The Republican National Committee

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May 7, 2024 | Press Release
Election Integrity

RNC and PAGOP File to Intervene in Pennsylvania Ballot Case

Press Release

WASHINGTON -- Today, The Republican National Committee (RNC) and PAGOP are fighting efforts to force Butler County to count illegal ballots. The plaintiffs aim to force the county to allow voters who did not return their mail ballots inside the required secrecy envelope to nevertheless vote by provisional ballot. The secrecy envelope requirement plays a crucial function in protecting election integrity because it prevents election officials from finding out who the voter voted for. There is no basis to force Butler County to allow voters who do not comply with this requirement to cast another ballot.  

RNC Chairman Michael Whatley stated: “If a vote is not legally cast, it should not be counted. Butler County does not allow ballot curing for ballots missing the required secrecy envelope – plain and simple. The RNC and PAGOP are fighting to uphold the law in Butler County and protect voter confidence in Pennsylvania.”

Pennsylvania GOP Chairman Lawrence Tabas said: “Voters deserve to have a transparent and fair electoral process, which is why PAGOP has intervened in this lawsuit. We are at a critical point in our Nation, and it is of the utmost importance that we have orderly administration of this November's election. We will continue to fight to ensure that our elections are fair and safe." 

Background: 

  • The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has affirmed that returning a mail ballot in the secrecy envelope is mandatory under the Election Code. The Court has also said that the Election Code does not provide a right to cure mail ballot errors, saying that is a question for the Legislature. 
  • During the primary election, the Secretary of the Commonwealth contacted voters believed to have cast mail ballots lacking the required secrecy envelope and instructing them to cast a provisional ballot – flying in the face of the law in Butler County where this is banned.
  • Pennsylvania law bans election officials from opening mail ballot packages before Election Day, and it is unclear how the Secretary is circumventing this requirement to determine whether the secrecy envelope is missing. 
  • The RNC has now engaged in 84 cases this election cycle across 25 states.

Read the filing HERE.