Pennsylvania York County Provisional Ballot Signature and Envelope Error Challenge 

Lawsuit filed by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) and Bob Casey for Senate challenging the York County Board of Elections’ decision to not count 211 provisional ballots cast in the 2024 general election that were either missing one of two signatures or were not enclosed in a secrecy envelope. The Democratic plaintiffs allege that the otherwise valid provisional ballots were disqualified solely based on flaws that were the direct result of inaccurate poll worker instructions, thereby violating voters’ due process rights as well as the federal Help America Vote Act. The lawsuit asserts that the ballots that were challenged for signature errors were missing only one of two required signatures, indicating voters were willing to sign when properly instructed. If a voter failed to sign either the affidavit or the outer envelope, it suggests the poll worker did not clearly instruct the voter or allowed the voter to walk away without having signed. As to provisional ballots missing inner secrecy envelopes, the lawsuit argues that there is strong indication that poll workers did not provide voters with these envelopes or failed to adequately instruct voters on their use. The plaintiffs ask the court to reverse the county board’s decision to disqualify the 211 provisional ballots. 

RESULT: On Nov. 25, 2024, the Democratic plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed their case.

Last updated: November 26, 2024 10:04 am EST