Washington County abiding by the law on mail-in ballots
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Last week, the Washington County Board of Elections decided to prohibit any alterations to mail-in ballots once they have been submitted to the county. I have read that some voters are worried about being unable to correct or change their ballot in case they forget to sign or date it.
On March 27, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia released a verdict stating that mail-in ballots with incorrect dates or no dates on their envelopes will not be counted in Pennsylvania. On appeal, the majority of the 3rd Circuit panel ruled that the Civil Rights Act’s materiality provision does not override Pennsylvania law that “undated or misdated ballots are invalid.”
If Pennsylvania law clearly states that these ballots are invalid and a federal court upheld it, then what exactly is the controversy? Those who disagree with the law can call state legislators and urge them to change it. Until a law is changed, we must abide by the law that has been enacted, whether you agree with it or not.
The Washington County Board of Elections had no other option but to follow the Pennsylvania law and the federal court’s decision.
Krystal Soukup
Canonsburg