Trabajadores electorales del condado de Chester, Pensilvania, procesan votos por correo en la Universidad de West Chester en West Chester, Pensilvania, el 4 de noviembre de 2020. (Foto: AP/Matt Slocum/Archivo)
¿Cuál es la forma más precisa de contar los votos en las elecciones estadounidenses? ¿Es a mano, como exigen muchos legisladores republicanos tras las elecciones de 2020? ¿O la forma tradicional en que las máquinas cuentan los resultados?
Los expertos electorales coinciden en que el recuento manual de papeletas lleva más tiempo que el recuento con máquinas, es menos fiable y supone una pesadilla logística para las elecciones estadounidenses, incluso en Pensilvania.
Un número considerable de legisladores republicanos han presionado para pasar al recuento manual en los últimos años, un argumento arraigado en falsas teorías conspirativas de que los sistemas de votación fueron manipulados para robar las elecciones de 2020. Aunque no hay pruebas de fraude generalizado ni de manipulación de las máquinas en las elecciones de 2020, algunos activistas y funcionarios de todo el país, incluida Pensilvania, siguen promoviendo propuestas para el recuento manual de papeletas.
Numerosos estudios —en el ámbito electoral y también en otros campos como el bancario y el minorista— han demostrado que las personas cometen muchos más errores al contar que las máquinas, sobre todo cuando se trata de cifras cada vez más grandes. También son enormemente más lentas.
Stephen Ansolabehere, profesor de Gobierno en la Universidad de Harvard que ha realizado investigaciones sobre el recuento manual, afirma que en un estudio realizado en Nueva Hampshire descubrió que los trabajadores electorales que contaban las papeletas a mano se equivocaban hasta en un 8%. Según Ansolabehere, la tasa media de errores en el recuento mecánico es del 0,5%.
De acuerdo con Marc Meredith, profesor de Ciencias Políticas de la Universidad de Pensilvania, el recuento manual de votos en las elecciones de Pensilvania sería “poco práctico”, debido en parte al número de votos por correo que deben procesar los condados.
“La cantidad de trabajo y tiempo que se necesitaría para llevar a cabo esa tarea no sería factible”, dijo.
¿Cuánto tiempo puede retrasar los resultados el recuento manual? Dependiendo de la jurisdicción y del personal, pueden ser días, semanas o incluso meses.
Por ejemplo, en el condado de Cobb, Georgia, después de las elecciones de 2020, el recuento manual ordenado por el estado sólo de los votos presidenciales —unas 397.00 papeletas— tomó cinco días, con la participación de cientos de personas. Un funcionario electoral del condado estimó que se habrían necesitado 100 días para contar cada contienda en cada papeleta utilizando los mismos procedimientos.
Países como Francia utilizan el recuento manual, pero Ansolabehere indicó que suelen tener elecciones más sencillas con una sola contienda electoral a la vez.
En Estados Unidos, las papeletas son mucho más complicadas, y a veces contienen docenas de candidaturas locales, estatales y federales a la vez.
El recuento manual se realiza en algunas zonas rurales de Estados Unidos, como ciertas partes del noreste. Pero en jurisdicciones grandes como Filadelfia o Los Ángeles, llevaría demasiado tiempo y no sería factible, dicen los expertos.
En Pensilvania, los recuentos manuales sólo se utilizan en casos de revisión postelectoral, que utilizan muestras aleatorias de papeletas a menos que haya un recuento completo en una contienda reñida. Estos recuentos se realizan sin la urgencia de tener que comunicar los resultados la misma noche.
Governor Shapiro signed bipartisan legislation allowing for the sale of ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDC) at places like grocery stores and gas stations starting September 16th.
“For the first time ever, Pennsylvania’s adult consumers can find their favorite spirits ready-to-drink cocktails alongside beer and wine products in grocery and convenience stores.”
«It’s definitely going to be an asset and probably the most important thing for customers is going to be having the convenience of a ‘one-stop shop.’”
