Pennsylvania Judge Orders County to Not Turn Away Mail-In Ballot Applicants

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Republicans are asking a court to order the board of elections not to turn away prospective mail-in ballot voters who are waiting in line by 5 p.m. ET.

A judge in Pennsylvania issued a preliminary injunction on Oct. 30 preventing the Bucks County Board of Elections from turning away individuals who show up to apply for mail-in ballots.

Court of Common Pleas of Bucks County Judge Jeffrey Trauger said in his order that the board of elections violated state election code. He also ordered the board to allow prospective voters before the close of business on Nov. 1.

Republicans had filed a lawsuit accusing Bucks County of disobeying state law by turning away voters at county elections offices and refusing to process mail-in ballot applications.

“There were several reports during the several days preceding the final day of On Demand Mail-in Ballot Option deadline of Oct. 29, that locations were turning away voters because of long lines and closing of sites earlier than posted hours where voters were told they would be able to exercise this option,” read the lawsuit, filed in the Court of Common Pleas of Bucks County.

The lawsuit was brought by the Republican National Committee, former President Donald Trump’s campaign, Republican Party of Pennsylvania, and David McCormick, who is running for U.S. Senate in the Commonwealth.

“This is a landmark victory that will allow our voters to cast those votes pursuant to Pennsylvania law,” RNC Chair Michael Whatley told reporters shortly after the injunction was issued.

“The RNC will leave no stone unturned in ensuring a fair, accurate and secure and transparent election, not just for Republican voters, but for all voters.”

Republicans had requested an injunction preventing the Bucks County Board of Elections and individuals acting on their behalf from refusing to process ballot applications from individuals who showed up to designated sites by 5 p.m. ET.

The lawsuit pointed to an Oct. 29 social media post from the Pennsylvania Department of State that told voters: “If you are in line at a county elections office tonight at 5 p.m. to apply for your mail-in ballot, counties must give you an opportunity to do so.”

Pennsylvania’s election code states, in part: “Applications for absentee ballots shall be processed if received not later than five o’clock p.m. of the first tuesday prior to the day of any primary or election,” which was Oct. 29.

Republicans argued that by showing up by 5 p.m., Pennsylvania voters “effectively attempted to apply for a mail in ballot by the application deadline but the Board refused to process” them in violation of the election code.

The county board of elections and department of state did not respond to The Epoch Times’ request for comment before publishing time.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.