Voter Challenge Public Records Request

Dear Eva Xiao,

Welcome to the Allegheny County Right to Know (RTK) Open Records Center. We have received your RTK Request.

Thank you for using the RTK Open Records Center.

Sincerely,

Allegheny County

--- Please respond above this line ---
07/02/2024
Eva Xiao MuckRock News, DEPT MR166611 263 Huntington Ave Boston, MA 02115 RE: Public Information Request Received 7/2/2024 Reference Number: #W018321-070224 Dear Eva Xiao: This is in response to your request for records made pursuant the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (RTKL).   Your request, which this Office received on 7/2/2024, is for the following records:
To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Pennsylvania Right to Know Act, I hereby request the following records:

1) County data for all challenges to other voters’ registrations from November 3, 2020 to the time that the request is processed. Please make sure that the responsive documents include the name of the person who filed the voter challenge as well as the materials they submitted as part of their challenge claim.

2) Correspondence and details related to the processing and, if applicable, the outcome (approval, rejection, etc.) of the voter challenge claim.

3) If maintained: any documents, lists, or spreadsheets that illustrate or track how many voter registration challenges have been filed by specific individuals. (Ex. any document that would show that a John Doe filed 30 voter registration challenges, Jane Doe filed 20, etc.)

I would like these records in electronic format, sent via email or other digital method.

If there are any questions about my request, I am happy to hop on the phone (914-817-4482) in addition to corresponding via email.

If you determine that any of the information qualifies for an exemption from disclosure, I ask you to note whether the exemption is discretionary, and if so whether it is necessary in this case to exercise your discretion to withhold the information. In any event, please provide a signed notification citing the legal authorities on which you rely if you determine that any of the information is exempt and will not be disclosed.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Eva Xiao

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
Your request must be respectfully denied.

The records you requested are not subject to the Right-to-Know Law (RTKL).  Access to these records is governed by Section 2648 of the Pennsylvania Election Code, not the RTKL.

Section 3101.1 of the RTKL states that if the provisions of the RTKL regarding access to records conflict with any other federal or state law, the provisions of the RTKL shall not apply.  In this case, the Pennsylvania Election Code controls access to, and the right to inspect, records related to elections.

You should submit a request to the Allegheny County Elections Division at the address below.  Please do not reference this as a RTKL request.

David Voye, Manager
Allegheny County Elections Division
542 Forbes Avenue - Suite 312
Pittsburgh, PA  15219
412-350-4500
electionsinfo@alleghenycounty.us

Pursuant to Section 1101 of the RTKL a party denied access to a requested record may file a written appeal of the denial with the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records ("OOR") within fifteen (15) business days of the mailing date of the local agency's response.  The OOR's address is:

Pennsylvania Office of Open Records
333 Market Street - 16th Floor
Harrisburg, PA  17126-0333
Sincerely, /s/ Jessica Garofolo County of Allegheny Open Records Officer