Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has taken a decisive stance, siding with the state Supreme Court’s ruling to exclude incorrectly dated or undated mail-in ballots amid a heated recount. The decision marks a significant victory for Republican officials challenging the inclusion of such ballots.
The state Supreme Court, in a 4–3 decision on Monday, reaffirmed its earlier ruling that counties must follow the law regarding mail-in and absentee ballots. Targeting election boards in Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties, the court made clear that these counties “SHALL COMPLY with the prior rulings of this Court in which we have clarified” the proper handling of these ballots.
“Any insinuation that our laws can be ignored or do not matter is irresponsible and does damage to faith in our electoral process,” said Shapiro, a Democrat.
“The rule of law matters in Pennsylvania. … It is critical for counties in both parties to respect it with both their rhetoric and their actions.”
Protecting Democracy and Election Integrity
As the governor, Shapiro vowed to prioritize the integrity of Pennsylvania’s election system. “continue working to protect our democracy and the votes of all eligible Pennsylvanians,” he added, signaling his commitment to upholding electoral fairness.
Monday’s decision follows the high court’s initial Nov. 1 ruling, which deemed mail-in ballots lacking required signatures or dates invalid. Despite this, election boards in Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, and Centre counties defied the court’s instructions by voting to include these ballots in the recount.
Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia defended the decision to defy the law, stating, “So, for me, if I violate this law it’s because I want a court to pay attention. There’s nothing more important than counting votes.”
Contentious Recount Sparks Legal Battles
The Supreme Court’s ruling coincides with a wave of lawsuits filed by Republicans amid a fiercely contested Senate recount. GOP candidate David McCormick narrowly defeated three-term Democratic Sen. Bob Casey by approximately 17,000 votes, a margin that qualified the race for an automatic recount under Pennsylvania law.
Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley criticized Gov. Shapiro for his delayed acknowledgment of the court’s authority. “Heartening to see. Once Democrats came to the conclusion that even ignoring the Pennsylvania Supreme Court can’t scrape up enough ballots to win…,” Whatley wrote on X. “Governor Shapiro suddenly discovers that he stands with the rule of law. Better late than never.”
Intensifying Legal Consequences
The debate over counting mail-in ballots has escalated, with Trump campaign official Chris LaCivita warning of severe legal repercussions for non-compliance. “They will go to jail,” LaCivita wrote on X. “Count on it.”
This contentious recount underscores the high stakes of Pennsylvania’s electoral processes, highlighting the legal and political tensions surrounding the 2024 elections.
