Mail-in ballots become center of heated political, legal battle in Pennsylvania

With three weeks until election day, mail-in ballots have become the center of a heated political and legal battle. Republicans and democrats are at odds over the box where you write in the date and whether or not ballots without a date should be counted.

“Unfortunately, that’s what seems to happen now after elections,” Melanie Ostrander, the Director of Elections in Washington County tells Channel 11.

Ostrander says election lawsuits are the new normal. The state and national republican parties are suing in Pennsylvania, trying to block mail-in ballots without a date from being counted. This issue has gone to the U.S. Supreme Court and now the state Supreme Court, but no official ruling has been made. A ruling likely won’t be made before election day, leaving a lot of uncertainty.

“We’re leaving any ballots we received undated, we’re segregating them because we know there are going to be potential lawsuits after the election,” Ostrander adds.

There’s a lot at stake for both parties and whether to count undated ballots or not could change the outcome of tight races. As of Monday in Allegheny county, democrats had nearly six times as many applications approved for mail-in ballots and democrats have already returned more than six and a half times the number of mail-in ballots as republicans.

Ostrander says legal loopholes with mail-in ballots like dating a ballot or not will only continue until the state legislature gets involved and acts.

“They just need to look at the legislation and tighten up the laws,” Ostrander adds. “It’ll help us as election directors and counties out, a lot.”

If you haven’t registered to vote it’s not too late. You have until Monday Oct. 24. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is Nov. 1 and mail-in ballots must be returned to the county election’s office by 8 p.m. on election day.

Ostrander is reminding voters fill out mail-in ballots with a blue or black ballpoint pen only. Do not cross off or check the box, rather fill in the entire oval next to the candidate you’re voting for. She says you must put the secrecy envelope in the declaration envelope, and you must sign and date the declaration envelope to ensure your ballot is counted despite any legal challenge that may arise.

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