State of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Chester County Provisional Ballot Missing Signature Challenge

McCormick v. Chester County Board of Elections

Lawsuit filed by Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, David McCormick, the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Republican party of Pennsylvania against the Chester County Board of Elections challenging the board’s decision to count 58 provisional ballots missing the signature of the judge of elections, minority inspector or both in the November 2024 general election. On Nov. 7, 2024, the plaintiffs claim Pennsylvania Department of State issued guidance suggesting that provisional ballots should be counted regardless of whether the voter affidavit was missing the signature of the judge of elections of the minority inspector. The Republican plaintiffs argue that the decision violates Pennsylvania law — which requires provisional ballots to be signed by both the judge of elections and the minority inspector — and ask the court to prohibit Chester County from counting provisional ballots missing the election official signatures required by state law. 

RESULT: On Nov. 20, 2024, the court denied the Republican plaintiffs’ petition. The challenged provisional ballots will be counted in the November 2024 election results.

Case Documents

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