Pennsylvania Supreme Court Ruling Influences Election Integrity Debate

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Pennsylvania’s highest court reinforces election integrity, rejecting Senator Bob Casey’s bid to count invalid mail-in ballots in a tight race against Republican Dave McCormick.

At a Glance

Pennsylvania Supreme Court rules 4-3 against counting incorrectly dated or undated mail-in ballots
Republican Dave McCormick narrowly leads Democrat Bob Casey by about 17,000 votes
The ruling affects Bucks County, Montgomery County, and Philadelphia County
Automatic recount triggered due to margin within 0.5% under Pennsylvania law

Court Upholds Election Integrity

In a decisive move, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled against counting mail-in ballots with incorrect or missing dates in the 2024 election. This 4-3 decision reaffirms the court’s commitment to upholding electoral laws, despite its Democratic majority. The ruling specifically addresses Boards of Elections in Bucks County, Montgomery County, and Philadelphia County, areas where the handling of such ballots had become contentious.

The court’s decision comes as a significant blow to Senator Bob Casey’s campaign, which sought to include these disputed ballots in the vote tally. Republican candidate David McCormick currently leads Casey by approximately 17,000 votes, a margin narrow enough to trigger an automatic recount under Pennsylvania law.

Republican Victory and Democratic Response

This ruling marks a victory for Republican Party officials, who filed 12 lawsuits amid the Senate recount effort. The decision supports the GOP’s position that requiring handwritten dates on mail-in ballots is constitutional and critical for ballot security.

“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.”

In response to the ruling, Democratic Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro emphasized the importance of adhering to the court’s decision and applicable laws. He criticized the lack of clarity surrounding undated ballots, which has led to confusion among county officials.

Ongoing Legal Disputes

The battle over ballot validity continues as both campaigns have filed fresh litigation contesting county decisions on provisional ballots. Casey’s campaign argues against rejecting provisional ballots for minor errors, while Republicans insist on strict adherence to the law.

“The court has now ruled on the counting of these ballots specific to the November 5, 2024 election and I expect all county election officials to adhere to this ruling and all the applicable laws governing our elections. 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. The rule of law matters in this Commonwealth, and as I have always said, it is critical for counties and officials in both parties to respect it with both their rhetoric and their actions.” remarked Gov. Josh Shapiro.

The controversy extends to Bucks County, where the Board of Elections faced criticism for its handling of ballots with missing signatures. The Republican National Committee has announced plans for legal action against Bucks County commissioners for allegedly defying the law.

Implications and Next Steps

As the recount process begins, costing taxpayers at least $1 million, Casey has not yet conceded the race, now trailing by approximately 31,000 votes. The Washington Post editorial board has urged Casey to drop out and waive his right to a recount, highlighting the growing pressure on the Democratic incumbent.

This ruling by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court serves as a reminder of the judiciary’s crucial role in maintaining electoral integrity. By upholding the requirement for properly dated mail-in ballots, the court has reinforced the importance of following established electoral procedures, even in closely contested races.