Pennsylvania Supreme Court Orders Counties Not to Count Undated Ballots

The Epoch Times Header

Multiple counties had decided to count the ballots despite a previous state supreme court ruling on the issue.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ordered counties within the state not to count undated mail-in ballots after multiple counties said they would.

The order came on Nov. 18 as the commonwealth began a recount process in the race for U.S. Senate. Both Decision Desk HQ and The Associated Press called the race for Republican Dave McCormick, who ran against long-term incumbent Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.). However, because McCormickโ€™s lead fell within a 0.5 percent margin, state law required a recount.

The decision directed all 67 counties within the state to comply โ€œwith the prior rulings of this Court in which we have clarified that mail-in and absentee ballots that fail to comply with the requirements of the Pennsylvania Election Code … shall not be counted for purposes of the election held on November 5, 2024.โ€

โ€œThis order shall be deemed authoritative and controlling in all such matters and as to all county election board members,โ€ the court stated.

The courtโ€™s order singled out three county boards of electionsโ€”Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphiaโ€”that had decided to count the undated ballots.

The Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Pennsylvania Republican Party had recently filed lawsuits against county officials who counted such ballots.

A similar dispute arose just before voters headed to the ballot box on Nov. 5. A state appeals court had ruled that not counting undated ballots in a special election violated the stateโ€™s constitution. The state supreme court responded on Nov. 1 with an order that halted the appeals court decision while clarifying that the appeals decision didnโ€™t apply to the general election on Nov. 5.

โ€œThis stay is entered without prejudice to the filing and due consideration on the merits of any petition for allowance of appeal that the parties may file or the disposition of an appeal should this Court grant such petition,โ€ the order read.

Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija, a Democrat, has defended counting the undated ballots while noting McCormickโ€™s previous support for the practice in 2022.

Byย Sam Dorman

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Columns

Baseballโ€™s thorny roseย 

Ban of Pete Rose made sense when professional sportsโ€™ leagues were not in bed with gambling.โ€ฏReinstating him now to benefit the MLB is hypocritical.

Top 9 Supreme Court Decisions to Watch for in June

The Supreme Court is heading into its summer recess, which means the justices will be issuing a series of hotly-anticipated decisions throughout June.

Pesky 9/11 Conspiracies Remain Without Explanation!

Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson (R) recently appeared in an...

Targeting Military Installations, IP Theft: A Look at Criminal Cases Involving Chinese Students

Trump adminโ€™s pledge to โ€œaggressivelyโ€ revoke visas of Chinese students was made after years of concern over CCP efforts to infiltrate U.S. academia.

Alleged CCP Influence Operations Involve Paid Protesters in New York

Tactics used by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to influence public perception in the United States appear to be evolving.

News

DOE Cancels $3.7 Billion in Biden-Era Green Energy Awards

DOE canceled clean energy projects worth $3.7 billion, citing concerns over financial viability, insufficient return on investment, and failure to meet energy needs of Americans.

Health Department Cancels More Than $700 Million in Funding for Modernaโ€™s Bird Flu Vaccine

HHS has canceled funding for Modernaโ€™s vaccine against avian influenza, also known as the bird flu, the department confirmed on May 29.

FDA Approves Modernaโ€™s New COVID-19 Vaccine

FDA licensed Modernaโ€™s new COVID-19 vaccine for adults aged 65+ and people aged 12 to 64 who have condition putting them at risk for severe COVID-19.

Bernard Kerik, NYPD Commissioner During 9/11 Attacks, Dies at 69

Bernard Kerik, a former New York City police commissioner who was hailed as a hero after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, has died at 69, according NYPD.

New COVID Variant NB.1.8.1 Starting to Spread Worldwide: What We Know

WHO has said that the COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1 is causing more infections worldwide, as Chinaโ€™s health agency said itโ€™s the dominant variant.

If US, Europe Donโ€™t Move on Greenlandโ€™s Minerals, the Island Could Partner With China: Minister

Greenlandic official raised stakes in the contest for its minerals, suggesting the Danish territory could turn to China if US and Europe do not move faster.

Western Pennsylvania Communities Welcome New Steel Partnership, Trumpโ€™s Arrival at Rally

Steel workers and Pittsburgh community are looking forward to Trumpโ€™s rally at U.S. Steel Corpโ€™s Irvin Works, grateful for efforts to bolster local industries.

Barron Trump Didnโ€™t Apply to Harvard, White House Says

First Lady Melania Trump rejected speculation that Barron Trump was denied admission into Harvard, saying he didnโ€™t apply to the Ivy League school.
spot_img

Related Articles