Were pennsylvania mail in ballots legal
In Pennsylvania, the legality of mail-in ballots has been a topic of controversy and litigation in recent years. Here's a brief summary:
Prior to 2019: Mail-in ballots were not widely used in Pennsylvania, and the state did not have a robust absentee voting system. However, voters could request absentee ballots by mail or in person, and these ballots were typically counted if they were received by the county election office by the close of polls on Election Day.
2019: No-excuse absentee voting law passed: In October 2019, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed a law allowing no-excuse absentee voting, which enabled any registered voter to request an absentee ballot without needing a reason. This law went into effect on January 1, 2020.
2020 General Election: During the 2020 General Election, Pennsylvania saw a surge in mail-in ballot requests, with over 3.2 million ballots cast by mail. However, the election was marred by controversy and litigation surrounding the counting and verification of these ballots.
Post-election litigation: In November 2020, the Trump campaign and other Republican groups filed lawsuits challenging the legality of Pennsylvania's mail-in ballot system. They argued that the state's law allowing no-excuse absentee voting was unconstitutional and that the counting of mail-in ballots was flawed.
Court decisions: In December 2020, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court rejected the Trump campaign's lawsuit, upholding the state's mail-in ballot system. The court ruled that the law allowing no-excuse absentee voting was constitutional and that the counting of mail-in ballots was properly conducted.
Federal court decisions: In January 2021, a federal judge in Pennsylvania also rejected a lawsuit challenging the state's mail-in ballot system. The judge ruled that the plaintiffs lacked standing to bring the lawsuit and that the state's system was in compliance with federal law.
Current status: As of 2022, Pennsylvania's mail-in ballot system remains in place, and voters can request absentee ballots by mail or online. The state has implemented various measures to improve the security and integrity of its absentee voting system, including the use of barcodes and digital signatures.
In summary, while there were controversies and litigation surrounding Pennsylvania's mail-in ballot system in 2020, the courts have consistently upheld the legality of the system, and it remains in place today.