·
3 views
·
2 mins read
Editor Marshall Strickland
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania. The elected commissioners of a western Pennsylvania county were sued Monday over a policy adopted for this year’s primary in which people whose mail-in ballots were disqualified for technical violations say they were purposefully not informed in time. to correct errors.
Seven disqualified primary voters, the local NAACP branch and the Center for Coalfield Justice sued the Washington County election board for what they called “systematic and deliberate efforts” to hide the policy by directing election office staff not to tell voters who called that they had made mistakes that prevented their votes from being counted.
The lawsuit filed in county Common Pleas Court said the policy resulted in the disenfranchisem*nt of 259 voters and many of those voters still don’t realize it. The seven voters suing, ages 45 to 85, had their mail-in ballots invalidated due to incomplete or missing dates, the lawsuit said. One also did not sign the outer envelope and another signed in the wrong place.
“Because of the board’s actions, voters had no way of knowing that their vote would not be counted and were deprived of the opportunity to protect their right to vote by taking advantage of an existing legal process: provisional ballot voting,” the lawsuit says. claimed.
The lawsuit seeks to have Washington County’s current policy declared unconstitutional as a violation of due process rights and to prevent the election commission from withholding information from voters and misleading them. The request was filed by lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, the Public Interest Law Center and the Philadelphia-based law firm Dechert.
Washington County notified voters that their ballots were filled out incorrectly and gave those voters a chance to correct them by this year’s April 23 primary. In this year’s primary, Washington commissioners voted 2-1 not to allow voters to remedy improper votes and had officials mark them in state election software as “received,” a statute that does not inform voters that their votes will not be counted. The two Republican commissioners were in favor, the Democrat was opposed.
The lawsuit says no other county in Pennsylvania “actively conceals the insufficiency of a voter’s mail-in ballot, especially when a voter calls the county elections office to ask whether their mail-in ballot meets the requirements and will be counted.”
Messages seeking comment were left Monday for Washington Board of Commissioners Chairman Nick Sherman, a Republican, and county attorney Gary Sweat. An attorney for the ACLU said attempts to engage commissioners on the issue have been unresponsive.
Retired occupational therapist Bruce Jacobs, 65, one of the plaintiffs, said in a video news conference that the primaries had long since ended when he learned his vote had been invalidated because he did not sign and date the return envelope. He said he felt deceived and that his rights were denied.
“County officials have eroded people’s rights to the dignity of our elections,” Jacobs said. “And I believe this must change.”
Pennsylvania made access to mail-in ballots universal, a Democratic priority, under a 2019 law that also eliminated straight-party voting, a Republican goal. The pandemic hit a few months later, spurring participation in voting by mail. In subsequent elections, Pennsylvania Democrats were much more likely than Republicans to vote by mail.
The lawsuit has sparked a series of lawsuits, particularly over whether errors in filling out the outside of the return envelope could invalidate the ballot. Earlier this year, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals maintained a mandate Envelopes must contain accurate, handwritten dates.
During the April primaries, redesigned outer envelopes reduced the rate of rejected votesaccording to state election officials.
Older voters are disproportionately more likely to submit ballot envelopes with incorrect or missing dates, advocates said.
Post Views: 3
Support fearless, independent journalism
We are not owned by a billionaire or shareholders – our readers support us. Donate any amount over $2. BNC Global Media Group is a global news organization that delivers fearless investigative journalism to discerning readers like you! Help us to continue publishing daily.
Support us just once
We accept support of any size, at any time – you name it for $2 or more.
US
Does the Supreme Court have to issue a ruling before the term ends?
