
In a ruling issued Wednesday, the state's state court said a previous ruling declaring it null can be implemented beginning in March. The ruling strikes yet another blow to the state's universal mail-in ballot law.
Judge Mary Hannah Leavitt stated in late January that the law violated the Constitution of the state. When the state Supreme Court hears the case next month, Republican challengers are likely to prevail, Leavitt said on Wednesday.
A Democratic governor's appeal would also invalidate laws passed to expand absentee voting, according to the judge, as the higher court would overturn previous rulings rendered in 1862 and 1924. Those decisions were not found to be faulty by administration lawyers, Leavitt said.
On March 8, the state Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case. Leavitt's new decision allows the Commonwealth Court's Jan. 28 ruling to strike down the mail-in voting law to take effect starting March 15.
It is likely a constitutional amendment would be adopted if it were presented to people, but it is necessary to present a constitutional amendment to the people first. Leavitt, in addition to arguing Act 77 was passed by the Pennsylvania Legislature and signed into law by Wolf, explained that Act 77 was passed by the Pennsylvania Legislature and was signed into law by Wolf in 2019.
18 Feb 2022
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