Challenges of Precanvassing Mail Ballots in Pennsylvania’s Election Process
In Pennsylvania, the delays in processing mail ballots due to strict ‘precanvassing’ rules have raised concerns among election officials, particularly as the state prepares for the upcoming election. Former President Trump’s claims of fraud based on these delays exacerbate worries about public trust in the electoral process. Election officials advocate for reforms that would allow early processing of mail ballots, which remains blocked by political disagreements over voter ID regulations, leaving them apprehensive about the upcoming election efficiency and legitimacy.
HARRISBURG — The 2020 presidential election marked the first significant evaluation of no-excuse mail voting in Pennsylvania. The introduction of this process coincided with a surge in mail voting, largely attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. Coupled with the state’s rigorously defined rules surrounding ‘precanvassing’ mail ballots, Pennsylvania was notably positioned to experience delayed election results. Following the election, former President Donald Trump leveraged the slow returns to propagate unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud, an assertion that resonated with his supporters. Election officials now express concerns regarding the resurgence of similar destabilizing disinformation in the upcoming election season. “That period of uncertainty is something that is exploited by bad-faith actors to undermine the confidence in the outcome,” stated Secretary of State Al Schmidt during a CNN interview. In discussions aimed at enhancing the voting process, election directors across Pennsylvania universally advocate for the early commencement of precanvassing for absentee and mail ballots before Election Day. Precanvassing refers to the preparatory measures taken to ready ballots for counting, which entails steps such as verifying signatures, opening envelopes, organizing ballots, and scanning them for tabulation—though no vote counting occurs until Election Day itself. As one of only seven states that do not permit election officials to initiate the processing of absentee or mail ballots until 7 a.m. on Election Day, Pennsylvania’s election workers face the simultaneous challenge of managing ballots while polls are open, effectively conducting two elections concurrently— a situation that can complicate and delay the availability of unofficial results. Although significant developments occurred since the 2020 election, including county officials gaining greater familiarity with mail voting regulations and receiving substantial grant funding to enhance election infrastructure, the state legislature remains deadlocked. Proposals to extend precanvassing have stagnated, with Republicans insisting on coupling such measures with stricter voter identification laws, which Democrats oppose. This stalemate means election workers will continue to operate under constrained timelines as the November 5 election approaches. The state law delineates that precanvassing involves the inspection and opening of mail ballots, along with the preparation of those ballots for counting. However, while 43 states have provisions to process ballots ahead of Election Day, only a select few allow for tallying votes during that period, often with strict regulations against premature disclosure of results. Despite varying methods among counties, the consensus among election directors is that undertaking some preparatory work prior to Election Day would facilitate smoother election operations. Currently, the process of verifying and preparing mail ballots is labor-intensive; election officials report that it can take several minutes per ballot to ensure all procedures are accurately followed. Legislative activities since 2020 have included the passing of reform measures in the state House that aim to allow poll workers increased precanvassing time—initially proposing a week before the elections. However, subsequent iterations of the bill have seen significant amendments, ultimately leading to its passage along party lines without adequate support from Senate Republicans, who maintain that reforms should include voter ID mandates. “Any discussions of changes to the administration of elections in our commonwealth must also include a constitutional voter identification requirement,” stated Majority Leader Joe Pittman. In previous sessions, similar legislative proposals faced defeat primarily due to opposition to ID requirements, a detail that continues to hinder progress on precanvassing as the election approaches. The current administration has displayed some openness to revising voter ID standards, a shift from prior opposition, potentially influencing the legislative discourse going forward.
In Pennsylvania, the introduction of no-excuse mail voting during the 2020 presidential election unveiled significant challenges due to the compounded execution of mail ballot processing with ongoing in-person voting. The intricacies of state law regarding ‘precanvassing’ and external political dynamics have played a critical role in shaping the operational framework for future elections. The push for reform amid ongoing partisan negotiations reflects the broader national conversation surrounding voting rights and electoral integrity, especially in light of the disinformation campaign that emerged post-2020 election.
The issue of precanvassing mail ballots in Pennsylvania underscores a significant challenge faced by election officials, particularly with the juxtaposition of mail-in voting processes and traditional in-person voting. Despite increased familiarity with the mail voting system and enhanced resources, legislative gridlock persists. The ongoing debate surrounding voter identification provisions complicates the path toward more efficient ballot processing. As the November election nears, the need for resolution becomes increasingly critical, not only for the operational success of the election but also for public confidence in the electoral outcome.
Original Source: www.spotlightpa.org
