On Sunday, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Republican National Committee (RNC) that sought to block the practice of “mail-in ballot curing.” This decision clears the way for election officials in the state to notify voters of mistakes in their mail-in ballots and allow them to correct those errors. This ruling is seen as a significant development ahead of the 2024 presidential election, in which Pennsylvania is expected to play a crucial role.
The court’s decision is a setback for Republicans, who have been critical of mail-in voting practices, especially since the 2020 election. In that election, Democrats relied heavily on mail-in ballots to secure President Joe Biden’s victory, particularly in key battleground states like Pennsylvania.
Mail-in ballots were at the center of controversy during the 2020 election, with Republicans alleging that the process was rife with irregularities. On Election Day in 2020, former President Donald Trump was leading Biden in Pennsylvania by over 750,000 votes. However, in the days that followed, as mail-in ballots were counted, Biden overtook Trump’s lead, ultimately winning the state by approximately 80,000 votes.
The situation led to widespread claims of fraud and misconduct by Trump and his supporters, particularly in cities like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Republicans argued that mail-in ballots were being counted without proper oversight and that GOP monitors were barred from observing the process. These accusations led to numerous lawsuits, though none were successful in overturning the results.
Republicans have since been wary of mail-in voting and have sought to tighten regulations around its use. The lawsuit dismissed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is part of that broader effort to limit the influence of mail-in ballots in future elections.
The lawsuit brought by the RNC aimed to block the practice of “notice and cure,” a procedure in which election officials notify voters of errors on their mail-in ballots, allowing them to correct the mistakes so their votes can still be counted. Republicans argue that this practice gives Democrats an unfair advantage, as Democratic voters are more likely to vote by mail and could benefit disproportionately from such notifications.
However, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that the RNC had filed the lawsuit too close to the November 5 election, which will see former President Donald Trump facing off against Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race. By declining to hear the case, the court effectively allowed the practice of ballot curing to continue for the upcoming election.
This decision is seen as a victory for Democrats, who have consistently supported expanding access to mail-in voting. With Pennsylvania being a key swing state, any change to mail-in voting practices could have a significant impact on the election outcome.
The issue of mail-in voting has been a contentious one in Pennsylvania since 2020. In a related case last month, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that undated or improperly dated mail-in ballots would not be counted. This decision followed a lower court ruling that found it unconstitutional to reject improperly dated mail-in ballots, prompting Republicans to take legal action.
The RNC and the Pennsylvania Republican Party appealed the lower court’s ruling, and the state’s Supreme Court ultimately sided with them. This victory for Republicans was seen as a significant step toward tightening mail-in ballot regulations. However, Sunday’s ruling on ballot curing has now handed Democrats a win, setting the stage for further legal battles over election rules as the 2024 election approaches.
With Pennsylvania being a pivotal battleground state, both parties are keenly aware of how election rules can shape the outcome. In 2020, Pennsylvania’s 20 electoral votes helped secure Joe Biden’s path to the White House, and the state is expected to be just as crucial in 2024.
The practice of ballot curing is likely to become a central issue in the election, with Republicans continuing to argue that it disproportionately benefits Democrats. Democrats, on the other hand, see ballot curing as a necessary safeguard to ensure that voters are not disenfranchised by minor errors on their ballots.
Both parties are bracing for another contentious election cycle in Pennsylvania, with the state’s mail-in voting procedures likely to come under even greater scrutiny. The ruling on Sunday ensures that, at least for now, election officials can continue to notify voters of errors and give them a chance to fix their ballots—a practice that could prove decisive in a close election.
As the 2024 election draws nearer, Pennsylvania remains a focal point for both Republicans and Democrats, with each side seeking to shape the rules of the game in their favor. The outcome of these legal battles could have far-reaching consequences, not just for Pennsylvania, but for the entire nation.
With the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s latest ruling, the stage is set for what could be one of the most fiercely contested elections in modern U.S. history.
Mules and Fraud must remain.Unfortunately the people have no say,Only politicized courts rule