Pennsylvania Supreme Court strikes down lower court's ruling on undated mail ballots in narrow 4-3 decision

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court handed down a 4-3 decision that has significant implications for how mail-in ballots are handled in the state.

The court’s decision to overturn a prior ruling by the Commonwealth Court means that undated mail ballots will not be counted in future elections, a decision that could influence both voter turnout and election outcomes.

The controversy centered around whether ballots received without a date should be considered valid.

The Commonwealth Court had previously ruled in favor of counting these ballots, arguing that enforcing a date requirement infringed upon the constitutional rights of voters. However, the Supreme Court disagreed with this interpretation, emphasizing procedural compliance over constitutional concerns.

In the majority opinion, the justices focused on the procedural missteps of the lower court. They pointed out that the Commonwealth Court overstepped its jurisdiction by reviewing the case without including all 67 county boards of elections as parties to the lawsuit. Including only Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt was deemed insufficient for the case to proceed.

This procedural error led the Supreme Court to conclude that the Commonwealth Court’s decision could not stand.

The ruling has sparked a range of reactions. Proponents of the decision argue that it reinforces the integrity of the voting process by ensuring that all ballots comply with established rules. Critics, however, contend that the decision could disenfranchise voters who inadvertently omit the date on their mail-in ballots.

In a statement reflecting these concerns, Justice Debra Todd, who was among the dissenting voices, remarked, “The requirement to date a ballot is a technicality that should not outweigh a voter’s fundamental right to have their vote counted.”

The court’s decision is likely to reignite debates over voting access and election integrity in Pennsylvania, a state that often plays a crucial role in national elections.