GOP cries 'voter suppression' after woman handcuffed at Pennsylvania polling location

DELAWARE COUNTY, Pa. (TNND) — A woman labeled a supporter of former President Donald Trump was seen handcuffed by police at a Pennsylvania voting center.

Valerie Biancaniello posted the viral video on X. It shows a group of uniformed officers takingBiancaniello into custody.

A man in shock recorded the video of the incident.

"Wow. Wow. Wow, that's crazy! You locked her up? That's insane man," he says.

A woman in line is heard saying, "She's influencing people.

The man recording the video responds, "She's not influencing people. She is not at all."

The ordeal quickly raised concerns from Republicans and the GOP presidential nominee.

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley issued a statement and called the incident "voter suppression."

With only eight days until Election Day, Pennsylvanians across the commonwealth deserve every option available to exercise their civic duty. But voters are being turned away, given faulty information, and told their ballots will not be counted. This is nothing short of voter suppression, and we demand immediate action to ensure every legal vote can be cast and counted properly.

On Tuesday, Ryan Herlinger, a spokesman forDelaware County, stated Biancaniello was arrested and removed from the line. He later corrected himself and statedBiancaniello was briefly detained and issued a citation for disorderly conduct.

Multiple witnesses reported that Biancaniello wasdisruptive, belligerent, and attempted to influence voters while waiting in for mail-in ballot applications.

"Her behavior prompted several complaints from those in line," he stated in a response to The National News Desk's inquiry about the allegations.

Delaware County Park police, who were in the building providing security, responded to the incident Herlinger described as a "disturbance." They allegedly addressed her behavior and allowed her to remain in the lobby before she was told to leave and then later escorted out.

On Wednesday, Herlinger explainedBiancaniello was not in line for any service from the Election department.

He alleged that she spend two hours in the lobby area approaching people.

In a video posted on X byWhatley, the RNC Chair, identifiedBiancaniello as a Republican National Committee delegate, state committeewoman, and also a Trump supporter.

Biancaniello responded to the video where she is heard saying, " Do not get out of line" as she is taken into custody.

Thank you for sharing this video. That is me in the video being handcuffed and taken away. I broke NO laws. On the other hand, the Bureau of Elections worker telling everyone in line that they “should only be in this line if you have a pressing reason to vote” is VOTER SUPPRESSION. No one requires a “pressing need” to vote by mail, that is why it is called “no excuse mail in voting.” The election bureau worker also announced to the long line of voters “the wait is two hours and then we are going to put you in a second line, and then a third line.” Can you imagine if we said this to a long line of Democrat voters? I did not break any laws, though they tried to convince me I did. They put me in handcuffs, took me to a holding room where I was patted down, and then I was handcuffed to a bench. Eventually, the officer took the handcuffs off and walked me out of the building telling me I am getting a citation for disorderly conduct. I will fight that. I broke NO laws. I encouraged people to stay in line and vote. There are plenty of witnesses who know the truth. Please vote! #SwampTheVote! If they took me away in handcuffs, you could be next!

James Allen, the Director of Elections in Delaware County, told TNND they "take voting rights very seriously" and praised the police officer's actions.

“Voters have a right to participate in our democracy without being harassed or intimidated, and we applaud our Park Police for calming the disturbance and allowing voting to continue without disruption," Allen said in his statement.

Allen also stated safety at voting locations was his "top priority."

That’s why we have Voter Service Centers in multiple locations throughout the County, where voters can speak with knowledgeable Election staff for assistance—whether they need to request or replace a mail ballot or get answers to any election-related questions. These centers are open six days a week, and we want every voter to know that they will find a safe, welcoming environment at all of our locations.

Biancaniello has denied trying to influence voters. She claims she was telling people to stay in line, which is what was heard in the video.

Claimed witnesses posted online that the lines were being cut off before the 5 p.m. deadline and turned away from the polls in the battleground state.

The RNC Chair alleged that his office has received complaints of computers going down and polling sites closing early.

Whatley stated thatPennsylvania voters have been told thatmail ballots will not be counted.

Tuesday, October 29, is the last day to request a mail-in ballot in person at a county election office in Pennsylvania.

Whatley provided the letter he sent to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Al Schmidt, "demanding the state to protect the people's right to vote."

"No voter should be turned away, told an office is closing early, or told they cannot be accommodated if they appear during the posted business hours,"Whatley added in his statement.

Trump responded saying, "President Trump's supporters should not be intimidated or turned away at the polls." He also echoedWhatley's remarks, calling the incident "voter suppression."

This incident remains an active criminal investigation under the jurisdiction of the District Attorney’s Office.