Doug Mastriano says Afghan elections were more secure than Pennsylvania’s because of voter ID

GETTYSBURG, PA. – Doug Mastriano, the Republican nominee for governor of Pennsylvania, says elections in Afghanistan after the U.S. invasion had been safer than some elections within the Keystone State. 

Mastriano informed Fox Information Digital throughout an interview Thursday it’s important for Republicans to win the governorship of Pennsylvania this 12 months to make sure each authorized vote is counted in 2024 and past. 

“This isn’t hyperbole. It is going to sound prefer it, however beneath the worldwide [military] coalition in Afghanistan, we ran higher elections … in a war-torn third-world nation than I’ve seen in Pennsylvania in some instances right here,” stated Mastriano, a former U.S. Military colonel who served in Afghanistan. 

“In Afghanistan, the worldwide fee mandated voter ID. In Pennsylvania, you simply present up and signal a chunk of paper or mail in one thing with a signature, [and] we do not even know if it matches something.” 

PA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE DOUG MASTRIANO SUING HOUSE JAN. 6 COMMITTEE

GOP nominee Doug Mastriano says elections in Afghanistan after the U.S. invasion had been safer than some elections in Pennsylvania.  
(AP Picture/Keith Srakocic)

Mastriano stated his aim as governor can be to revamp the state’s voting infrastructure to make sure “free and honest elections” for Republicans, Democrats and independents.

“That is going to take a overview of the voting machines. It is going to take a overview of voting logs within the counties. That is going to take inspections to place safeguards into place,” stated Mastriano. “We’re not about rigging something. That is truly antithetical to my life of really serving and combating for our nation.” 

PENNSYLVANIA MAIL-IN VOTING LAW CHALLENGED BY REPUBLICANS

In Pennsylvania, the governor has important energy with authority to nominate a secretary of state tasked with overseeing and operating elections.

Incumbent Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s choose for the place has come beneath fireplace for transferring key election deadlines forward of the 2020 contest. 

The appointee additionally has been accused of selectively urging Democratic-leaning counties in 2020 to use for privately-funded grants for get-out-of-the-vote initiatives.

In Pennsylvania, the governor has the ability to nominate a secretary of state, who oversees elections.
(Invoice Pugliano/Getty Pictures)

“I’ve watched beneath Gov. Wolf that his previous a number of secretaries of states — performing or in any other case — had been far-left excessive political hacks for the Democrat Social gathering,” stated Mastriano. “Watching how they manipulated and altered election regulation.”

Democrats bristle at Mastriano’s rhetoric. They are saying the Republican nominee’s pledge to overtake Pennsylvania’s voting infrastructure is about subverting the election course of in favor of Republicans. 

“He has already stated he would use his energy as governor right here in Pennsylvania … to decertify voting machines with a view to choose the winner,” Pennsylvania Lawyer Normal Josh Shapiro stated of opponent Doug Mastriano.
(Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Studying Eagle by way of Getty Pictures)

“He has already stated he would use his energy as governor right here in Pennsylvania … to decertify voting machines with a view to choose the winner,” stated Pennsylvania Lawyer Normal Josh Shapiro, the Democratic nominee for governor. “That is harmful for anyone. Whether or not you agree with me or not, whether or not you are for me or not, you need to wish to know that your vote goes to rely for the individual that you select.” 

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Shapiro, who leads Mastriano in most public polling, informed Fox Information Digital the large dividing line inside the race was not over politics, however somewhat respect for the democratic course of. 

“I do not assume this election is essential for Democrats,” stated Shapiro. “I feel this election is essential for democracy.”