Republicans challenge voter ballot corrections in Pennsylvania

The Republican National Committee and the Pennsylvania Republican Party have initiated a lawsuit in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court against Secretary of State Al Schmidt and the state's 67 county election boards. This legal action aims to prevent election officials from allowing voters to correct technical issues with their mail ballots, a process known as curing. The lawsuit contends that state law prohibits notifying voters of ballot errors and allowing corrections before the ballots are counted. The lawsuit highlights that various counties in Pennsylvania have implemented differing procedures for curing ballots, which the Republicans argue violates the state constitution's requirement for uniform election processes. Additionally, the lawsuit claims that any curing process must be authorized by the state legislature, and existing laws prevent the inspection or opening of mail-in ballots prior to Election Day. The Republican Party's stance is rooted in concerns over election integrity, echoing sentiments expressed by former President Donald Trump regarding alleged election fraud. Despite these claims, there is no substantial evidence supporting widespread fraud in mail-in voting. The lawsuit also challenges guidance provided to voters about casting provisional ballots if their mail ballots are deemed defective, as well as automated notifications sent to voters about potential ballot issues. In response, the Pennsylvania secretary of state's office is reviewing the lawsuit, with officials expressing support for allowing voters to rectify technical deficiencies to ensure their votes are counted. The ongoing legal battle reflects broader national debates over voting rights and mail-in voting procedures, particularly as Democrats tend to favor mail voting more than Republicans.