Harrisburg, PA — Starting yesterday, thanks to bipartisan legislation signed by Governor Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania grocery stores, gas stations, and other retail liquor licensees and beer distributors began selling ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDC). Today, the Governor stopped by a Rutter’s in Duncannon alongside legislative leaders and members of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) to pick up some canned cocktails to go and spread the word to Pennsylvanians.
Act 86 of 2024 created a new RTDC permit, which authorizes permittees to sell pre-mixed spirits-based RTDC ranging from 0.5 percent alcohol beverage by volume (ABV) to 12.5 percent ABV in original containers up to 16 ounces for off-premises consumption (to go). The PLCB began accepting permit applications from retail liquor licensees and distributors and importing distributors of malt and brewed beverages for RTDC permits on August 27.
To date, the PLCB had received 1,595 RTDC applications and issued 1,416 permits. The PLCB will continue to review and approve permits as they are received. Licensees interested in applying for a RTDC permit can do so through PLCB+, the PLCB’s online licensing and regulatory platform.
Read what business owners and industry leaders are saying about expanding the access to sell ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDC):
“Our stores have been a destination for beer and wine since 2011 and 2016, respectively, and we have heard from our customers about the convenience of being able to grab ready-to-drink cocktails while grocery shopping too,” said Rebecca Lupfer, senior vice president and chief merchant, The GIANT Company. “We’re excited to expand our offering to customers starting today, with canned cocktails rolling out to 138 stores across Pennsylvania.”
“We are thrilled with this opportunity — this is going to be a benefit for our business and for my contemporaries across the state,” said Bill Shaner, owner of Hampton Beer Outlet in Hampton Township. “There’s a wide variety that we’ll be able to carry — over 100 products that are available to us. It’s definitely going to be an asset and probably the most important thing for customers is going to be having the convenience of a ‘one-stop shop.’”
“I think it’s a great opportunity for more revenue for the business,» said Konstantine Pappas, owner of Rookie’s Craft Burger Bar in Harrisburg. “It’s income for the state, but if we make money and the state makes money, it’s a win-win.»
“For the first time ever, Pennsylvania’s adult consumers can find their favorite spirits ready-to-drink cocktails alongside beer and wine products in grocery and convenience stores,” said Andy Deloney, senior vice president of state government relations at the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. “There is no difference between the alcohol found in a spirits ready-to-drink cocktail and a beer or wine seltzer. We thank the legislature and Governor Shapiro for their support of Pennsylvania consumers and look forward to seeing the continued market growth of spirits RTDs in the commonwealth.”
Read more about the Governor’s visit and how the Shapiro Administration brought people together to expand the availability of RTDC’s below:
PHLCityID Renewal fee waived during the Office of Immigrant Affairs’ Welcoming Week from September 13 through September 27
PHILADELPHIA. – The City of Philadelphia’s Municipal Identification Program (PHLCityID) has hit a milestone in its effort to provide Philadelphians with an ID that connects them with valuable resources and access to essential services, fostering a sense of community, particularly for those facing barriers to obtaining other forms of identification. The Program kicked off in 2019 with a goal of ensuring an easy process to obtain the ID through the office in the City Hall area and at community events across Philadelphia.
“The PHLCityID Program is essential in creating easy access for all Philadelphians to use the programs and services our departments and partners provide,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “Collaboration between departments to ensure that all Philadelphians have a Safer, Cleaner, Greener City with Access to Economic Opportunity for All is what this administration is all about. Thank you to all the directors and departments involved, specifically Director Velazco for leading PHLCityID to this milestone and beyond.”
Over the last five years, PHLCityID has issued over 75,000 IDs to Philadelphians needing identification. Among the majority are those in immigrant communities and youth who need identification when seeking employment or driver’s licenses. The Office of Reentry Partnerships (ORP) also partners with the Program to help individuals who were formerly incarcerated obtain an ID, which helps them get a job and housing.
In partnership with the OIA’s Welcoming Week’s festivities celebrating immigrants, Monday, September 16, 2024, through Friday, September 20, 2024, the PHLCityID Program is waiving renewal fees for all Program participants needing to renew their ID card. Proof of identity and Philadelphia address must be shown to be eligible.
