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Pennsylvania was a highly contested state during the 2020 Presidential elections. Lawsuits were filed to address numerous irregularities within the Democrat-controlled state. As the mid-term elections are nearing, both sides are gearing up for another election fight.
The GOP in the Keystone state has filed a lawsuit against Secretary of State Leigh Chapman. They are suing because of the 2019 law expanding mail-in voting, arguing it is invalid after a recent court ruling. It is just the latest legal brawl in a battleground state.
Republicans in the state are arguing the mail-in process is full of errors. The errors may have been intentional or accidental. Either way, it is a problem. During 2020 ballots were counted that had incorrect dates, no dates, no signatures, no witnesses, and a bunch of other problems.
Former President Trump has been adamant the state was a disaster during the election and claims there was a lot of voter fraud. The Republicans are arguing the clause within the mail-voting law that states “if any provision of the law is ruled to be “void” the entire law must be struck down”.
According to justthenews.com, “In May, a federal appeals court ruled that election officials had to count updated mail-in ballots, which, the GOP lawmakers argue, contradicts the 2019 law that requires voters to fill out, date and sign the declaration printed on such envelope”.
The court wrote an undated mail-in ballot must be counted. Republicans believe the law, which states voters need to “date” the ballot, is now null and void and it should be struck down. It would effectively eliminate mail-in voting for the upcoming mid-term elections. There would be time to vote on a new one.
Fox News reported Governor Tom Wolfe’s office said, “Federal appeals court decision did not trigger the non-severability provision. That’s because the lawsuit had targeted Lehigh County’s decision to not count the ballots, not the validity of the date requirement”.
The recent primaries in Pennsylvania were full of mail-in voting issues. PBS.org reported thousands of Pennsylvania ballots were unreadable and would not scan correctly. It caused a hand-by-hand count of all the ballots in high-population areas. It delayed the official reporting of results for days.
“Citizens deserve to have accurate results from elections and they deserve to have them on election night, not days later,” Josh Parsons, a Republican and vice chair of the county board of commissioners, said.
Election fights are underway in various places around the country.
The 2020 elections had numerous discrepancies occur that questioned the validity of the American Democratic system. These issues led to the events in Washington D.C. on January 6th and the subsequent hearings.
As we approach the mid-term elections, there are already issues regarding mail-in ballots in locations throughout the country. Pinal County in Arizona has reported that 63,000 mail-in had numerous errors.
Pennsylvania will be a close race in November. Governor Tom Wolfe is reaching the end of his term. Democrat candidate Josh Shapiro is currently ahead in the polls. However, it is closer than expected over Republican nominee Doug Mastriano.
Voter integrity will be a major issue as the election draws near but it may not be the deciding factor. The concern on voter minds that may decide the Governors race in Pennsylvania will be the anchor that President Biden has become since his popularity is hovering just above taking out the trash.
