A coalition of voting rights advocates in Pennsylvania is once again seeking a definitive ruling from the state Supreme Court on whether voters must date their mail ballot return envelopes for their vote to be counted. The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania and the Public Interest Law Center have urged the court to address the issue directly, arguing that the dating requirement violates the state constitution.
Thousands of ballots were rejected in the April primary for lacking a proper date or signature, prompting concerns about potential disenfranchisement in the upcoming November election. The court’s decision could have a significant impact on voters, as the deadline for ballot applications approaches.
The dating requirement has been the subject of ongoing litigation since the implementation of Act 77 in 2020, with conflicting rulings from federal and state judges. The recent decision by the state Supreme Court voided a lower court ruling that found the requirement unconstitutional, leading to further calls for the high court to intervene.
Both voting rights advocates and Republicans have requested that the court address related mail ballot policies, underscoring the importance of resolving these issues before the upcoming election. The court has not yet announced whether it will hear these cases, but the outcome could have significant implications for voters in Pennsylvania.
Source
Photo credit www.spotlightpa.org
