Federal appeals court says misdated ballots still valid

 A recent federal court decision has confirmed that mail-in ballots returned to Pennsylvania election offices without dates or with incorrect dates will still be counted as valid. This ruling is significant for voter rights and aims to prevent disenfranchisement.

1. Court Decision:

• The U. S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit ruled unanimously that Pennsylvania's requirement for dated mail-in ballots is unconstitutional.

• The court argued that the date requirement does not contribute meaningfully to the election administration or protect against voter fraud.

2. Background:

• This ruling follows a challenge by two Democratic voters, Bette Eakin and Ines Massella, who aimed to protect about 25,000 ballots from being discarded in the 2022 and 2024 elections due to date issues.

• Eakin's attorney praised the ruling as a victory for voter rights, emphasizing that it protects ballots from being thrown out for minor errors unrelated to voter eligibility.

3. Impact of the Ruling:

• The decision helps ensure more ballots are counted during close elections, especially where candidates have won by narrow margins.

• During the 2024 elections, popularity in Pennsylvania was high, with many mail-in ballots processed.

4. Government Response:

• Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro supported the ruling, stating that rejecting ballots for trivial reasons is unconstitutional.

• The Department of State reported a 57% reduction in ballot rejections due to errors since the previous elections.

The federal court ruling reinforces voters' rights in Pennsylvania by allowing ballots without dates to be counted. This decision addresses concerns over disenfranchisement and supports the integrity of the democratic process, especially in closely contested elections.

https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_881e3b5b-67ee-4e1b-b4f6-b5c251eaae4d.html