Shapiro says 14,576 non-citizens claim unproven
The Pennsylvania governor argues the federal government's voter roll figures lack specific data, citing a 43-0 legal record from the 2020 election.
By Amina Howard ·
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is campaigning for re-election while simultaneously seeking to flip congressional seats, but he says his primary focus remains on proving a specific federal claim wrong. That claim suggests as many as 14,576 non-citizens are registered to vote in the state.
Shapiro told CBS News' 'Face the Nation' on Sunday that the Department of Homeland Security provided a press release with that figure but did not follow up with the specific names needed to verify the status of those individuals. He described the number as a potential maximum rather than a confirmed count. 'Could is the operative word,' Shapiro said. 'If they have it, I want it, and we will act on it immediately.'
The governor, a Democrat, emphasized that his administration has requested the data repeatedly. He noted that Secretary of State Al Schmidt, a Republican appointed by Shapiro to oversee elections, maintains strict guardrails to ensure voter eligibility. Shapiro said the state will work with prosecutors to remove ineligible voters if the federal government provides the actual evidence rather than just a headline number.
Shapiro also addressed the federal presence in the state, noting that the Pennsylvania State Police does not handle immigration enforcement for the Department of Homeland Security or ICE. He pointed to a recent victory where his administration blocked the construction of two large detention centers in Berks County and Schuylkill County.
Regarding the upcoming November election, Shapiro expressed confidence that Democrats are ahead in at least three of the four competitive congressional districts in Pennsylvania. He stated that the goal is to win a trifecta in Harrisburg, a political achievement not accomplished in the state since 1992. He said he is running as a 'GSD Democrat,' focusing on executing policies and delivering results rather than simply opposing President Trump.
When asked about expectations for post-election challenges, Shapiro referenced his experience as Attorney General in 2020. He said Trump and his allies sued him 43 times to overturn results, and Shapiro won every case. He announced that a task force was established more than a year ago to prepare for similar legal strategies this year. Shapiro recently sued and won a challenge to an executive order that sought to limit mail voting.
The governor dismissed speculation about a future presidential run, citing comments from Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick and Democrat Sen. Chris Coons. He said he is focused on the current midterms and is on a 10-day bus tour across the Commonwealth. He noted that he visits districts where Trump won by wide margins, including one with 80% support, to compete for votes.
