Pennsylvania Court Protects Mail-In Votes Despite Envelope Errors

A Pennsylvania state court ruled that Philadelphia and Allegheny Counties cannot discard mail-in votes due to envelope errors. This decision affects nearly 16,000 ballots previously disqualified for the April primary. The ruling emphasizes the importance of counting all eligible votes despite minor paperwork errors, impacting the battleground state's elections.

A state court in Pennsylvania has ruled that Philadelphia and Allegheny Counties cannot discard mail-in votes over minor envelope errors, a decision crucial for the battleground state.

The Commonwealth Court's decision comes after nearly 16,000 ballots were disqualified in April's primary election, with issues including missing signatures and incorrect dates on envelopes.

Judge Ellen Ceisler stated that refusing to count undated or incorrectly dated yet timely mail ballots violates Pennsylvania's free and equal elections clause. The ruling is significant as Pennsylvania remains a contentious state in the upcoming U.S. presidential elections, where Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris will face off against Republican former President Donald Trump.

(With inputs from agencies.)