HARRISBURG, PA — The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania applauds today’s landmark decision by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court in favor of the League of Women Voters of PA, and other nonpartisan community organizations, which will put an end to the disqualification of mail-in ballots for inconsequential date errors on the declaration envelope. This ruling is a victory for voters across the state, ensuring that mail-in ballots won’t be tossed out due to minor errors on the external envelopes.

“Every eligible voter should be able to vote, and we absolutely should not be looking for reasons to toss out people’s votes.  We know when ballots are mailed out, we know when they are received by the County, having an extra requirement that doesn’t contribute anything to the validity of the vote risks disenfranchising people for no reason at all.  We welcome this decision,” said Susan Grobreski, president of the League of Women Voters of PA.

“Today’s decision is an important win for Pennsylvania voters and the fundamental right to be heard at the ballot box,” said Amy Widestrom, executive director of the League of Women Voters of PA. “No one’s vote should be thrown out over a minor error. This ruling affirms that every eligible voter’s voice matters and ensures our elections are more fair, free, and accessible. The League will continue to fight against any barriers that threaten to silence voters and weaken our democracy.

”Represented by the ACLU of Pennsylvania, American Civil Liberties Union, Public Interest Law Center, and the law firm Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP, these groups argued that disqualifying ballots for mistakes not material to the act of voting undermines the fundamental right to vote in free and equal elections—a right protected by the Pennsylvania Constitution and advocated for by the League of Women of PA.

The ruling is online here.

American Civil Liberties Union: Voting Rights Groups Respond to Pennsylvania Court Decision on Handwritten Date Requirements for Mail Ballots