Pa. creates election crime hotline

(WKBN) — Pennsylvanians now have a new hotline to call the Department of State to safely participate in the voting process.

Governor Josh Shapiro announced the new initiative on Friday to mitigate any threats to the election process and remind Pennsylvanians of the resources available to them during this time.

Election crimes include voter intimidation and election fraud.

The new hotline can be reached at 1-877-VOTESPA.

Pennsylvanians should also contact law enforcement if they feel they are in immediate danger. PSP reminds Pennsylvanians of the following:

• If you or another are in danger, dial 911 and report it to local authorities immediately.
• Always be vigilant of your surroundings and know your location. If you need to report a crime, knowing surroundings, such as street names and landmarks, would be beneficial to law enforcement.
• Trust your gut. If a situation just doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.

“Political violence has no place in Pennsylvania – the birthplace of American democracy – nor anywhere else across this country,” said Shapiro in a news release. “While individuals may have profound disagreements and differences about our politics, the way we address those disagreements in this country must be peaceful, through the political process. My Administration stands ready to make sure Pennsylvanians have the freedom and opportunity to express their political views peacefully and to participate in safe and secure elections.”

The announcement comes a week after the assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump, which is part of what sparked the creation of the new hotline, according to the news release.

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