Pennsylvanians scurry to fix mail-in ballots after ruling

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By MARK SCOLFORO

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Some of Pennsylvania’s largest counties were among those working Monday to help voters fix mail-in ballots that have fatal flaws such as incorrect dates or missing signatures on the envelopes used to send them in.

Elections officials in Philadelphia and Allegheny, which includes Pittsburgh, announced measures they were taking in response to state Supreme Court orders in recent days that said mail-in ballots may not be counted if they lack accurate handwritten dates on the exterior envelopes.

The Department of State said it was unclear just how many ballots are at issue across the state. The agency over the weekend asked counties to provide the numbers, broken down by political party. Officials said some counties were not letting voters fix their mistakes.

Ahead of Tuesday’s midterms, more than a million mail-in and absentee ballots have already been returned in Pennsylvania, with Democrats far more likely than Republicans to vote by mail. The numbers are large enough that they might matter in a close race, such as the contest between Democrat John Fetterman and Republican Mehmet Oz that could determine majority control of the U.S. Senate.



Voters wait in line to make a corrections to their ballots for the midterm elections at City Hall in Philadelphia, Monday, Nov. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-philadelphia-7baedef7e9d8f0466398632f60efe1e8

[iluvtennis]

1. Over a million mail in ballots with formatting issues like dates, signatures, etc - something stinks

here.

There is something wrong with the way the ballots and instructions were constructed if over 1 MILLION people got dates wrong or failed to sign. SOmehting is wrong here. This could cause Fetterman and Shapiro to not get significant votes.

[More_Cowbell]

2. A million ballots were received, not a million had errors

The story and the excerpt both say "more than a million mail-in and absentee ballots have already been returned in Pennsylvania."

You're right that there seems to be a persistent problem in PA though; maybe the instructions aren't clear enough?

[iluvtennis]

4. Thanks for correct my mistake- much appreciated.

[harumph]

3. "Scurry?" "rush" might have been a better word choice.

[SlimJimmy]

5. Honestly, sign and date here.

This is truly not rocket science. We do it on documents and applications all the time. The last time I went to a new doctor, I had to fill out the paperwork, then sign and date it. What am I missing?

[RobinA]

8. My Read Is That

we aren't used to signing and dating envelopes, so once people seal the outer envelope they let their attention lapse. That's all I can figure.

[SlimJimmy]

10. Could be

[PA_jen]

6. hmmm...Scurry? Rat's scurry... is this some sort of innuendo?

[Igel]

11. As do lots of other creatures. Like people.

https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/scurry_1

Include "more examples" when offered by the +.

Otherwise, don't take what's not offered.

BTW, it's "rats", no '.

[madville]

7. Amazing how many can't fill out simple forms

I handled IT user agreement, background check and security clearance paperwork for years. It’s unreal how many people can’t fill out simple forms and follow instructions.

At least some offices are attempting to notify voters that they have to come correct the signature and date on the envelope, I’m sure this will be a lawsuit this next week to accept or reject those that steam corrected.

[Polybius]

9. There's a remedy for this

Vote in person. I know I'm prone to making a mistake or two occasionally, so I will be on my way to the polls before sundown.