“PHLCityID, along with our many partners, including the Office of Immigrant Affairs look forward to continuing our efforts to make the City of Philadelphia a more inclusive and welcoming place for all residents and are excited to celebrate this significant milestone during Welcoming Week 2024,” said Anjanette Velazco, Director of the Municipal ID Program. “We are grateful to all the participants, partners, and supporters who have made the PHLCityID Program a success over the past five years.
Oct. 21 is the last day for Pennsylvanians to register in order to vote in November’s election
Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt marked National Voter Registration Day today by reminding eligible Pennsylvanians that the deadline to register to vote in the November election is Monday, Oct. 21.
“Voting is a fundamental right in our representative democracy and the most basic way Pennsylvanians can make their voices heard,” Schmidt said. “I encourage every eligible Pennsylvanian who is not registered to vote to take a few minutes to register online before the Oct. 21deadline so they can have their say on Nov. 5.”
To be eligible to register to vote, Pennsylvanians must be:
• A citizen of the United States for at least one month before the election,
• A resident of the election district in which the person plans to register for at least 30 days before the election, and
• At least 18 years of age on or before the date of the election.
Last year, the Shapiro Administration launched automatic voter registration as part of its continued commitment to ensuring free, fair, and secure elections. All PennDOT photo and driver license centers offer automatic voter registration, which provides eligible Pennsylvanians with an integrated method for applying to register to vote or update their registration when they obtain a driver’s license or ID card or renew their existing identification.
Since launching last September, 147,586 eligible Pennsylvanians have registered to vote through automatic voter registration.
Pennsylvanians who are already registered to vote can check their registration status online and update their voter record with changes such as name or address.
In addition to registering online and through automatic voter registration, eligible Pennsylvanians can register by mail or in person at the following locations:
• Their county voter registration office
• County assistance offices
• Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program offices
• Armed Forces recruitment centers
• County clerk of orphans’ courts or marriage license offices
• Area agencies on aging
• County mental health and intellectual disabilities offices
• Student disability services offices of the State System of Higher Education
• Offices of special education in high schools
• Americans with Disabilities Act-mandated complementary paratransit providers
Registered voters can also request a no-excuse mail-in or absentee ballot online. Mail-in and absentee ballot applications must be received by a voter’s county elections office by 5 p.m. Oct. 29. Voted mail-in and absentee ballots must be received by county election offices by 8 p.m., Election Day, Nov. 5.
A fall in oil prices is contributing to decrease inflation, adding justification to the expected rebate this week in interest rates by the US central bank. Last week, West Texas Intermediate oil prices fell below $70 per barrel, a 15 percent decrease since last July. This led to the announcement by Saudi Arabia and seven other members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries of the continuation of production cuts in around 5 million barrels per day, until de end of this year.
By contrast, on the rest of the supply side, oil production has increased among several countries of the Americas, nonmembers of the Organization, such as Brazil, Canada, Guyana and the United States, compensating for the production cuts.
On the demand side, the slowdown of the Chinese economy has been decisive. According to the Paris-based International Energy Agency, in China oil demand growth has decreased, causing “a profound impact on oil markets.” (The Wall Street Journal 09/13/24). For the last 20 years, China was consuming half of the increases in world oil production, at a rate of about 1 million barrels per day, which contrasts with a monthly average of 280,000 barrels per day between last April and July. Also contributing to the reduction in China’s oil demand is a slowdown in the housing market and an increased utilization of electric vehicles.
*International analyst and consultant, former Director ECLAC Washington. Commentator on economic and financial issues for CNN en Español TV and radio, UNIVISION, TELEMUNDO and other media.
Una caída en los precios del petróleo está contribuyendo a disminuir la inflación, agregándole justificación a la esperada reducción esta semana de la tasa de interés por el banco central de Estados Unidos. La semana pasada, los precios del crudo cotizados como West Texas Intermediate disminuyeron a menos de $70 por barril, una disminución de 15 por ciento desde julio pasado. Eso condujo al anuncio por Arabia Saudita y otros siete miembros de la Organización de Países Exportadores de Petróleo de que continuarán recortando la producción en alrededor de 5 millones de barriles por día, hasta fin de este año.
