PA GOP Committeewoman Detained for Urging Voters to Remain in Line

In a startling incident in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, GOP committeewoman and RNC delegate Val Biancaniello was detained by local authorities on Monday after encouraging voters to stay in line and cast their ballots at a polling station.

Biancaniello, who has been vocal about her commitment to ensuring Republican voters participate fully in the election, alleges that she was targeted due to her actions in countering what she claims were tactics meant to dissuade in-person voting. According to her statements, she was handcuffed, taken to a holding room, and later released with a citation for disorderly conduct.

“I was just taken away in handcuffs at the Delaware County, Pennsylvania Government Center for encouraging people to stay in line and vote,” Biancaniello said in a statement. She detailed her experience to The Gateway Pundit, asserting that she was unjustly detained for simply encouraging people in a long line, many of whom were Republicans, to remain in place to cast their votes.

“They patted me down and handcuffed me to a bench in a holding room,” she said, adding that she would be receiving a citation for disorderly conduct in the mail, despite her insistence that she had broken no laws and engaged only in lawful, peaceful encouragement.

A video posted on X by Michael Whatley, chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party, showed a supporter of former President Trump who claimed that Pennsylvania voters in several counties were encountering roadblocks to casting their ballots.

The post, featuring footage from multiple polling locations, echoed claims that long lines were causing issues and that, in some instances, voters were being told to leave without voting, reportedly due to claims of “overcrowded” polling sites or alleged administrative issues.

A supporter of President Trump's was arrested today for encouraging people to stay in the early voting line and cast their ballots freely in Pennsylvania.

This follows reports from across the commonwealth that voters are being turned away in conservative areas. 

This is voter… pic.twitter.com/ye4qTcfEn5

— Michael Whatley (@ChairmanWhatley) October 28, 2024

In another post on X, Biancaniello claimed that a Democratic election worker in Delaware County was guiding voters toward an alternative satellite polling office, where they could potentially avoid the wait. However, she alleges that when these voters arrived at the suggested site, they were informed that applications required for voting were unavailable, further frustrating their efforts to vote.

“This is voter suppression in Delaware County, Pennsylvania,” Biancaniello stated, insisting she had done “nothing wrong” and encouraging voters to stand firm in their efforts to participate in the electoral process. “VOTE!” she urged.

The incident has brought voter access and transparency in Pennsylvania into sharper focus, with several Republican leaders calling for immediate state intervention. RNC Chairman Michael Whatley condemned the incident and issued a statement demanding an investigation.

“With only eight days until Election Day, Pennsylvanians across the commonwealth deserve every option available to exercise their civic duty. But voters are being turned away, given faulty information, and told their ballots will not be counted,” Whatley said. “This is nothing short of voter suppression, and we demand immediate action to ensure every legal vote can be cast and counted properly.”

The RNC, in a public statement, outlined several alleged issues occurring at polling stations across Pennsylvania, including reports of downed computer systems, early closures of polling sites, and delays in processing mail-in ballots.

“We have received numerous concerning reports from Pennsylvania voters that computers are down, polling sites are closing early, and are not accepting any more voters,” the RNC statement read. “No voter should be turned away, told an office is closing early, or told they cannot be accommodated if they appear during the posted business hours.”

The timing of these events has only heightened concerns among Pennsylvania Republicans, especially as Governor Josh Shapiro recently announced that he had cast his mail ballot at a satellite office in Montgomery County without any issues. The RNC’s statement further suggested that all Pennsylvania voters should be provided the same access, asserting that some county offices appear either “unable or unwilling to provide it.”

The statement called on Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt to take immediate measures to ensure that every county maintains transparent and consistent operations to guarantee all Pennsylvanians can participate in a “free, fair, safe, and secure” election.

As the debate intensifies, Pennsylvania remains a critical battleground in the upcoming election, with both parties intensely focused on ensuring every vote is counted. Allegations of voting issues in the state have emerged periodically, reflecting both the heightened stakes and the scrutiny that election integrity is under across the nation.

Given Pennsylvania’s role as a key swing state, accusations of any form of suppression or mismanagement are likely to face public scrutiny, particularly from voters who have already raised concerns.

Biancaniello’s account, coupled with claims from other Republican figures and supporters, continues to fuel discussions on election security and transparency. As the election approaches, leaders from both parties are bracing for further claims and urging voters to remain engaged in the process.

With only days left to secure the final ballots, the RNC and Trump campaign have indicated they will monitor and challenge any irregularities to protect voter access and uphold the sanctity of the electoral process.