Hello, Pennsylvania!

We’re back from our time off. Hope you didn’t miss us too much.

A lot has happened since we spoke at the end of June. First, we got an important ruling in a big case: the one over the state’s voter rolls.

It seems that, for now at least, PA will not have to turn over the driver’s license and partial Social Security numbers of its voters to the Department of Justice. A district judge ruled, as have her colleagues in 14 other states, that the Justice Department is not entitled to that information. Read the full story here.

Of course, the federal government has appealed. So this isn’t the last we’ll hear of the case.

Next up, we took a look at a hypothetical. It’s looking like 2026 could be a good election for Democrats, so what would that mean for the push to reform PA elections? We took a look at what the party might prioritize if they end up with a governing trifecta this fall. Read about it here.

Lastly, the Justice Department sent a letter last week to Secretary Al Schmidt, along with every other state election official, warning that he could face criminal charges if he allows noncitizens to register or vote. Schmidt responded this past Monday. Read the story and his full response here.

Quote of the Week

“As I have stated in previous correspondence with the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, I take seriously the obligations under both federal and Pennsylvania law to ensure that only eligible voters have access to the ballot box and to see to it that Pennsylvania’s voter rolls are appropriately maintained and updated.”

This week’s quote comes to us from Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt in his response letter to the Justice Department, and it made me think: “Did the secretary just ‘per my last email’ the federal government?”

What else should I look into? You can always reach me by email at [email protected], on X @ByCarterWalker, or on Bluesky @bycarterwalker.bsky.social. Follow me on TikTok and Instagram for video explainers of Pennsylvania voting and elections news.

And if you know someone who might be interested in our reporting on elections and voting throughout Pennsylvania, forward them this newsletter — they can sign up for it here.

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The Big Story

Pennsylvania secretary responds to Trump administration’s threat of criminal charges over noncitizen voters

Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt responded to a letter from the Department of Justice that warned he could face criminal prosecution over noncitizen voters.