(ProsperNews.net) – The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled that mail-in ballots without a handwritten date will not be counted in the 2024 election, shutting down a recent Commonwealth Court decision that found the handwritten date requirement unconstitutional. This ruling, a win for Pennsylvania Republicans, reinforces the state law requiring dated mail-in ballots to ensure election integrity.
Justice Kevin Dougherty, in a strongly worded opinion, criticized the Commonwealth Court for attempting to change election procedures so close to an election. “This Court will neither impose nor countenance substantial alterations to existing laws and procedures during the pendency of an ongoing election,” Dougherty wrote, referencing a recent statement from the court. He emphasized that Friday’s order “rights the ship” and reaffirmed the importance of upholding election laws as they stand.
Pennsylvania Republicans praised the decision, asserting that Democrats have persistently tried to bypass the dating requirement. RNC Chairman Michael Whatley stated, “The Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld the law, and the dated ballot requirement will be in effect for this election. Democrats have repeatedly tried to eliminate this important ballot safeguard, and we have stopped them each time.” Whatley pledged continued efforts to defend ballot security across Pennsylvania.
Advocates for counting undated mail-in ballots argue that this change would streamline the election process for county workers. In a brief filed with the court, the Pennsylvania Department of State expressed that the dating requirement adds significant work for election officials, as each ballot envelope must be reviewed manually to verify a correct date. According to the Pennsylvania Capital-Star, the Department of State noted that requiring dates complicates counting and introduces delays.
However, the state supreme court’s decision marks the second time this month that it has struck down attempts to eliminate the dating requirement. This ruling reinforces that, in Pennsylvania, mail-in ballots must have a handwritten date to be counted, effectively signaling to lower courts that election laws cannot be altered close to an election.
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