En contraste, en el resto de la oferta, la producción de petróleo ha aumentado en varios países de las Américas, que no son miembros de la Organización, tales como Brasil, Canadá, Guyana y Estados Unidos, lo cual está compensando los recortes de producción.
Del lado de la demanda, la desaceleración de la economía en China ha sido decisiva. Según la Agencia Internacional de Energía, basada en París, ha disminuido el crecimiento de la demanda de petróleo en China, lo cual está causando “un impacto profundo en los mercados petroleros.” (The Wall Street Journal 09|13|24). Durante los últimos 20 años, China estaba consumiendo la mitad de los incrementos en la producción mundial de petróleo, a una tasa de alrededor de 1 millón de barriles diarios, lo cual contrasta con el promedio mensual de 280,000 barriles por día entre abril y julio pasados. También está contribuyendo a la reducción de la demanda de petróleo en China la desaceleración en el mercado de vivienda y la creciente utilización de vehículos eléctricos.
*Analista y consultor internacional, ex-director de la Oficina de la CEPAL en Washington. Comentarista de economía y finanzas de CNN en Español TV y radio, UNIVISION, TELEMUNDO y otros medios.
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Philadelphia voters on Tuesday will fill two vacant state House seats in special elections, and in both cases a Democratic candidate is the only person on the ballot.
Keith Harris is seeking to replace Rep. Donna Bullock, while Andre Carroll is in line to succeed Rep. Stephen Kinsey. Bullock and Kinsey both resigned in mid-July. Bullock took a job with Project HOME, a nonprofit that works to address homelessness, while Kinsey, who had not been planning to run for reelection, moved up his departure date and took another job.
Neither Harris nor Carroll has an opponent in the Nov. 5 general election, where they are seeking full two-year terms.
Harris, 63, is a Democratic ward leader and community activist who has worked to clean up graffiti in Philadelphia. The district is in the northern area of the city.
Carroll, 33, has worked in city and state government. The northwest Philadelphia district has overwhelmingly Democratic voter registration and is older and less affluent than the state as a whole.
De izquierda a derecha, la candidata presidencial demócrata y vicepresidenta Kamala Harris, el presidente Joe Biden, Michael Bloomberg, el candidato presidencial republicano y expresidente Donald Trump y el candidato republicano a la vicepresidencia, el senador JD Vance, asisten a la ceremonia para conmemorar el 11Sep en el 23er aniversario de los ataques del 11 de septiembre de 2001, el miércoles 11 de septiembre de 2024, en Nueva York. (AP Foto/Yuki Iwamura)
Every year, many gather in New York to remember and honor all those who lost their lives on that day, as well as to recognize the first responders and the many in military uniform who went to the other side of the world to find the authors of this horrific attack.
There has never been a demonstration against this sacred ground and the lives lost. Many politicians and others attending have bowed their heads as the names of the deceased were called out while a bell was rung.
This year, Donald J. Trump changed all that when he attended with Laura Loomer by his side. Laura has a long history of right-wing, misguided theories. One of her biggest is that she believes, and has preached, that America was not attacked by foreign agents but that it was an inside job perpetrated by the government.
How can a presidential candidate bring to the site of the Twin Towers a person who is a 9/11 denier? Someone should have escorted her and Trump out of the area. The media should have jumped on Trump right there at the site and perhaps demanded that they both leave.
She also traveled with Trump to the 9/11 event in Pennsylvania. Voters of this fine state should be angered that she was there and should know that this man and Laura were spitting in their faces with this degradation of such an important and solemn event.
NBC News asked the Trump campaign for details about the decision to have Loomer travel with Trump, the extent of her conversations with him, and whether the campaign knew she had promoted 9/11 conspiracy theories before inviting her to accompany Trump to the debate and to Ground Zero. Now she is a regular passenger on his plane. Trump says she is very smart and has some good ideas. Probably her ideas are as good as Trump’s plans for replacing the Affordable Care Act. He should share some of her so-called good ideas.
