Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court upholds election integrity, rejecting efforts to count improperly dated mail-in ballots in a crucial Senate race.
At a Glance
- Pennsylvania Supreme Court rules 4-3 against counting incorrectly dated or undated mail-in ballots
- Republican David McCormick leads Democrat Bob Casey by about 31,000 votes
- Ruling impacts election boards in Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties
- Decision reinforces strict adherence to ballot requirements despite Democratic objections
Supreme Court Ruling Reinforces Ballot Requirements
In a significant 4-3 decision, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled that mail-in ballots with incorrect or missing dates will not be counted in the 2024 election. This ruling directly impacts the hotly contested Senate race between Republican David McCormick and incumbent Democrat Bob Casey, where McCormick currently holds a lead of approximately 31,000 votes.
The court’s decision specifically addresses election boards in Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties, reinforcing the need for strict adherence to ballot requirements. This ruling comes as a blow to Democratic officials who had argued for the inclusion of these disputed ballots.
Republican Victory in Legal Battle
The Republican Party, which filed 12 lawsuits to enforce proper ballot dating requirements, sees this as a significant victory for election integrity. Most counties, including some Democratic-controlled ones, had already excluded the disputed ballots in line with existing laws.
“Today’s ruling is a massive setback to Senator Casey’s attempt to count illegal ballots. Bucks County and others blatantly violated the law in an effort to help Senator Casey. Senator-elect McCormick is very pleased with this ruling and looks forward to taking the Oath of Office in a few short weeks.” – Elizabeth Gregory
The ruling confirms that requiring handwritten dates on mail-in ballots is constitutional, supporting the GOP’s position. This decision is particularly crucial as the race’s narrow margin has triggered an automatic recount under Pennsylvania law, which requires a recount for margins below 0.5%.
BREAKING: The Supreme Court leaves in place a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling that allows voters in the battleground state who submit mail-in ballots that are rejected as defective to submit provisional ballots on Election Day instead. #SCOTUS pic.twitter.com/OoMKAeyftI
— Katie Buehler (@bykatiebuehler) November 1, 2024
Democratic Response and Ongoing Litigation
Despite the court’s ruling, the Casey campaign has not conceded the race. Both campaigns continue to engage in litigation over provisional ballot decisions. The recount process, estimated to cost taxpayers $1 million, is set to proceed.
“As we move forward, I want to be clear: any insinuation that our laws can be ignored or do not matter is irresponsible and does damage to faith in our electoral process” – Democrat Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro
Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro, while critical of the lack of clarity surrounding undated ballots, has acknowledged the need to follow the court’s ruling. This stance underscores the importance of adhering to established election laws, even when they may not align with partisan preferences.
Implications for Future Elections
This ruling sets a precedent for future elections in Pennsylvania, emphasizing the importance of correctly completing mail-in ballots. It also highlights the ongoing debate between election security measures and voter accessibility. As the state moves forward, this decision will likely influence how election officials and voters approach the mail-in voting process in upcoming elections.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision reinforces the critical role of following established election procedures, ensuring that every valid vote is counted while maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. As the recount proceeds, both parties will be watching closely to see how this ruling impacts the final outcome of this closely contested Senate race.
Sources:
- Pa. Supreme Court orders counties not to count undated mail ballots as Senate recount set to begin
- Pennsylvania Supreme Court upholds exclusion of certain mail-in ballots, in victory for GOP
- Pennsylvania’s high court orders counties not to count disputed ballots in US Senate race
- Dem-Controlled PA Supreme Court Slaps Down Bob Casey’s Efforts To Count Invalid Mail-In Ballots: ‘Critical to the Rule of Law’
