Wolf Calls For New Mail-In Voting Laws In PA

HARRISBURG, PA — Gov. Wolf called on lawmakers Thursday to pass election changes related to mail-in voting, saying the changes would make voting safer and more secure during the coronavirus pandemic.

Wolf asked the legislature to let poll workers begin processing ballots earlier, require counties to send out mail-in ballots earlier, and allow ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted through the following Friday.

>>PA Leaders Blast Changes At USPS, File Lawsuit Ahead Of Election

"Regardless of whether you cast your vote from the convenience of home with a mail-in ballot, or in person on Election Day, my administration has worked hard to ensure that every person has their voice heard and every vote is counted," Wolf said. "These proposed reforms will further strengthen our elections, help people to vote safely from home, and assist counties in processing the surge in mail-in ballots."

The move comes as Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro plans to bring a lawsuit against Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, joining leaders from 20 other states in an attempt to prevent operational changes at the Postal Service which could impact the delivery of mail. Once the lawsuit was filed, DeJoy said all changes would be postponed until after the election.

>>To Vote By Mail Or Not? Here's What Pennsylvanians Think

June's primary elections marked the first time all Pennsylvania voters were allowed to vote by mail without providing a reason. The Republican legislature passed a measure expanding mail-in balloting long before the pandemic, in the fall of 2019.

With the primary coming near the height of the coronavirus outbreak in the state, Pennsylvanians voted by mail in overwhelming numbers, casting nearly 1.5 million mail-in or absentee ballots. That's more than half of all votes cast in the primary and officials are expected even more voting by mail in November's presidential election.

>>37,000 PA Primary Mail-In Ballots Rejected In 2020, Study Finds

On Thursday, Wolf outlines four specific requests for lawmakers:

• Allow counties to start processing mail-in ballots 21 days before Election Day. That would mean removing them from envelopes and preparing them to be scanned, but not counting them until polls are closed. Current law doesn't let poll workers even open the envelopes before 7 a.m. on Election Day, which many counties said led to late returns during June's primaries.
• Require counties to start sending out mail-in ballots at least 28 days before Election Day. Current law requires them to be sent out no more than 14 days before. The change would provide more assurance that the U.S. Postal Service would deliver the votes in time, Wolf said.
• Allow counties to count ballots postmarked on or before Election Day to be counted if they are received by the Friday following Election Day.
• Give counties the flexibility to appoint new poll workers to vacant positions earlier. Current law doesn't allow such appointments more than five days before an election.

Wolf acknowledged the requests are an "opening salvo" and said he's open to more conversation with lawmakers about changes to insure November's election runs smoothly. Pennsylvania, as usual, is considered a swing state in the presidential election and, as such, will be closely watched nationally for results.

"If you want to vote by mail, apply now and your county will send you a ballot as soon as it is finalized," said Wolf, speaking at a news conference at Ridgeway Community Church, which serves as a polling place in Dauphin County. "When you receive your ballot, complete it and mail it back as soon as you can so your county gets it in plenty of time."

In Pennsylvania, eligible voters may apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot online, in person at their county election office or by paper forms submitted by mail. Counties will send voters a ballot with return postage, so casting the ballot by mail is free.

Voters will be able to return the ballot by mail, drop it off at their county election office or drop it at drop boxes counties are expected to provide before Election Day.

The voter registration deadline for the Nov. 3 general election is Oct. 19. The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is Oct. 27.