4,200 Provisional Ballots Challenged In Montco; Hearing Scheduled

Update: GOP Withdraws Dispute To Thousands Of Montco Provisional Ballots

NORRISTOWN, PA — Poll watchers have challenged the validity of thousands of provisional ballots that were cast in Montgomery County during the 2020 election.

An upcoming hearing organized by the county Board of Election will consider each of the 4,223 objections. It's set for Nov. 12.

Voters who requested a mail-in ballot but either lost it or did not receive it were permitted to go in-person to polls on Election Day and request a provisional ballot. Their mail-in ballot was then canceled, officials said.

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Watchers challenged ballots for multiple reasons, most often for missing a signature or leaving another data field blank. A full list of all ballots that were challenged in the county is online here.

Data on the party affiliation of these ballots was not available.

2020 saw record numbers of provisional ballots cast around the county and state due to the record number of mail-in ballots requested. In a typical year, only a tiny fraction of all ballots would be provisional, making this yet another unique turn in a truly unprecedented 2020 election season.

The hearing will consider the merits of each challenge before the Election Board makes a final ruling. Both Democratic and Republican watchers were permitted to file challenges.

"During the hearing, challengers will have the opportunity to present the basis for the challenges, any evidence and witnesses," the county said in their announcement regarding the hearing. "The Election Board counsel will be permitted to also question any witness presented by the challengers. The Election Board counsel will then present any evidence and witnesses and the challenger may question any witnesses presented."

If your ballot was challenged and you wish to submit a comment to the hearing, email ballots@montcopa.org. The hearing will be broadcast live on the county's Facebook page at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12.