The Republican National Committee (RNC) reported in a statement that four court-appointed Republican poll watchers were either blocked from entering or kicked out of several Philadelphia polling places Tuesday morning.

Republican poll observers were also turned away from York, Westmoreland, Allegheny, Lehigh, Cambria, Wyoming, and Lackawanna counties, RNC Chairman Michael Whatley reported on social media.

“We deployed our roving attorneys, engaged with local officials, and can now report that all Republican poll watchers have been let into the building,” Whatley said.   

In Philadelphia, RNC attorneys connected with Democrat District Attorney Larry Krasner, and officials were contacted in the other counties, an RNC official said on background.

“There is a history of this happening in Philadelphia, specifically because it’s such a Democrat area,” the RNC official said.

“This is a crime, and should not happen in a fair and secure election,” the RNC said in a statement. “Refusing to allow Republicans in the room threatens the integrity and security of Pennsylvania’s elections.”

As the Federalist reported in 2020, Democrat poll watchers outnumbered Republican poll watchers in Philadelphia. When ballots were counted at the Philadelphia Convention Center, Republican observers were either kept out, or allowed inside but kept too far away from the counting to see what was happening.

The public is urged to report any election issues to PA.ProtectTheVote.com.

This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Beth Brelje is an elections correspondent for The Federalist. She is an award-winning investigative journalist with decades of media experience.