
(DCWatchdog.com) – In a judicial crossroads that could have a major impact on the 2024 election, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court gears up to issue a ruling that could redefine mail-in voting protocols in the state.
At the core lies the contentious issue of notify-and-cure procedures for ballot errors, challenged by the Republican National Committee.
This decision could sway the balance between election security and accessibility.
Legal disputes over mail-in ballot counting are heating up just as Pennsylvania gears up for the general election.
Key issues at stake include “undated ballots” and “naked ballots,” where voters fail to comply with all voting rules, raising alarms over disenfranchisement.
In Pennsylvania, voters must submit mail-in ballots in two envelopes with signatures and dates on the outer envelope.
Thousands of ballots have already been rejected for missing a proper date, even though this date does not impact the deadline for receiving votes.
Voters with rejected ballots can choose to vote provisionally, but there are ongoing efforts to block these provisional ballots from being counted, WHYY report.
Republican groups are adamant that ballots not adhering to rules shouldn’t count, while voting rights advocates urge protection against disenfranchisement due to minor errors.
Notably, Democrats have been casting more mail-in ballots than Republicans in Pennsylvania, adding a layer of political significance to the court’s upcoming decision.
“The plaintiffs argue that the secretary’s recent instructions and automated email promising voters the right to cure their ballot has caused confusion among voters and imposes curing procedures onto all counties across the state, including those that have chosen not to offer the opportunity to cure a defective ballot,” Democracy Docket reports.
The challenge at hand involves whether county boards have the authority to develop their notify-and-cure procedures independently.
While some counties have enacted these procedures, opponents claim they confuse voters and violate Pennsylvania’s Election Code.
GOP plaintiffs argue for a uniform system statewide.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has previously ruled against counting “undated” and misdated ballots.
However, it faces pressure to rule quickly on this current issue, with less than six weeks until the election.
The plaintiffs demand that the court prohibit county boards from implementing notice-and-cure procedures and rescind the Secretary’s guidance on fixing defective mail-in ballots.
The outcome of this legal challenge will undoubtedly impact mail-in voting in the near-term and set a precedent for future elections.
The pending decision will clarify the extent to which counties can influence the electoral process and ensure voters’ rights are respected without compromising the integrity of the election.
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