July 1, 2024
1 views
2 mins read
“As far as I know, the Supreme Court has always ruled on every case heard within a term before ending it. But
US
Former Missouri prison guards plead not guilty to murder in death of black man
July 1, 2024
1 views
1 min read
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri – Four former Missouri guards have pleaded not guilty to murder in death of a black man in prisonand
US
Rep. Victoria Spartz charged with weapons violation at Dulles Airport
July 1, 2024
1 views
1 min read
Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., has been charged with a weapons violation at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia, a spokesperson for the
US
Texas teenager strangled his mother to death, then hid her body in the trunk and drove to Nebraska
July 1, 2024
0 views
2 mins read
Tyler Roenz, who was 17 at the time of the murder, pleaded guilty to murder in connection with the 2022 death of
- ballots
- County
- deliberately
- hid
- invalidate
- lawsuit
- mailin
- Pennsylvania
- rulings
Related
US
Former Missouri prison guards plead not guilty to murder in death of black man
July 1, 2024
US
Karen Read murder case ends in mistrial. Prosecutors say they will try again
July 1, 2024
US
House Republicans sue Attorney General Garland over access to audio of Biden special counsel interview
July 1, 2024
US
US Supreme Court Latest: Court expected to rule on Trump immunity case as end of term approaches
July 1, 2024
US
Voters Expel All Republican Women From South Carolina Senate
July 1, 2024
More
Texas teenager strangled his mother to death, then hid her body in the trunk and drove to Nebraska
July 1, 2024
US
Tyler Roenz, who was 17 at the time of the murder, pleaded guilty to murder in connection with the 2022 death of his mother, 49-year-old Michelle Roenz. Harris
House GOP files lawsuit to force Garland to hand over audio of Biden-Hur interview
July 1, 2024
Court
The House Judiciary Committee filed suit Monday to force Attorney General Merrick Garland to turn over audiotapes of President Biden’s interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur about his
6 family members die in Sunday morning house fire in Juneau County
July 1, 2024
US
NECEDAH – Three adults and three children died after a house fire Sunday morning in Necedah. The fire was reported around 2:35 a.m. Sunday on Morros Mile Road,
Pennsylvania Man Killed When Fireworks Explode in His Garage
July 1, 2024
US
July 1, 2024, 11:42 am EDT UNION CITY, Pa. — A man was killed when some fireworks exploded at his home in Pennsylvania, state police said. Michael Cross,
Former Ye Employees Allege Racist Work Environment, Unpaid Work in Lawsuit
July 1, 2024
US
Ye, formerly Kanye West, is being sued by eight former employees who claim he and former Yeezy Apparel chief of staff Milo Yiannopoulos subjected them to “extreme racism
Sierra National Forest Partially Closed as Basin Fire Size Doubles in Fresno County
June 29, 2024
Climate change
A temporary partial closure of the Sierra National Forest is in effect until at least tomorrow because of the Basin Fire that was sparked by lightning this week.
Tornado watch issued for parts of Pennsylvania, including Center County. What to know
June 29, 2024
Weather
A tornado warning was issued Saturday afternoon for much of Pennsylvania, including all of Center County. O the clock is in effect until 8 p.m. and also includes
Lower court judges reject North Carolina redistricting lawsuit over right to ‘fair elections’
June 29, 2024
Politics
RALEIGH, North Carolina – North Carolina trial judges dismissed a lawsuit challenging the redrawn legislative and congressional district lines on the grounds that they conflict with indirect influence
Lawsuit challenges Ohio law that bans foreigners from donating to election campaigns
June 29, 2024
Politics
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A new law prohibiting foreign citizens and green card holders from contributing to state election campaigns in Ohio restricts constitutionally protected rights to free speech
Temu Buyers Warned The App Is ‘Dangerous Malware’ And Is READING Their Texts, New Lawsuit Claims
June 28, 2024
US
TEMU users were left terrified when a new lawsuit alleges the app is using “dangerous malware” to spy on their phone. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin filed the
NFL ordered to pay $4 billion in damages in Sunday Ticket live TV lawsuit, at great loss to commissioner Roger Goodell
June 27, 2024
Football
The NFL is being ordered to pay $4 billion following an antitrust trial. The lawsuit claimed the league knowingly priced TV packages to inflate ratings and charge fans
At $32.5 million, this California wine estate could set a sales record in Sonoma County. See why
June 27, 2024
US
If a 156-acre estate in California’s wine country – a beautiful estate surrounded by a redwood grove, vineyards, orchards and lavender fields – sells for the asking price
Jury begins deliberations in class action lawsuit against NFL by ‘Sunday Ticket’ subscribers
June 26, 2024
Entertainment
LOS ANGELES – The NFL was exploring a world without “Sunday Ticket” in 2017, where cable channels would air out-of-market games on Sunday afternoons not shown on Fox
Arkansas AG Lawsuit Claims Temu Shopping App Is ‘Dangerous Malware’
June 26, 2024
Apps
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin made sweeping charges against e-commerce app Temu in a court filing Tuesday, accusing the company of violating state law against deceptive business practices.
