Request for Statewide Election Accounting and Write-In Vote Verification

DENNIS ATIYEH 5828 Park Valley Road Schnecksville, PA 18078 Telephone: 610-799-5037 Email: risingson8102@gmail.com

November 5, 2026

VIA EMAIL AND CERTIFIED MAIL Agency Open Records Officer Pennsylvania Department of State 401 North Street, Room 306 Harrisburg, PA 17120 Email: RA-RTK-DOS@pa.gov

CC: The Honorable Al Schmidt Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 401 North Street, Room 302 Harrisburg, PA 17120

RE: FORMAL REQUEST FOR STATEWIDE ELECTION ACCOUNTING, WRITE-IN VOTE VERIFICATION, CANDIDATE QUALIFICATION RECORDS, AND ELECTION RECONCILIATION – NOVEMBER 3, 2026 GENERAL ELECTION

Dear Secretary Schmidt and Agency Open Records Officer:

I am writing to formally request a comprehensive accounting and production of election records relating to Pennsylvania's November 3, 2026 General Election, particularly the gubernatorial contest.

I previously raised concerns regarding the reporting of votes in the gubernatorial election, the accounting of write-in votes, the qualification of candidates appearing on the ballot, and discrepancies between the number of voters and the reported election totals.

I conducted a write-in campaign for Governor of Pennsylvania. I am concerned that votes cast for my candidacy were not properly accounted for or included in the announced gubernatorial election results.

I am requesting a complete and transparent accounting of the election records so that I can independently review the reported totals and determine whether all ballots and votes were properly counted, recorded, and reported.

I. STATEWIDE BALLOT ACCOUNTING AND VOTE RECONCILIATION

I request copies of all available statewide and county-level records documenting the following for the November 3, 2026 General Election:

1. The total number of registered voters in Pennsylvania as of the election date.

2. The total number of voters who participated in the November 3, 2026 General Election.

3. The total number of ballots issued to voters.

4. The total number of ballots returned and received by election officials.

5. The total number of ballots counted statewide.

6. The total number of ballots rejected, challenged, or determined invalid, including the reasons for rejection.

7. The total number of provisional ballots submitted, counted, rejected, or awaiting adjudication.

8. The total number of mail-in and absentee ballots received, counted, rejected, or remaining outstanding.

9. The total number of votes recorded specifically in the gubernatorial contest.

10. The total number of undervotes and overvotes recorded in the gubernatorial contest.

11. All statewide and county-level ballot reconciliation reports comparing ballots issued, ballots returned, ballots counted, and voter participation records.

12. Any reports identifying discrepancies between the number of voters recorded as participating and the number of ballots accounted for by election officials.

13. All final county canvass reports, official returns, and statewide certification documents.

II. WRITE-IN VOTE ACCOUNTING – DENNIS ATIYEH

As a candidate who conducted a statewide write-in campaign for Governor, I specifically request a complete accounting of all votes recorded for my candidacy.

Please provide:

1. The total number of write-in votes recorded for Dennis Atiyeh statewide.

2. The number of write-in votes recorded for Dennis Atiyeh in each of Pennsylvania's 67 counties.

3. The number of write-in votes recorded for Dennis Atiyeh in each individual precinct.

4. Copies of write-in tally sheets, precinct tabulation reports, county canvass records, and other documents identifying write-in votes.

5. Any records showing how write-in votes were categorized, combined, or rejected because of spelling variations, abbreviations, handwriting, or other differences in the candidate's name.

6. Records identifying write-in votes that were not attributed to a named candidate or were recorded as scattered write-in votes.

7. Any records documenting challenges, discrepancies, corrections, or adjustments involving write-in vote totals.

8. All available electronic reports, tabulator records, and county-level reports used to calculate the final statewide write-in totals.

9. Documentation showing how county election boards transmitted write-in vote totals to the Pennsylvania Department of State.

10. Any records establishing whether all write-in votes received by county election boards were included in the statewide gubernatorial results.

I specifically request that my write-in votes be identified separately rather than included solely within a general category of scattered write-in votes, to the extent those records are maintained and available.

III. CANDIDATE QUALIFICATION AND BALLOT ACCESS DOCUMENTATION

I also request documentation concerning the legal qualification and certification of the candidates who appeared in the 2026 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election.

I have raised concerns regarding whether the Democratic and Republican gubernatorial candidates satisfied the applicable Pennsylvania Election Code requirements for obtaining access to the general-election ballot. My understanding is that Pennsylvania election law establishes requirements concerning primary elections, nomination papers, and signature thresholds.

