Video of torn ballots in Bucks Co. is fake, prosecutors confirm

BUCKS COUNTY, Pa. — A viral video that appears to show torn ballots for former President Donald Trump is fake, authorities say.

The Bucks County District Attorney's Office and the Yardley Borough Police Department issued a statement late Thursday saying they were aware of a video circulating on social media that appears to show ballots being destroyed.

“Our investigation concluded that this video was faked to undermine confidence in the upcoming election,” said Manuel Gamiz Jr., communications director for the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office.

He said the DA's office contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation to determine the source of the produced video.

“We would like to thank the public and the county elections board for bringing this to our attention. The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office will not tolerate voter suppression, intimidation or fraud of any kind,” Gamiz said.

“The envelope and materials depicted in this video are clearly not authentic materials owned by or distributed by the Bucks County Board of Elections,” the Bucks County Board of Elections said in a statement Thursday.

Both Bucks County political parties also issued statements regarding the fake viral video.

“This blatantly fraudulent and, frankly, racist video is little more than a despicable attempt by supporters of Donald Trump to challenge our mail-in voting system and ultimately the outcome of the presidential election,” said a statement from State Senator Steve Santarsiero , Chairman of the Bucks County Democratic Party: “It is clear that those who made this video and those who now want to spread it on the Internet are afraid that Donald Trump will lose again, and that is the case. “ an act of desperation to sow doubt about the election of Kamala Harris as President of the United States, which we fully expect. Fortunately, we believe the public will recognize this for what it is and that the electoral process will proceed without incident.”

The Bucks County Republican Committee also responded.

“We have seen the video circulating online showing someone, allegedly in Bucks County, tearing up ballots containing votes for President Donald Trump. We immediately worked with our attorneys, as well as attorneys for the Trump campaign, to investigate this. The Bucks County “The Board of Elections has confirmed that the actions depicted in this video did not occur,” the GOP party said in its statement.

“The video is fake because, for example, the color of the envelopes is the wrong shade of green, the paper is not the same quality as the Bucks County Board of Elections, the envelopes are missing a return address, and there is no employee at Bucks.” “The Board of Elections of the county matches the description of the person in the video,” the statement said.

No absentee or absentee ballots have been opened and counted until Nov. 5, the county election board and the Bucks GOP said.

“To us, this is disinformation designed to scare voters and discourage them from using mail-in ballots or on-demand voting, which uses the same mail-in voting process. “We've seen dirty, underhanded tactics this year, like defacing signs, and letters threatening Trump supporters, and now this video trying to scare Bucks County voters,” she said Bucks GOP.

The Bucks GOP said county elections board staff help hundreds of voters every day and work tirelessly to process all applications received.

“Our county party chair and staff all voted by mail because we are confident our system works and is safe in Bucks County,” the statement concluded. “We will remain vigilant.” We will continue to work to help voters and ensure every vote is properly counted. Please don't let their scaremongering work. Please continue to vote and let us win!”