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Officials Strike Back Against Voter Fraud Accusations

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Continued attacks on the integrity of the election process prompted an unusual news conference today.

Elected officials from both parties, and non-partisan watch dogs, united to assure Philadelphians they can have confidence in their vote.

"The real threat to the integrity of elections in Philadelphia isn't voter fraud."

Al Schmidt is the minority, that is, the Republican representative on the city commission so he was chosen to address claims that the election could be stolen by cheating in Philadelphia.

"The real threat to the integrity of elections is irresponsible accusations that undermine confidence in the electoral process."

Schmidt stresses he is not commenting on remarks by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, but it is Trump who has most vocally raised suspicions, including online tweets, this morning, calling fellow party members, including his running mate, "naive" to deny voter fraud.

Officials noted there are many ways to report perceived improprieties on Election Day, such as:

• 866-OUR-VOTE hotline (866-687-8683) for English
• 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682) for Spanish
• 888-API-VOTE (888-273-8683) for a variety of Asian languages

Or the county board of elections: 215-686-3943

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