She is the kind of cheerleader Trump does not need. The Republican party should throw her under the bus, and in this case, under the plane.
Undecided voters should be bothered by this right-wing conspiracy-based romance.
She probably whispers more of her conspiracy theories about immigrants, which keeps Trump lying about Haitians. She likely makes him believe he won the debate.
Laura Loomer has a history of extreme theories. Loomer first gained national attention for her involvement in the “alt-right” movement and her frequent targeting of minority groups. One of her most controversial moments came when she called for a ridesharing service that would ban Muslim drivers, following her anti-Islam rhetoric.
In 2017, after a terrorist attack in New York City, Loomer launched into a daylong anti-Islam rant on Twitter, blaming Muslims for the violence and calling for a ridesharing service that would ban Muslim drivers. “Someone needs to create a non-Islamic form of Uber or Lyft because I never want to support another Islamic immigrant driver,” she tweeted, tagging both companies, NBC News reported. The swift backlash led Uber and Lyft to ban her from their platforms permanently.
Her social media posts have frequently ventured into outright conspiracy theories. Loomer has claimed that the 9/11 attacks were an “inside job,” a baseless accusation that adds to the host of fringe beliefs she has propagated. This theory, which suggests U.S. officials were somehow complicit in the attacks, has been debunked but remains a rallying cry among certain factions of the far right.
Loomer’s rhetoric has been so incendiary that even Greene, a figure known for her controversial statements, has publicly condemned her. In April 2023, when Trump reportedly considered hiring Loomer for his 2024 campaign, Greene took to social media to express her opposition. Describing Loomer as “mentally unstable” and “poisonous,” Greene urged Trump to distance himself from the controversial activist.
Marjorie Taylor Greene calls far-right activist Laura Loomer’s rhetoric a ‘huge problem’ that ‘doesn’t represent MAGA.’ GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized far-right activist Laura Loomer on Thursday, saying that her “rhetoric and hateful tone” is concerning, a problem, and “doesn’t represent MAGA as a whole.”
The comments from Greene, a Georgia Republican who has her own high-profile history of incendiary and inflammatory remarks, came after the congresswoman called on Loomer to take down an X post in which Loomer said if Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, who is half Indian, wins, “the White House will smell like curry, and White House speeches will be facilitated via a call center.”
Greene called the post “extremely racist,” and wrote in response on X, “This does not represent President Trump.”
Trump has wrapped himself in the language of the horrific 2025 plan and aligned with warped individuals like Loomer. All voters should fear this man getting into the White House again. And who is this Laura Loomer, the MAGA Republican too racist even for Marjorie Taylor Greene?
This right-wing extremist is exerting her influence on Donald Trump and the MAGA base.
Greene, who has herself been accused of promoting racist and anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, responded by calling Loomer’s remarks “appalling and extremely racist,” adding that Loomer “does not represent who we are as Republicans or MAGA.”
Greene’s condemnation was notable because it marked a rare moment when a prominent figure within the MAGA movement publicly distanced themselves from someone for being too extreme. Greene’s record includes statements downplaying the significance of the Holocaust and spreading conspiracy theories about “Jewish space lasers.”
While some Republicans have also voiced concern about Loomer’s influence, many within Trump’s base view her as a loyal supporter willing to speak truth while others won’t.
“If anything’s sacred in this country, it should be 9/11. There are so many people who haven’t healed,” 9/11 responder John Feal said Thursday on CNN. “It’s an insult to those who have to fight for their lives now, who are sick and dying.”
The White House condemned Trump’s association with Loomer this week. So did New York Democratic Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader, who called Loomer’s attendance at the 9/11 event “shocking” and “offensive to the thousands of people who lost their lives.”
“She’s disgraceful,” Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-N.Y.) said in a statement. “Anyone who believes that 9/11 was an inside job or part of some big conspiracy is a fringe character,” added Nate Soule, spokesperson for Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.). “Congressman Lawler firmly believes that nonsense like this does a tremendous disservice to the memory of the thousands of Americans who lost their lives that day and in the years since, their families, and our country.”
