Pennsylvania Supreme Court Ruling: Mail-In Ballots Must Meet Date Requirements for 2024 Election

PENNSYLVANIA (VINnews)-In a major decision expected to impact the upcoming 2024 election, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that undated and misdated mail-in ballots will not be counted. This decision is viewed as a significant win for Republicans, as it reinforces stricter requirements for mail-in voting—a method widely used by Democrats in previous elections.

The ruling overturns a previous decision by the Commonwealth Court, with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court stating that the lower court “lacked subject matter jurisdiction to review the matter.” The decision was tied to the failure to name all 67 county boards of elections in the legal challenge, effectively voiding the earlier ruling.

Republicans have hailed the decision as a victory for election integrity. RNC Chairman Michael Whatley commented, “This is a huge win to protect the vote in Pennsylvania that will protect commonsense mail ballot safeguards and help voters cast their ballots with confidence. The Keystone State will be absolutely critical in this election, and the Supreme Court has decided a major victory for election integrity.”

The ruling is expected to have significant ramifications, with thousands of potential votes being impacted by this decision. Mail-in ballots became a focal point of controversy in Pennsylvania following the 2020 election, where disputes over ballot counting procedures and deadlines were central to legal challenges by Republicans.

With Pennsylvania being a key battleground state in the 2024 election, this ruling could play a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of the race. Both parties are expected to closely monitor voter turnout and the handling of mail-in ballots in the state, which remains a critical factor in determining the next president.