Democrats in Pennsylvania move forward with bill that will help counties process ballots more quickly.
Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives made a significant move on Wednesday as they approved a crucial bill that has long been sought by counties in need of assistance in managing the overwhelming influx of mail-in ballots during elections in the state. The purpose of this bill is to prevent a repeat of the drawn-out vote count that occurred during the 2020 elections, especially with the upcoming presidential election in November.
The bill passed with a vote of 102-99 along party lines, with Democrats supporting it and Republicans opposing it due to concerns about potential fraud. Despite this approval in the House, the bill faces tough odds in the Republican-controlled Senate.
One of the key provisions in the bill is the allowance for county election workers to start processing ballots up to seven days before Election Day. This change is crucial as it provides counties with the opportunity to handle mail-in ballots more efficiently and avoid delays in the post-election vote count.
County election workers in Pennsylvania have been advocating for this provision for years, even before the challenges faced during the 2020 presidential election. Most states already allow for pre-processing of mail-in ballots before Election Day, unlike Pennsylvania where such processing can only begin on the actual day of the election.
The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania strongly supports this bill, emphasizing that the process of “precanvassing” will significantly improve election administration without compromising the security of the ballots. Lisa Schaefer, the association’s executive director, expressed the importance of advancing this bill quickly to ensure smoother election management leading up to the November general election.
On the other hand, GOP Majority Leader Joe Pittman from the Senate has emphasized the need to implement stricter voter identification requirements alongside any election administration legislation. This has been met with opposition from Democrats who argue that voter fraud is minimal and that such requirements may prevent certain registered voters from participating in the election.
The spotlight on Pennsylvania’s election system became more intense after the surge in mail-in ballots during the 2020 presidential election, leading to a four-day counting process before Democratic President Joe Biden was projected as the winner. The delay in counting mail-in ballots was exploited by former President Donald Trump and his allies to spread unfounded conspiracy theories and question the legitimacy of the election.
As the state gears up for another crucial election, the passage of this bill by the Senate could be a defining moment in shaping the future of Pennsylvania’s election processes. With the possibility of the state playing a pivotal role in determining the next president, the focus is now on how effectively this bill can be implemented to ensure a smoother and more secure election process.
