The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court has ruled that no excuse mail-in voting is unconstitutional in the state.
The court issued the ruling earlier this morning writing that the Pennsylvania Constitution requires in-person voting and that “the ability to vote at another time and place…requires specific constitutional authorization.”
No excuse mail-in voting was one of the centerpieces of Act 77—a bipartisan law passed in 2019.
Congressman Mike Kelly (R-Butler) led a challenge to that law in the wake of the 2020 election. He issued a statement soon after the ruling.
“The ruling by the Commonwealth Court is exactly why I led the challenge of Act 77 over a year ago. Act 77 is unconstitutional and deserves further review,” Kelly said. “Any changes to Pennsylvania’s voting laws are required to take place through a Constitutional amendment, not legislation. That is why I filed my lawsuit after the 2020 election. I’m pleased to see the Court advance this case that will create stronger, more secure mail-in voting laws in our great commonwealth.”
Democratic leaders in the PA Senate say they will appeal this ruling to the state Supreme Court.
