August 03, 2026 - Erie, PA
Secretary of State Al Schmidt today visited the Benedictine Sisters of Erie Monastery to celebrate their Margaret Chase Smith American Democracy Award from the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) and to induct two members of their community into the Pennsylvania Voter Hall of Fame."I nominated the Sisters for this national award for their courage in refuting false voter fraud claims against them and using their time in the spotlight to encourage people to be conscientious consumers of social media," Schmidt said. "They're true role models of civic engagement. They vote faithfully, carpooling to the polls on Election Day or casting their ballots by mail. One member of their community has also served as a poll worker, enabling members of the larger Erie community to make their voices heard."Two weeks before the 2024 presidential election, a post on X went viral claiming that a political operative had gone to the Sisters' monastery, where 53 voters were registered, and found that "NO ONE lives there."List of Speakers:Sister Diane RabeSister Stephanie Schmidt, the community's prioress at the timeSecretary of State Al SchmidtRobert E. Merski, House District 2Ian Maries-Bierly, chief of staff, county executiveErie Mayor Daria Devlin