As a crucial swing state, Pennsylvania is often the target of election-related misinformation, according to a staff report from The Keystone.

Social media users have made several false suggestions regarding the integrity of the voting process, including baseless allegations about foul play involving deceased voters.

“This just comes up over and over again, these concerns about the election system,” said Daniel Mallinson, an associate professor of public policy and administration at Penn State.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Pennsylvania is one of nine states with laws that prevent counting absentee ballots submitted by voters who pass away before Election Day.

County election officials in Pennsylvania update their voter registration lists using data on resident deaths from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, which is regularly transmitted to the Pennsylvania Department of State.

To confirm that a voter has died, counties can use information from the health department, published obituaries, and testamentary documents, said Geoff Morrow, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of State.

“Once a voter is marked deceased, the ballot, if returned, cannot be accepted,” said David Voye, division manager for the Allegheny County Elections Division.

Read more about how Pennsylvania is ensuring deceased individuals’ votes aren’t casted in The Keystone.

_____