Dave Matthews Band violinist Boyd Tinsley arrested for DUI for being involved in accident months after sexual assault lawsuit
June 26, 2024
Celebrity
FORMER Dave Matthews Band member Boyd Tinsley has been arrested. Police revealed they brought in the violinist after he caused a major accident. 1 Former Dave Matthews Band
Shealy yields to state Senate runoff opponent for Lexington County seat
June 26, 2024
US
The first results from Tuesday’s runoff indicate that District 23 will have a new senator. Incumbent 12-year state senator Katrina Shealy conceded to her opponent Carlisle Kennedy on
Israeli lawsuit says UN agency helps Hamas by paying Gaza employees in dollars
June 26, 2024
US
NEW YORK — Israelis who were taken hostage or lost loved ones during the October 7 Hamas attack are suing the United Nations agency that helps Palestiniansclaiming it
Lawsuit Claims RFK Jr. Is Ineligible to Appear on the Polls in New Jersey
June 25, 2024
Court
A prominent Democratic election lawyer has alleged in a lawsuit that independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is ineligible to vote in New Jersey, adding hurdles to
Arizona County Republican Leader Threatened to ‘Lynch’ Election Official
June 25, 2024
Politics
A Republican in Arizona’s largest county threatened to “lynch” the county’s top elections official during a public event three months ago, according to a newly discovered video clip
Bill to ensure access to contraception advances in Pennsylvania, helped by dozens of votes in the GOP House
June 25, 2024
Politics
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A proposal to ensure access to contraceptives passed the Democratic-led Pennsylvania House on Tuesday, attracting dozens of Republican votes but facing an uncertain future
A key group is up for grabs in battleground Pennsylvania: Nikki Haley voters
June 25, 2024
Politics
ERIE, Pa. – Richard Speicher and Mary Gensheimer are longtime Republicans and Erie County residents. A yard sign that sat, until recently, on the front lawn of their
State troopers investigate fatal crash on I-75 in Butler County
June 25, 2024
US
June 25 – The Hamilton Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal three-vehicle crash the following morning that involved a pedestrian. On Interstate 75
Maricopa County GOP’s top official said he would ‘lynch’ election official
June 25, 2024
Politics
Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer speaks to reporters during a press conference at the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center on November 10, 2022, in Phoenix, Arizona. Justin
NHL seeks dismissal of ‘implausible’ junior hockey lawsuit
June 25, 2024
NHL
Blazing an antitrust lawsuit that accused the NHL of depriving junior hockey players of their market value as “implausible” and “factually unsupported,” the NHL last Friday asked a
New York County bans transgender athletes from public sports facilities
June 25, 2024
Politics
IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience, visit our site in another browser. Now playing New York County bans transgender athletes from public sports facilities 01:42
Lawsuit Challenges Louisiana Law Requiring Display of the Ten Commandments in Classrooms
June 25, 2024
US
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana – Civil liberties groups sued Monday to block Louisiana’s new law which requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in all public school classrooms, a
Civil liberties groups file lawsuit against Louisiana’s Ten Commandments law
June 24, 2024
Education
A coalition of civil liberties groups filed suit Monday against Louisiana after its governor last week signed a bill requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in all
Lawsuit challenges new Louisiana law requiring classrooms to display the Ten Commandments
June 24, 2024
Politics
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Civil liberties groups filed a lawsuit Monday challenging Louisiana’s new law which requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in all public school
Inside Prince William’s Taylor Swift night out — including his special moment with Charlotte and how they hid from the crowd
June 24, 2024
Kate Middleton
PRINCE William proved he is a full-fledged Swiftie after dancing the night away at a Taylor Swift concert last Friday. The future king celebrated his 42nd birthday at
Man who died in Sangamon County fire last week identified by coroner
June 24, 2024
US
A person who died in a fire in Dawson Village on June 16 was identified by Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon. David Crim, 63, lived in the house
Angela Simmons’ critics reject star’s apology after she takes gun-shaped bag to BET Awards in ‘tacky’ move
July 1, 2024
Celebrity
ACTRESS Angela Simmons has spoken out after receiving major backlash
I can finally smile after all my teeth rotted away and I was forced to wear dentures at just 29 years old
July 1, 2024
Health news
A WOMAN in her twenties was forced to wear dentures
What to know about the Supreme Court’s immunity ruling in Trump’s 2020 election interference case
July 1, 2024
Politics
WASHINGTON – O of the Supreme Court Ruling Monday in
Does the Supreme Court have to issue a ruling before the term ends?
July 1, 2024
US
“As far as I know, the Supreme Court has always
Kyle MacLachlan, 65, is a TikTok force who is connected to Charli XCX and Chappell Roan. Here’s what he thinks about its cult favorite status.
July 1, 2024
Celebrity
All Kyle MacLachlan fans know him as an iconic character
123…5,969Next