The Democrats’ push for universal mail-in ballot voting has suffered a blow in Pennsylvania after a court ruled that the method is “unconstitutional.”
The court has rejected changes to the state’s voting laws, determining that officials we in violation of the state’s constitution when they altered the law for the 2020 election.
The judge stated that voters must amend the state constitution before such legislation is legal.
However, the state immediately appealed the ruling to the state Supreme Court, meaning the law will remain in effect during the appeal process.
NBC News reports:
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is composed of five Democrats and two Republicans.
In her ruling earlier Friday, Commonwealth Court Judge Mary Hannah Leavitt, a Republican, wrote: “No-excuse mail-in voting makes the exercise of the franchise more convenient and has been used four times in the history of Pennsylvania. If presented to the people, a constitutional amendment to end the Article VII, Section 1 requirement of in-person voting is likely to be adopted.
But a constitutional amendment must be presented to the people and adopted into our fundamental law before legislation authorizing no-excuse mail-in voting can ‘be placed upon our statute books’.”
A spokesperson for the Secretary of State’s office, Wanda Murren, said mail voting would continue until the state Supreme Court rules on the appeal.
Murren said the department’s message for Pennsylvania voters was “go ahead and request your mail-in ballot for the May primary election.”
Senator Josh Hawley celebrated the ruling on Twitter.
Turns out the Pennsylvania mail-in balloting law from 2020 was unconstitutional, according to a statewide court today – as I said when I objected to certifying PA’s electoral votes https://t.co/PZssJUip0y
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) January 28, 2022
Other conservatives also cheered the decision.
BREAKING: A Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court strikes down an expansive mail-in voting law, declaring it unconstitutional.
The law shouldn’t have been allowed at all because it violates the Pennsylvania constitution.
Obey the state constitution.
— Jenny Beth Martin (@jennybethm) January 29, 2022
Today’s Pennsylvania court decision serves to further confirm PA’s use of no-excuse mail-in voting used in 2020 was unconstitutional and members of Congress had valid reasons to raise questions about certifying PA’s electors for Biden. https://t.co/PdKrMD1z56
— Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) January 29, 2022
2020 Election Integrity: PA – Oops
Seems state legislatures actually have to vote for and pass this kinda change in election laws stuff.
Court ruling puts mail-in voting on hold in Pennsylvania https://t.co/8wWss9Bcen via @fox43
— Rasmussen Reports (@Rasmussen_Poll) January 28, 2022
