LANCASTER, PA — The Lancaster County Board of Commissioners and the Lancaster County Board of Elections held a press conference to announce findings of potential voter registration fraud in their ongoing election processes. In light of the allegations, County District Attorney Heather Adams has launched an investigation, with preliminary findings indicating that many fraudulent applications may be connected to large-scale canvassing operations.
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"Conducting elections that voters can feel confident in is our duty," stated Josh Parsons, chairman of the Board of Commissioners and vice chairman of the Board of Elections. He emphasized that Lancaster County prioritizes "integrity, veracity, and transparency" in each election cycle. Adams confirmed that the elections office had received approximately 2,500 voter registration applications near the registration deadline, many of which appeared to contain false or duplicate information.
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“Our team noticed numerous applications with the same handwriting and signatures,” Adams said. “In some cases, applications contained accurate personal details, but the individuals later confirmed that they did not complete or sign the forms.” She indicated that 60% of reviewed applications were confirmed fraudulent, with indications of fictitious addresses and inconsistent social security information.
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The fraudulent applications primarily originated from public spaces such as grocery store parking lots and sidewalks, where canvassers had approached residents. Lancaster County detectives have confirmed similar cases of suspected fraud in two other counties, underscoring the seriousness of the investigation. "Forgery of applications is a third-degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a fine of $15,000," Adams warned, adding that the investigation is ongoing and will involve all available detectives.
Commissioner Parsons, highlighting the diligent work of election staff, reiterated Lancaster County’s commitment to secure elections. "This may be the largest, most complex election in our history," Parsons said. "But we have no time for political games. Our elections are secure, and we will hold accountable those who attempt to undermine them."
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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The U.S. Department of Justice is threatening legal action against Ann Arbor Public Schools unless the district changes policies that federal officials say violate parents’ rights under federal education privacy laws.
In a letter dated Sunday, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said the district has 14 days to address what it described as “substantial noncompliance” with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, known as FERPA, and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, or PPRA.
The dispute centers on Ann Arbor Public Schools’ Policy 5011, which addresses transgender and gender-nonconforming students.
According to the Justice Department, the U.S. Department of Education first raised concerns about the policy in July, arguing that it did not provide parents with full access to their children’s education records.
The Ann Arbor Board of Education amended the policy Aug. 26. However, federal officials said the revisions did not substantially change the policy. The Justice Department cited comments made by board members during the meeting as evidence that the changes were intended largely to clarify the policy rather than alter its effect.
The Department of Education determined Aug. 31 that the district remained out of substantial compliance with FERPA and PPRA and authorized the Justice Department to begin enforcement measures, according to the letter.
Federal officials are demanding that the district rescind Policy 5011 or revise it to comply with federal law.
Among the requested changes, the Justice Department wants the district to remove language directing school personnel to privately consult with students about requested names and pronouns. It also wants the district to obtain prior written parental consent before requiring minors to answer questions involving information protected under PPRA.
The federal government is also demanding that parents be given an opportunity to challenge, correct or seek deletion of information in their children’s education records that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. The letter specifically references records involving changes to a student’s name or gender markers and reports concerning a student’s legal name or gender.
The Justice Department also directed the district to review its policies and practices to ensure parents can inspect their children’s education records and exercise their rights under federal law.
If the district does not comply within the 14-day deadline, the Justice Department said the federal government could file a civil lawsuit and take other enforcement action related to conditions attached to federal education funding.
“This letter constitutes a formal demand and a final opportunity to cure before litigation is initiated,” the Justice Department wrote.
The letter was signed by Harmeet K. Dhillon, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
The documents provided do not include a response from Ann Arbor Public Schools to the latest Justice Department demand.
