Mother accuses Pennsylvania school official of pressuring daughter to register to vote as a Democrat

The Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) district is doing damage control after registering students to vote without parental knowledge or consent – with one mom asserting her daughter felt pressured into registering as a Democrat.

“The mom, who goes by the username Kay Montana on TikTok, claims her 17-year-old was pulled out of class and encouraged to register as a Democrat,” WPXI-TV reported. “Montana identifies as a Trump supporter.”

In the video, Montana shows screenshots of her daughter’s messages where a school staffer “kept saying how it’ll be bad if I picked trump bc of what he was doing to the Mexicans and stuff,” she texted. 

Later Montana posted another video where she confronted the staff member, who argued no political opinions were shared during the conversation. 

However, the official later admitted upon further questions to discussing “things that are going on in the world,” including border policies. She had originally denied “ever discussing politics or beliefs or anything like that.” 

“Obviously we’re going to agree to disagree on this conversation,” she said in the recording, adding to the student, “I apologize if you felt like you were pressured.” 

She also apologized to Montana: “I apologize for registering your daughter to vote without your consent, and without you having the opportunity to have a conversation with her or even checking anything online.” 

Later the PPS office released a statement citing Act 35 of 2018, which “supports student voter registration within schools.” 

“Schools are responsible for informing students about voter registration opportunities and offering necessary assistance, which may include one-on-one support,” the statement read. 

The district denied any wrongdoing while Montana’s daughter was being registered, noting the video recording occurred without the staffer’s knowledge or consent. 

“The staff member, who also serves as a Minority Inspector of Elections, affirms that no political opinions were shared, nor was there any attempt to influence the student’s party affiliation. There is no evidence to support the parent’s allegations.” 

Montana’s daughter doesn’t turn 18 until Oct. 5 and had until Oct. 21 to register as a voter, Montana says in her recorded meeting with the official. 

“I am her mother, and I have yet to have this conversation with her about the upcoming election,” she said. 

“I could’ve took her as her mother and I could’ve explained to her what to do, to look up both policies without me telling her anything.”