Some voters switch political parties in the wake of riot at the U.S. Capitol
Teresa BoeckelSome voters in central Pennsylvania have switched parties after the attack at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.
Nearly 100 voters in Lebanon County have changed their affiliation, which is more than normal for the same period in the past, said Michael L. Anderson, director of the election and voter registration office.
"We can pretty much tell it's driven by the events of last week," he said.
Most are Republican voters who switched to the Democratic, Libertarian or independent parties, he said.
Last week's attack happened after President Donald Trump spoke to supporters at a "Save America Rally" across from the White House.
“We’re going walk down to the Capitol, and we’re going to cheer on our brave senators, and congressmen and women. And we’re probably not going to be cheering so much for some of them because you’ll never take back our country with weakness,” the president said. “You have to show strength, and you have to be strong.”
Five people died during or following the attack.
And some congressional Republicans have been condemned for continuing their efforts to negate the results of the presidential election, even after the violence.
In Lancaster County, Republicans lost control of East Lampeter Township after three supervisors decided to leave the GOP, Lancaster Online reported.
The supervisors — Corey Meyer, John Blowers and Ethan Demme — issued a joint letter to the Republican Committee of Lancaster County, citing the denial of the 2020 election results and the "fomented seeds of sedition" that resulted in violence at the U.S. Capitol.
"Enough is enough and such behavior cannot be excused or ignored," the letter stated. "The Republican Party we once knew is gone and has left us behind. As a result, we are disaffiliating from the Republican Party and will seek to work as Independents with anyone who strives for good government, decency for his neighbors, and the rule of law."
In Cumberland County, 192 people switched party affiliation, according to the Associated Press. The majority — 179 voters — left the GOP while 13 became Republicans.
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In Franklin County, District Attorney Matt Fogel said this week that he no longer is a Republican. He submitted an application to switch to "not affiliated" shortly after the Nov. 3 election.
"I am a prosecutor and will continue to exercise my duties, serve my community and Nation at this most critical time, and continue to steadfastly support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," he wrote in a statement. "That is my primary focus, as it must be."
The Franklin County election and voter registration office hasn't seen anything extraordinary in terms of voter changes, director Jennie Aines said.
York County has seen some shifts with voter affiliation, although many have been going in a different direction than some of the other counties, commissioner Julie Wheeler said. About 50 people switched to the GOP while 36 Republicans have moved to another party.
Sometimes switches with party affiliation stem from a misconception, Anderson said. For example, some voters think they have to change to the party of the candidate they wish to elect. Party affiliation matters for a primary but not for a general election.