She has also given voice to conspiracy theories about pop star Taylor Swift and her romantic relationship with football player Travis Kelce, calling it “arranged” and saying the relationship is meant to help Democrats win the upcoming election. Loomer has also questioned the reality behind mass shootings, wondering whether they’ve been staged to help Democrats win votes.
Trump told NBC News, “I don’t know that much about it. No, I don’t,” when asked whether he’s familiar with Loomer’s conspiracy theories. He added, “I know she’s a big fan of the campaign, but I really don’t know.”
Trump does know what she represents, and that’s why she is on the plane and at his side. She has been vetted by the Secret Service, and her views are not hidden from anyone.
Later, in a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that Loomer “doesn’t work for the Campaign. She’s a private citizen and longtime supporter. I disagree with the statements she made, but like the many millions of people who support me, she is tired of watching the Radical Left Marxists and Fascists violently attack and smear me.”
Donald Trump allies are worried that the former president’s ties to right-wing activist Laura Loomer could cost him votes in key battleground states.
The allies told NBC News that there are “real concerns” about Loomer and Trump’s association, especially in the wake of her racist social media post about Vice President Kamala Harris.
“She has to go. Laura Loomer cannot stay. She just can’t. She is unapologetic,” one Trump ally told NBC News, adding, “This woman attacked the vice president of the United States in such a racist manner. It was appalling, and she hasn’t apologized.”
Several allies, who were granted anonymity to speak candidly, warned that Loomer’s rhetoric about Harris could hurt Trump’s standing with critical voters, particularly in the key states of Georgia and North Carolina, which have large Indian American and Hindu populations.
The former president was told, “If you don’t fix this, it will be a problem,” the ally added.
A statement provided to NBC News from the Georgia Chapter of the American Hindu Coalition — which bills itself as a nonpartisan advocacy group — and posted by Greene on social media, also warned about Loomer’s rhetoric, saying that while “President Trump and his dedicated allies — such as Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene — have worked tirelessly to build a future where every American can thrive… recent statements that attempt to divide our community along racial or ethnic lines, specifically those made by Ms. Laura Loomer, are completely unacceptable and do not reflect the values of this movement or the America we seek to build.”
Indian Americans account for a bit more than 1% of the total U.S. population, according to Census estimates. Georgia has the highest share of any 2024 battleground at about 1.5% of the state population, followed by Pennsylvania and Michigan at 1.2%, and North Carolina at 1.1%, according to Pew Research. Republicans won Georgia and North Carolina in 2016, while losing Pennsylvania and Michigan.
A statement provided to NBC News from the Georgia Chapter of the American Hindu Coalition — which identifies as a nonpartisan advocacy group — and posted by Greene on social media also warned about Loomer’s rhetoric, stating that while «President Trump and his dedicated allies — such as Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene — have worked tirelessly to build a future where every American can thrive … recent statements that attempt to divide our community along racial or ethnic lines, specifically those made by Ms. Laura Loomer, are completely unacceptable and do not reflect the values of this movement or the America we seek to build.»
Una ceremonia para conmemorar el aniversario de los ataques terroristas del 11 de septiembre en el Memorial y Museo del 11 de Septiembre, el miércoles 11 de septiembre de 2024, en Nueva York. (AP Foto/Evan Vucci)
Indian Americans account for a little over 1% of the total U.S. population, according to Census estimates. Georgia has the highest share of any 2024 battleground state at about 1.5% of its population, followed by Pennsylvania and Michigan at 1.2%, and North Carolina at 1.1%. Georgia and North Carolina are among the closest states in the 2024 presidential race, with most public polling showing the margins between Harris and Trump within just a few percentage points. Critically, both states have recent track records of ticket-splitting, with a portion of MAGA-skeptical voters making a decisive impact.
