Pennsylvania Voter Roll Issue Resolved, Concerns Raised Over SAVE Act

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A joint statement from the ACLU of Pennsylvania, New Pennsylvania Project, and the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania addresses claims made by Sen. Dave McCormick regarding a recent incident involving Chester County voter rolls. The organizations assert the incident demonstrates the accuracy, safety, and security of Pennsylvania elections, and that existing fail-safes within the election system functioned as intended to protect voter rights. The statement also addresses concerns about the potential impact of the SAVE Act, arguing its requirements for voter identification could disenfranchise eligible voters.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing debates around election integrity and voter access in Pennsylvania, as well as the potential consequences of restrictive voter ID laws like the SAVE Act. The organizations' response aims to counter claims about election security and emphasize the importance of protecting the right to vote for all eligible Pennsylvanians.

The details

Chester County election officials made an administrative mistake by leaving third-party and unaffiliated voters off the voter rolls, but all impacted voters were offered the opportunity to cast a provisional ballot on Election Day. Pennsylvania's provisional ballot process includes multiple checks to verify voter eligibility, and 96% of the provisional ballots cast in Chester County were ultimately counted as eligible votes. The organizations argue this incident demonstrates the accuracy and security of the state's elections. However, they express concerns that the SAVE Act's requirements for voter identification, specifically mandating a birth certificate or passport as proof of citizenship, could disproportionately affect lower-income Americans, Black and brown voters, students, people with disabilities, and individuals whose legal names differ from their birth certificates.

• The incident involving Chester County voter rolls occurred during the most recent election.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Sen. McCormick is expected to respond to the statement issued by the three organizations. Further debate regarding the SAVE Act is likely to continue, potentially leading to amendments or legal challenges. Analysts expect continued scrutiny of election administration practices in Pennsylvania, particularly as future elections approach.