Officials from Delaware County, Pennsylvania, have refuted claims made by Donald Trump’s campaign and the Republican National Committee regarding alleged 'voter suppression' at a polling site on Monday. The incident in question occurred at a local polling site where a woman was removed for causing disruption in line.
The RNC Chairman, Michael Whatley, alleged in a social media post that a Trump supporter was arrested for encouraging voters to stay in line and cast their ballots freely. The post, reaching over 2.8 million people, labeled the incident as 'voter suppression from the left.' The woman, Vallerie Biancaniello, was seen being taken away in handcuffs in a video shared in the post and highlighted by the Trump campaign.
The altercation unfolded at the Voter Service Center in Media, Pennsylvania, the county seat of suburban Philadelphia. In response to the claims, a county spokesperson stated that the woman was arrested and removed due to disruptive and belligerent behavior, as reported by multiple eyewitnesses. The woman was allegedly attempting to influence voters waiting in line, prompting complaints from others in line. The Delaware County Park Police, responsible for security at the Government Center Building, promptly intervened to address the disturbance.
It was revealed that Biancaniello, the detained woman, is a GOP certified elector for this election cycle, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State. Following the incident, Delaware County Council chair Dr. Monica Taylor emphasized the county's commitment to upholding voting rights. The Delaware County District Attorney’s office confirmed that Biancaniello was briefly detained and will be cited for disorderly conduct, categorized as a summary offense akin to a traffic ticket.
