PA Supreme Court Sides with RNC, Rules Undated Mail-In Ballots Cannot Be Counted

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled on Monday that mail-in ballots without a correct handwritten date on the return envelope should not be counted, siding with the Republican National Committee (RNC) in the ongoing U.S. Senate election between Democratic Sen. Bob Casey and Republican David McCormick.

Last week, the RNC filed two lawsuits to halt the counting of “illegal” ballots. Prior to the election, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court decreed that mail-in ballots lacking proper dates or signatures would be excluded from the official results.

The ruling marks a victory for McCormick and a setback for Casey as both campaigns gear up for a statewide recount and lobby counties for advantageous ballot-counting rulings.

RNC Chairman Michael Whatley announced on X on Monday, “Following our latest RNC lawsuit, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has once again ruled that undated ballots CANNOT BE COUNTED. No more excuses. Election officials in Bucks, Montgomery, Philadelphia, and other counties must reject illegal ballots. We will hold them accountable.”

The ruling addresses the decision by election boards with Democratic majorities in Montgomery County, Philadelphia, and Bucks County to count ballots lacking correct dates.

During a county commission meeting last Thursday, Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia (D) stated her intention to disregard the commonwealth’s Supreme Court’s earlier ruling. “I think we all know that precedent by a court doesn’t matter anymore in this country,” said Ellis-Marseglia.

“People violate laws anytime they want. So, for me, if I violate this law, it’s because I want a court to pay attention. There’s nothing more important than counting votes,” Ellis-Marseglia stated, without making a distinction between legal and illegal votes.

Last Wednesday, Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt (R) announced a recount for the Senate race, as the results fell within the 0.5% margin that automatically initiates a recount.

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