The Big Picture
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has reaffirmed its earlier ruling that mail-in ballots with missing or incorrect dates cannot be counted. The decision is seen as a win for Republicans, who pushed for strict adherence to election laws during a contentious Senate recount. Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro has sided with the court, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law.
Court Decision:
Ruling Details: On Monday, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, in a 4-3 decision, reinforced its November 1 judgment that counties must exclude undated or incorrectly dated mail-in and absentee ballots.
Targeted Counties: The ruling specifically directed Bucks County, Montgomery County, and Philadelphia County to comply with the court's prior clarifications on ballot eligibility.
Gov. Shapiro’s Response:
Support for the Court: Gov. Shapiro, a Democrat, stated that Pennsylvania's laws must be respected to maintain public trust in elections.
Call for Compliance: Shapiro urged election officials from both parties to adhere to the legal guidelines.
Commitment to Democracy: He vowed to continue protecting the rights of eligible voters while upholding the integrity of the electoral process.
Democratic Pushback:
Resistance from Election Boards: Despite the court’s ruling, some Democratic-led boards initially included faulty ballots in the recount. Diane Ellis-Marseglia, a Bucks County commissioner, suggested defying the ruling to draw judicial attention to the issue.
Broader Context: These actions were part of a wider effort to contest the GOP-led recount following Republican candidate David McCormick’s narrow Senate victory over incumbent Democrat Bob Casey.
Republican Reaction:
Victory for GOP: Republicans lauded the court's decision, which they argued safeguards election integrity.
Criticism of Shapiro: The Republican National Committee (RNC) accused Shapiro of delayed support for the court’s stance.
Warnings of Legal Action: Trump campaign official Chris LaCivita warned election officials of potential jail time for counting invalid ballots.
The Bottom Line
This ruling underscores Pennsylvania's ongoing debates over election law and mail-in voting. While Gov. Shapiro’s support signals a push for bipartisan adherence to the rule of law, the controversy highlights enduring partisan tensions over ballot counting and voter trust in election outcomes.
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