Warner: PA Supreme Court Decision a ‘Disgrace to Democracy’

September 17, 2020

HARRISBURG – Rep. Ryan Warner (R-Fayette/Westmoreland) issued the following statement in response to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling impacting the upcoming election. Specifically, the court ruled that mail-in ballots received up to three days following the election day deadline may be counted and allowed for both satellite election office locations and the use of drop boxes.

“This ruling is nothing short of a disgrace to democracy. The Supreme Court has ZERO authority to dictate law. The Constitution lays out the duties of the three separate but equal branches of government, and it is the legislative branch – not the judicial or the executive branches – that is charged with MAKING the laws of this Commonwealth.

“Just like the governor has been ignoring the General Assembly in favor of making unilateral decisions, now the court is following suit. While existing law states ballots must be received by election day in order to be counted, the court has decided to ignore that law and extend the deadline by three days. Current law does not allow for the use of drop boxes, but the court feels it knows better and ruled they can be used.

“The General Assembly adopted the most extensive election reform bill in decades last year. It made voting easier and more accessible to all Pennsylvanians. Mail-in ballots are to be dropped in your mailbox to send back to the county in which you reside; there is no need for drop boxes or other special measures. People simply need to be responsible about returning their ballots with ample time for them to be delivered. It’s not rocket science.”

Representative Ryan Warner
52nd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Patricia Hippler
717.772.9846
phippler@pahousegop.com
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