EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — We are going to begin with a court ruling that could cost you your vote this November election.
It centers on voters who use mail-in ballots and what they do with the outer envelope.
In a state Supreme Court ruling, Pennsylvania voters could have their mail-in ballots thrown out- if they do not write the accurate dates on the envelope they use to return them.
Voters 28/22 News spoke with feel the ruling is unfair and may rethink how they vote.
"Kinda not decided yet, but hopefully I go to the polls," said Marie Ferriero from Laflin.
Ferriero is sure she will vote in the 2024 November election, but how she will vote is what she is not sure of, especially after hearing Friday's Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling.
It would disqualify any mail-in ballot with the wrong date the voter writes on the outer envelope.
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"Being a Democrat in Pennsylvania I don't really like it. If the date is 2024 this election than why wouldn't it count," says Joe Stuccio from Swpyersville.
According to the Associated Press, more Democrats than Republicans vote by mail-in ballot.
Older voters have been disproportionately more likely to have their mail-in ballots invalidated because of problems with the exterior of the envelope.
"All of us, I don't care who you are we forget dates most of the time. So I think it's crazy. It's not a good thing for the state of Pennsylvania," added Donna Tyson from Exeter.
Political Analyst Dr. David Sosar feels the ruling, decided by two Democrats and two Republicans is fair.
He says it is the Commonwealth's way of setting ground rules for both parties and upholding election integrity.
"Follow the instructions and there will be no problem. If you don't follow the instructions and you err in casting your vote. Your vote there's no way that we could accept it or do anything about it but throw it out," explained Dr. Sosar.
"I think they should allow a grace period. They should have a date it has to be in by this but allow so many day grace period just for error," continued Ferriero.
Dr. Sosar feels there's no room for error and that this election is so close the difference between winner and loser could be as little as 25-30,000 votes.
"Yes, I'm going to make sure my dates are perfect because I want my vote to count. It's a very important election," mentioned Stuccio.
The last day to apply for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot is October 29th. The election is November 5th.
