As the saying goes, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”
Or, in this case, women voting.
The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania (LWVPA) has established special interest groups and political action committees that it claims are misleading voters ahead of the State Supreme Court elections.
“The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania is here today to set the record straight,” she said Amy Widestromexecutive director of the LWVPA, during a press conference on Thursday. “This material is false and willfully misrepresents both the facts of the 2018 League case and the Court’s constitutional role. When lawmakers refused to fix their unconstitutional map, the Court appointed an independent expert to draw fairer districts that reflected the will of voters. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court did not manipulate the map – it just ended it. It was not political; acted in accordance with the constitution. “
Retention election – where voters will decide whether Judges Christine Donohue, Kevin DoughertyAND David Wecht more time on the bench – they are perceived as critical in Republican circles. The 2018 League case refers to a lawsuit filed by the LWVPA and a group of Democratic Pennsylvania voters to invalidate the state’s 2011 congressional map as an unconstitutional partisan gerrymander under the state constitution.
The LWVPA convened this briefing to express concerns about what it calls the spread of billionaire-funded disinformation intended to confuse voters and undermine public confidence in the justice system. Interest group ads and PACs such as Commonwealth Leaders Fundlargely funded by Jeffrey Yassco-founder of Susquehanna International Group and the richest man in Pennsylvania, flooded and distorted the market facts about the League’s landmark 2018 redistricting case and misrepresent the role of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
President of the Management Board of LWVPA Zuzanna Gobreszki he did not blame the campaign, but criticized the tactics.
“Campaigns are one thing, spin is another, but intentionally false information is an abuse of the system,” Gobreski said. “That’s what Elon Musk what he tried to do in Wisconsin was use his wealth to buy the election. We don’t want Musk-style tactics in Pennsylvania. This is another reminder that we need campaign finance reform in Pennsylvania. There is a big difference between free speech and paid fraud. Everyone has a right to an opinion, but no one has the right to lie to voters and call it democracy. These postal items should be withdrawn.”
On your websiteThe League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania says it “encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The League does not support or oppose any political party or candidate, but takes – and always has taken – positions on the issues its members have studied.”
“At the League of Women Voters of Pittsburgh, we’ve heard from voters who are really confused by correspondence mentioning the League’s name,” she said Ruth Quintco-chairman of LWV Pittsburgh. “This is a real disservice to Pennsylvania voters. The league works hard every day to provide voters with the facts they need.”
Michel EmersonThe president of the LWV Capital Region noted that “this is part of a growing nationwide pattern in which ultra-wealthy individuals use their money to confuse voters, undermine confidence in elections and weaken independent courts.”
“Voters must believe that our justice system is fair, impartial and free from financial influence,” he said Ilene SheinsonLWV-Bucks County President. “That trust is being undermined by wealthy interests spreading disinformation to shape election outcomes.”
Widestrom urged voters to rely on reliable, unbiased sources of election information:
“Pennsylvania voters deserve better. Visit Vote411.org or visit the League’s website to learn how retention elections work and why fair courts are important. Together we can reject disinformation and protect our courts – and our democracy – from those who would distort it for their own gain.”
