For Immediate Release: Friday, August 30, 2024
Contact: Genevieve Greene, ggreene@seventy.org, 617-785-6991
Philadelphia, PA – President and CEO of the Committee of Seventy, Lauren Cristella, released the following statement regarding today’s Commonwealth Court ruling on mail-in ballot envelope dating:
“Every voter should feel confident casting their ballot by mail, knowing that minor mistakes will not keep them from making their voice heard. We have always maintained that the requirement to date the mail-in ballot envelope is unnecessary and we are glad to see today’s Commonwealth Court decision confirm that long-standing belief.
Pennsylvania Law requires ballots to be in the hands of counties by 8:00pm on Election Day. Counties have always been able to determine if a ballot is received on time regardless of an incorrect or missing date on the return envelope, meaning the dating requirement is, and always has been, immaterial.
While we anticipate further appeals and will continue following this issue closely, this is an important milestone in safeguarding the rights of Pennsylvania voters. Ensuring that no one is disenfranchised due to a simple mistake is vital to maintaining a fair and accessible voting process.”