Staff Reports
In a recent legal battle over the validity of undated mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania, a three-judge panel in a U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against counting these ballots, stating that the state’s requirement for voters to date the declaration on the return envelope of their mail-in ballot is mandatory. This decision could have a significant impact on future elections, as the Republican National Committee (RNC) plans to take the case to the Supreme Court to ensure election integrity.
Pennsylvania tells voters they have to date their ballots for votes to count https://t.co/qRFbZcoWK7 https://t.co/qRFbZcoWK7
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) March 28, 2024
The RNC, led by Chairman Michael Whatley, hailed the ruling as a “crucial victory for election integrity and voter confidence,” emphasizing the importance of upholding election laws to protect the sanctity of the voting process. With the 2024 election on the horizon, Republicans are determined to continue their fight for fair and secure elections in the face of legal challenges.
Democrats in Pennsylvania have been more inclined to use mail-in ballots, particularly after the expansion of absentee ballots to include mail-in options in 2019. This partisan divide in voting methods underscores the contentious nature of the legal dispute surrounding undated ballots, with both parties vying for a favorable outcome that aligns with their respective interests.
On the opposing side, Ari Savitzky, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union representing the Pennsylvania State Conference of the NAACP, expressed disappointment in the court’s decision, citing the potential disenfranchisement of eligible voters who met the submission deadline. Savitzky argued that the court failed to uphold the principles enshrined in the Civil Rights Act, which seeks to prevent states from imposing unnecessary barriers to voting.
The issue of undated mail-in ballots has also had practical implications, as Pennsylvania rejected over 10,000 ballots in the 2022 midterm election due to the absence of a date. In response, the state has taken steps to clarify the date requirement on mail-in envelopes, aiming to prevent similar ballot rejections in future elections.
As the legal battle over undated mail-in ballots unfolds, both political parties and advocacy groups are closely monitoring the developments, cognizant of the broader implications for voting rights and election procedures. With the RNC committed to pursuing the case at the highest judicial level, the outcome of this dispute could shape the landscape of future elections in Pennsylvania and beyond.
