Pennsylvania Supreme Court Dismisses GOP Lawsuit Over Mail-In Ballot Curing
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Republican National Committee (RNC) that sought to block the state’s practice of “curing” mail-in ballots. This ruling allows election officials to notify voters of any errors on their mail-in ballots and give them the opportunity to correct those mistakes—a decision that could impact the upcoming presidential election in this crucial battleground state.
Mail-in voting has become a major flashpoint in recent election cycles, with Democrats relying heavily on this method in 2020 to secure votes for Joe Biden. On Election Day 2020, Donald Trump led Biden by over 750,000 votes in Pennsylvania by midnight, but mail-in ballots from Democratic strongholds such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh were counted over the next several days. By the end of the process, Biden had overtaken Trump and won the state by roughly 80,000 votes.
The RNC and other Republicans have long argued that this shift in the count was the result of widespread manipulation of mail-in ballots. GOP concerns have centered on the lack of transparency during the extended counting period, particularly the alleged exclusion of Republican poll watchers from monitoring the mail-in ballot process in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. These concerns led to multiple lawsuits, one of which aimed to block Pennsylvania’s practice of allowing voters to “cure” mistakes on their mail-in ballots.
Mail-in ballot curing refers to the process by which election officials notify voters of errors on their ballots—such as missing signatures or incorrect dates—giving them a chance to fix those mistakes before the ballots are officially counted. This practice can be especially important for voters who submit their ballots early, ensuring that technical errors don’t invalidate their votes.
Supporters of ballot curing argue that it ensures more people can have their voices heard, especially in elections where mail-in voting is prevalent. Opponents, particularly Republicans, argue that it opens the door to manipulation, as election workers could potentially alert only certain voters to correct their mistakes, thus tilting the results.
In the run-up to the 2024 election, the RNC filed a lawsuit to prevent Pennsylvania from allowing ballot curing. The GOP argued that the practice violates state election laws and undermines the integrity of the election process. They also raised concerns about the potential for selective notification of voters based on partisan affiliations, given that mail-in voting tends to favor Democrats.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court, however, dismissed the lawsuit on procedural grounds, ruling that the case had been filed too close to the upcoming November 5th election. The court’s decision allows election officials to continue notifying voters of errors in their mail-in ballots and permitting them to make corrections.
Reuters reported that the court’s decision represents a significant setback for Republicans, who see Pennsylvania as a critical state in determining the outcome of the 2024 presidential race. The GOP is particularly wary of mail-in voting, given its importance in flipping Pennsylvania blue in 2020.
This is not the only legal battle that Republicans have fought over mail-in voting in Pennsylvania. In fact, the state’s rules around the practice have been a source of contention for years. Last month, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that ballots with undated or improperly dated envelopes would not be counted. This ruling reversed a previous lower court decision that had deemed it unconstitutional to reject such ballots.
The undated ballot issue became significant in the aftermath of the 2020 election, when thousands of ballots were questioned due to missing or incorrect dates. The Republican Party argued that allowing these flawed ballots to be counted violated election laws, while Democrats insisted that voters should not be disenfranchised over minor technical errors.
The RNC and the Pennsylvania Republican Party had appealed the lower court’s ruling, and the state Supreme Court’s decision in their favor last month was seen as a victory for the GOP. But with the new ruling on ballot curing, Republicans now face an uphill battle to prevent Democrats from using mail-in ballots to secure votes.
Pennsylvania’s status as a swing state makes the issue of mail-in voting particularly significant. The ability for voters to correct mistakes on their mail-in ballots could help both parties mobilize their bases, but it is especially crucial for Democrats, who have historically relied more on mail-in voting.
In 2020, mail-in ballots were a decisive factor in Biden’s victory in Pennsylvania, with a large number of Democrats opting to vote by mail due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, Republicans have become increasingly skeptical of mail-in voting and have made efforts to limit or challenge its use in the courts.
The court’s decision to allow ballot curing is expected to bolster Democrats’ efforts to maximize mail-in voting in 2024. Meanwhile, Republicans continue to argue that the practice introduces the potential for voter fraud and undermines confidence in the electoral process.
With Pennsylvania playing a pivotal role in the 2024 presidential election, this ruling could have far-reaching consequences. The state’s decision to permit mail-in ballot curing could lead to a high number of corrected ballots being counted after Election Day, much like what happened in 2020. And while this practice may help ensure that voters’ voices are heard, it also leaves the door open for further legal battles over election integrity.
As the election approaches, both parties will be watching Pennsylvania closely, knowing that every ballot—whether cast in person or by mail—could determine the outcome of the race for the White House.