The Pennsylvania Democratic Celebration filed a lawsuit in opposition to Erie County on Wednesday, arguing that many citizens have but to obtain mail-in ballots forward of Election Day.
The lawsuit argues that 10,000 to 2,000 voters who requested mail-in ballots “have not received or submitted such ballots,” and the return fee is 15 share factors decrease than common in Pennsylvania.
The lawsuit asks a choose to order varied steps to make sure affected voters can nonetheless solid a legitimate poll and to supply an inventory of those that have been impacted.
“Without redress by this Court, Plaintiff will be deprived of a lawful, full, and fair election,” the swimsuit states.
Greater than 500 voters had contacted the occasion’s hotline to say they’d “either received an incorrect mail-in ballot or have yet to receive any mail-in ballot whatsoever,” The New York Occasions reported.
Native shops have reported the difficulty is the fault of an out of doors vendor who had tackle system failure.
The Hill has reached out to the Pennsylvania Democratic Celebration and the Erie County Board of Elections for remark.
In an announcement Tuesday, the board mentioned it was conscious that voters within the county had not obtained their requested mail-in ballots.
“The Board has been working diligently with the Voter Registration Department, the Pennsylvania Department of State, and the United States Post Office to determine the origin and scope of this matter,” the board’s assertion mentioned.
The board mentioned anybody who requested a poll earlier than the deadline and has but to obtain it will probably come to the Erie County Board of Elections workplace to cancel it and obtain a brand new one till Monday, Nov. 4, at 4:30 p.m. The board additionally prolonged its working hours for voter registration and election departments.
Pennsylvania is a crucial battleground state that can assist decide the presidency and if Democrats keep management of the Senate.
It’s some of the carefully watched states and has seen a historical past of election-related authorized battles. The 2 largest races within the state will likely be carefully monitored within the coming days because the state grapples with continued authorized troubles forward of Election Day.
In accordance with The Hill/Resolution Desk HQ, former President Trump has a 0.8 share level lead over Vice President Harris within the state. Sen. Bob Casey (D) has a slight lead with 48 p.c over his Republican challenger, Dave McCormick, who has 45.8 p.c assist.
Zach Schonfeld contributed to this report.
