A recent ruling from the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania could result in the potential discarding of mail-in ballots that do not bear accurate dates on their return envelopes. The ruling came as a potential game-changer in the approaching presidential race. The verdict was decided on procedural grounds, reversing a previous ruling by a lower court that called the requirement unenforceable.
Originally, the case was criticized for not involving the election boards from all 67 of the state’s counties. The Supreme Court’s ruling on this case renders the decision of the Commonwealth Court, issued a fortnight ago to cease the enforcement of the handwritten dates on the external envelopes, null and void.
With the reversal of the Commonwealth Court’s decision, concerns are rising about the fate of numerous ballots that make it in time but may still be discarded due to incongruencies with exterior envelope dates. This comes into effect in a state known for swinging in favor of either party in the presidential race.
It is worth noting that in Pennsylvania, the predilection for mail-in ballots is notably higher among Democrats as compared to Republicans. When looking at previous elections, it appears that senior voters are more likely to face invalidation of their mail-in ballots for issues stemming from date-related inconsistencies on the external envelope.
The community organizations that challenged the decision, represented by legal advocates, voiced concerns that the verdict leaves room for further litigation on the subject. The decision by the Supreme Court in Pennsylvania came as a close call, with a 4-3 divide, two Democrats sided with the Republicans lending weight to overturn the earlier Commonwealth Court decision.
However, three Democratic justices took a distinct stance, expressing they would have preferred for the high court itself to address this dispute. Initiated in May, the lawsuit contended that enforcing the mandate was a violation of the state constitutional provision stipulating that elections should remain ‘free and equal.’
Assessments of recent electoral events in Pennsylvania suggest that the incoming general election may witness upwards of 10,000 ballots being dismissed due to errors or omissions in envelope dates. With margins razor-thin in the presidential race, such incidents could be consequential in determining the final outcome.
Pennsylvania commands considerable focus on the electoral map due to its 19 electoral votes – the highest among the seven swing states. Looking back at past elections, there have been instances of ballots being rejected due to the lack of any date on the envelopes or dates that are noticeably incorrect, such as predicting future dates or dates prior to the printing of mail-in ballots.
Despite the requirement for envelope dates as per state law, these are not utilized by election officials to verify whether ballots are submitted on time. Here, it is important to underline that the receipt of mail-in ballots is marked by logging them in and stamping them with the time they are received.
The condition is that the ballots must be at the county election offices before the polls close on Election Day. Beyond the presidential contest, the ballots this fall in Pennsylvania will also carry another significant decision.
Voters will have to choose whether to re-elect incumbent U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, a Democrat, or cast their vote for his Republican challenger, Dave McCormick. It’s an important decision as the balance of power in the Senate also significantly impacts a presidency.
In addition to the aforementioned races, voters in Pennsylvania will also be deciding the fate of a hefty 228 state legislative contests. These down-ballot races, while often overlooked amid the more prominent high stakes ones, are crucial in influencing day-to-day governance at the local level.
Rounding out the ballot, Pennsylvania voters will also determine the occupants of three state-level positions: treasurer, auditor general, and attorney general. These offices, while less known to the general public, carry an immense weight of responsibility in maintaining the healthy functioning of the state’s financial and legal frameworks.
The recent ruling about mail-in ballot dating, therefore, has implications reaching far beyond the Presidential race. Whether voters decide to stand by their incumbent U.S. Senator or choose a new face might also be impacted by this ruling.
Considering the importance of accurate mail-in ballot dating and the potential impact it could have on the state elections – from the presidency down to local positions – Pennsylvania voters have a lot to consider. Their decisions carry significant weight upon the political landscape of their state and, in a larger sense, the nation itself.
In light of these circumstances, voters are encouraged to ensure the accuracy of their mail-in ballots, particularly date-related elements, to make sure their votes count. As the state moves towards important decisions about its political future, every vote carries the potential to make a difference.