Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives recently passed a significant bill aimed at assisting counties in efficiently managing the influx of mail-in ballots during elections, particularly in the crucial battleground state’s presidential contests.
The legislation, passed along party lines with Democrats in favor and Republicans opposing, grants county election workers the authority to commence processing ballots up to seven days before Election Day.
This measure addresses a long-standing request from counties, predating the 2020 presidential election, to provide them with more time to handle mail-in ballots and alleviate the strain of post-election ballot counting.
While most states allow for the processing of mail-in ballots before Election Day, Pennsylvania currently lacks such provisions.
The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania has thrown its support behind the bill, citing the benefits of precanvassing in enhancing election administration efficiency without compromising security.
Lisa Schaefer, the association’s executive director, urged the Republican-controlled Senate to swiftly advance the bill to Governor Josh Shapiro’s desk for implementation ahead of the upcoming general election.
However, in the Senate, GOP Majority Leader Joe Pittman has emphasized the need for tougher voter identification requirements to accompany any election administration legislation.
Democrats have pushed back against stricter voter ID laws, arguing that instances of in-person voting fraud are minimal and that such measures could disenfranchise eligible voters.
The spotlight on Pennsylvania’s election processes intensified during the 2020 presidential election, as the prolonged ballot counting process drew attention.
Despite baseless claims and conspiracy theories from former President Donald Trump and his supporters, the state ultimately certified Joe Biden’s victory after several days of counting mail-in ballots.