Trump appeared to try distancing himself from Loomer, telling reporters at a press conference in California, «I don’t control Laura. Laura — she’s a, she’s a free spirit. Well, I don’t know. I mean, look, I can’t tell Laura what to do.» But he can kick her off the plane and choose not to be seen in public with her.
After the debate, Loomer promoted a false claim that during the presidential debate, Harris wore audio earrings that helped her communicate with advisers onstage. The theory was widely debunked. A Trump ally said, «I think he needs to go further. She needs to be completely removed. I will not tolerate it, and I just cannot tolerate her comments. I don’t want her anywhere near us at all. This is not who we are as a party.»
Reached by NBC News via text, Loomer repeated Trump’s claim that she does not work for his campaign and criticized those raising concerns about her, saying, «[H]ow come they are gossiping to the media instead of knocking on doors and campaigning in Georgia and North Carolina? Gossiping is much easier than working. I work every day in support of Donald Trump. I spend over 19 hours a day working in support of Donald Trump and have dedicated all of my time to helping him win. Perhaps they should do the same.»
Loomer made another statement on X (formerly Twitter) that garnered fresh criticism. Just two days after the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks — a day she spent attending 9/11 memorial services with Trump — she wrote, «23 years later, and there are still a lot of unanswered questions,» alongside a video of Trump in 2001 questioning whether airplanes could hit the Twin Towers with enough force to collapse them.
The right-wing social media influencer also engaged in several online spats this week with Republican lawmakers such as Greene of Georgia and Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. After Loomer’s post referencing the smell of curry, Greene responded writing, «This is appalling and extremely racist. It does not represent who we are as Republicans or MAGA. This does not represent President Trump. This type of behavior should not be tolerated ever.»
But, as a reminder, Trump has never properly honored military heroes, calling them «suckers and losers.» So, unfortunately, it’s not surprising that he would have Loomer at the 9/11 events. This tragedy, which brought fear and pain to so many, is why we must honor those affected by this god-awful chapter in our history.
But when will the Republican Party push this woman away from their candidate? Many down-ballot candidates don’t want to be in a position of defending her and her association with Trump. Tomorrow may be too late.
Welcoming Week 2024 in Philadelphia is taking place September 13-27
PHILADELPHIA– Welcoming Week is an annual campaign celebrated around the globe that connects neighbors of all backgrounds through community-informed activities and events. In Philadelphia, the Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA) helps to organize and promote events and activities across the city. This year’s theme, “We’re All In,” invites communities to showcase how they’re building environments that value all perspectives, backgrounds, experiences, and cultures. Now in its 12th year, Welcoming Week 2024 is a call for individuals and groups to come together and celebrate their strengths and differences.
“As a United City, One Philadelphia, we are proud to be one of the many cities across the globe hosting Welcoming Week programs that provide individuals and communities the opportunity to publicly proclaim welcoming values, foster a mutual understanding between immigrants and non-immigrants, and build a deeper sense of belonging for all,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “This is a chance to celebrate the strengths and differences of our residents and recognize that we are at our best when we work collectively on building welcoming environments together, for immigrants and native-born Philadelphians.”
“Philadelphia and its leaders encourage and celebrate welcoming every single day. This year, Mayor Parker created the first ever Office of Latino Engagement and the first-ever Office of Muslim Engagement. The City will also continue to host several PHL Honors Diversity flag-raising ceremonies, celebrating our diverse immigrant communities. Additionally, several city and community partners are celebrating Welcoming Week by hosting their own events such as a career fair for immigrants and refugees, and a free legal clinic to help people apply for citizenship. Welcoming and ‘We’re all in’ is more than just a feeling. It is the daily action that all take in Philadelphia,” said Amy Eusebio, Executive Director, Office of Immigrant Affairs.
Events scheduled for Welcoming Week 2024 include:
A Taste of Edible Alphabet
Monday, September 16 | 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Culinary Center at Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library
1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia PA 19103
The Culinary Literacy Center will mark Welcoming Week through a cooking demonstration and tasting centered around one of the Culinary Literacy Center’s signature programs: Edible Alphabet English. The program will be led by Edible Alphabet staff and participants and the tasting will feature two global vegetarian recipes: Chilean Tomaticán and Turkish Zeytinyagli Pirasa. Thisevent is at capacity but this is an ongoing program of the Free Library of Philadelphia.