I am requesting the actual records establishing the basis upon which each candidate qualified for the ballot, including:

1. Official nomination petitions and nomination papers submitted by each gubernatorial candidate.

2. Records documenting the number of signatures submitted by each candidate, where applicable.

3. Records documenting the verification and acceptance or rejection of nomination-paper signatures.

4. Records identifying any signature challenges, objections, or legal determinations concerning candidate qualification.

5. Official primary-election returns and certifications identifying the candidates nominated by each political party.

6. Any nomination certificates or other documents used to qualify candidates for the general-election ballot.

7. Any written determinations, legal opinions, or administrative records identifying the statutory basis under which each gubernatorial candidate was certified for the November 3, 2026 General Election.

8. Records establishing whether any candidate qualified through an alternative nomination procedure rather than a primary election.

I specifically request the records concerning Josh Shapiro and the Republican gubernatorial nominee, Stacy Garrity, as well as any other candidates appearing in the gubernatorial contest.

I am seeking the actual documentation and applicable legal authority supporting their ballot qualification, rather than relying solely on published election results.

IV. RECONCILIATION OF THE APPROXIMATELY 7.8 MILLION FIGURE AND REPORTED VOTER TOTALS

In my previous written statement, I referenced approximately 7.8 million voters in Pennsylvania and expressed concern that the reported election totals may not account for all expected voter participation.

I am requesting the underlying records necessary to establish the correct figures.

Accordingly, I request:

1. All records supporting the approximately 7.8 million figure previously referenced in connection with Pennsylvania's election.

2. Records identifying whether that figure represents registered voters, eligible voters, ballots cast, ballots counted, or votes recorded in a particular contest.

3. The official statewide turnout calculations for the November 3, 2026 General Election.

4. The total number of ballots cast compared with the total number of ballots counted.

5. All existing reports identifying differences between voter participation records and ballots received, processed, counted, or rejected.

6. Any county-level or statewide reports identifying unresolved discrepancies in the election totals.

7. Any audit, reconciliation, or verification reports conducted by the Department of State or county election boards following the election.

I am not asking the Department to assume that votes are missing. I am requesting the underlying records necessary to determine whether all ballots and votes have been properly accounted for.

V. ELECTION AUDITS, CERTIFICATION, AND RECORD PRESERVATION

I further request copies of:

1. Any post-election audit reports concerning the November 3, 2026 General Election.

2. Risk-limiting audit documentation, where applicable.

3. County certification reports and statewide certification records.

4. Reports of discrepancies identified during canvassing or reconciliation.

5. Records of any recounts, retabulations, or corrections to election results.

6. Communications between the Department of State and county election boards concerning discrepancies in the gubernatorial vote totals or write-in vote reporting.

7. Written instructions provided to county election boards regarding the counting, categorization, and reporting of write-in votes.

I also respectfully request that the Department and relevant county election boards preserve all election-related records, including electronic tabulation data, write-in records, canvass reports, reconciliation worksheets, audit materials, and communications relevant to the November 3, 2026 General Election.

VI. FORMAL REQUEST UNDER THE PENNSYLVANIA RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW

Please treat Sections I through V of this letter as a formal written request for access to public records under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.

I request that responsive records be provided electronically whenever possible, preferably in searchable PDF, Excel, or CSV format.

If the Department does not maintain a particular record, please identify that fact in the written response.

If a requested record is maintained by an individual county election board rather than the Department of State, please identify the appropriate county agency, to the extent known.

If any portion of a requested record is withheld, please identify the specific statutory basis for withholding it and provide all reasonably segregable portions that may be disclosed.

If the scope of any request requires clarification, please contact me so that the request can be narrowed without unnecessarily delaying production.

I understand that the Department may need additional time under the Right-to-Know Law for certain requests. I request a timely written response within the applicable statutory period.

VII. REQUEST FOR WRITTEN RESPONSE

The purpose of this request is to establish a transparent and verifiable record of the November 3, 2026 General Election.

As a Pennsylvania citizen and a write-in candidate for Governor, I believe it is important that every properly cast ballot be accounted for and that the public have confidence in the accuracy and completeness of reported election results.

I am seeking a factual accounting of the votes cast, the votes counted, the write-in votes received, and the procedures used to certify the gubernatorial election.

I also seek documentation demonstrating that all candidates appearing on the general-election ballot satisfied the applicable requirements of Pennsylvania election law.

I respectfully request that the Department acknowledge receipt of this request and provide the requested records or a written explanation of any records that cannot be provided.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to receiving your response.

Respectfully,