The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that mail-in ballots could be thrown out if voters do not accurately write dates on the envelopes used to return them, a decision that could impact the presidential race. The lower court’s decision to halt enforcement of the handwritten dates on exterior envelopes was reversed by the Supreme Court on procedural grounds. This raises the prospect of thousands of ballots being invalidated in a key swing state with a close presidential contest.
More Democrats than Republicans vote by mail in Pennsylvania, and older voters are disproportionately affected by mail-in ballot issues. The Supreme Court justices voted 4-3 to vacate the Commonwealth Court decision, with two Democrats joining both Republicans. A dissenting opinion from three Democratic justices argued that the high court should have addressed the dispute promptly due to its importance for the upcoming general election.
The lawsuit, filed in May, argued that the mandate for accurate dates on envelopes was not enforceable under a state constitutional provision guaranteeing free and equal elections. Based on past elections in Pennsylvania, it is estimated that over 10,000 ballots in the upcoming general election could be invalidated due to envelope date issues, potentially affecting the outcome of the presidential race due to the state’s 19 electoral votes.
In addition to the presidential race, Pennsylvania voters will also decide on the replacement of incumbent US Senator Bob Casey with Republican challenger Dave McCormick. The state will also hold elections for 228 state legislative contests, as well as for state treasurer, auditor general, and attorney general. Both sides of the case have been sought for comments on the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Overall, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the requirement for accurate dates on mail-in ballot envelopes could have significant implications for the upcoming general election in the state. With the potential for thousands of ballots to be invalidated, the presidential race and other key races in Pennsylvania may be influenced by this ruling. The disagreement among the justices on the court highlights the importance and complexity of the issue, with both procedural and constitutional arguments at play. Voters and candidates will need to be aware of the impact of this ruling on the electoral process and work to ensure that their votes are counted in the upcoming election.