Immigrant and Refugee Career Fair by the City’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS)
Wednesday, September 25 | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
801 Market Street, Philadelphia PA 19107
The 2024 Immigrant and Refugee Career Fair will bring together a wide range of employers and organizations to meet with and support multilingual and multicultural communities. Register to attend here.
Be/Longing Exhibit by the Free Library of Philadelphia
Now through Tuesday, October 1 | Any time during library operating hours
1901 Vine Street (between 19th and 20th Streets on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway) Philadelphia, PA 19103
BE/LONGING is a polyphonic exhibition on the longing, belonging, and connection that library spaces in Philadelphia can inspire. Featuring work by artist Joanne Grüne-Yanoff and curation by exhibitions curator Suzanna Urminska, this community collaborative reflects on how libraries have the power to serve as places of resource, refuge, contemplation, engagement, and wonder.
To view a full list of events, visit the Welcoming Week event spotlight page here
In 2012, Welcoming America, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that leads a movement of inclusive communities becoming more prosperous by ensuring everyone belongs, launched Welcoming Week with the belief that communities are strongest when everyone who lives in them feels welcome. Back then, Welcoming Week engaged 20 communities in the United States. Today, more than 600 events take place in-person and virtually across the globe for Welcoming Week. Philadelphia has hosted Welcoming Week Programming since 2016, engaging community stakeholders and institutional partners in programming and events that make Philadelphia more welcoming for all.
This is a sample of an official election ballot provided by the Allegheny County Election Division in Pittsburgh, April 18, 2024. (Photo: AP/Gene J. Puskar/ File)
U.S. law bans noncitizens from voting in federal elections, such as races for president, U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. Like many states, Pennsylvania also prohibits noncitizens from voting in elections for state offices.
A 1996 federal law allows fines and imprisoned for up to a year for noncitizens who vote in federal elections. Violators can also be deported. When people in the U.S. register to vote, they swear under penalty of perjury that they are U.S. citizens.
In Pennsylvania, only people who meet various requirements, including citizenship, can register to vote. Under the state constitution, a voter must “have been a citizen of the United States at least one month,” in addition to meeting state and voting district residency requirements.
If a noncitizen attempted to vote in a Pennsylvania election, they would be subject to penalties, including imprisonment and deportation, said Ellen Lyon, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of State.
The department is “not aware of any instances of noncitizens registering to vote or voting in any recent elections,” Lyon said in an email to The Associated Press.
Studies show noncitizens aren’t illegally voting in high numbers, according to Ron Hayduk, a political science professor at San Francisco State University who studies noncitizen voting laws.
While there have been some reports of noncitizens illegally casting ballots, such incidents are “infinitesimal,” Hayduk said.
Research by the Brennan Center for Justice in 2017 looked at 42 jurisdictions across the U.S. in the 2016 election, and reported that of 23.5 million votes cast, election officials found about 30 cases of potential noncitizen voting that they referred for prosecution or further investigation.
A Georgia audit of its voter rolls conducted in 2022 found fewer than 2,000 instances of noncitizens attempting to register to vote over the last 25 years, none of which succeeded. Millions of new Georgia voters registered during that time.
In 2017, Pennsylvania acknowledged that it had to fix a glitch that allowed noncitizen immigrants to register to vote when getting a driver’s license. At one point, state election officials said noncitizen immigrants may have cast 544 ballots illegally — out of more than 93 million ballots in elections spanning 18 years, going back to 2000.
Claims that noncitizens are voting in large numbers have been «clearly debunked over and over and over again,” said Daniel Mallinson, an associate professor of public policy and administration at Penn State.
Though no state constitutions explicitly allow noncitizens to vote, some municipalities in California, Maryland and Vermont, as well as the District of Columbia, do allow voting by noncitizens in some local elections such as for school board and city council.
