,” he said.
City officials have not yet revealed where the remaining election offices will be located.