Coal Region News

Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) expressed his concerns about the recent Commonwealth Court decision regarding mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania. The court decided to allow the counting of undated and incorrectly dated ballots in the case of Baxter v. Philadelphia Board of Elections. Heffley argues that this ruling might compromise the integrity of elections in the state and could lead to misconduct.

“This ruling raises serious questions about our election process and the ability to ensure fair outcomes,” Heffley stated. “We must uphold the standards that protect our democracy. Allowing these undated ballots to be counted only fuels concerns that some individuals are trying to cheat the system.”

The court's decision contradicts a previous Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling from 2023 in Ball v. Chapman, which declared undated mail-in ballots as invalid. Just earlier this month, the Supreme Court had emphasized not altering election laws in the middle of an election period, calling it "common sense."

The ruling, issued shortly after the Supreme Court's comment, has sparked discussions about election integrity in the state. There are provisions within the Pennsylvania Election Code, including a dating requirement, meant to ensure mail-in voting integrity. A nonseverability clause also implies that if any part of this law is deemed invalid, the entire law could be struck down.

Judge Patricia McCullough, in her dissent, criticized the ruling for ignoring the nonseverability clause, saying, “Wrong decisions issued at the wrong time are doubly threatening to the integrity of Pennsylvania’s elections and the public’s confidence in them.” She noted the potential confusion for voters and county boards in interpreting this decision's implications.

Heffley emphasized the need for consistency in election laws to uphold public trust in the voting process. “There is a need for clear and consistent election laws to maintain public confidence in the electoral process,” he remarked. Heffley pledged his continued commitment to ensuring electoral integrity in Pennsylvania.