The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a case challenging Oregon’s long-standing mail-in voting system. This decision comes as part of ongoing debates about the integrity of mail-in ballots ahead of the 2024 election. The plaintiffs in the case argued that Oregon’s mail-in voting system disenfranchises legitimate voters by allowing “phantom votes.” However, the Supreme Court’s decision to not take up the case leaves the lower court’s dismissal in place.
The lawsuit initially faced rejection in a district court last summer and was subsequently dismissed by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in December. The appeals court noted that the plaintiffs did not provide specific evidence of fraudulent manipulation in Oregon elections, only expressing a generalized lack of confidence in the system. This lack of concrete allegations meant the plaintiffs failed to establish standing, according to the three-judge panel.
In a separate but related case, the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling impacting mail-in voting in Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state. The court sided with the Republican National Committee on the issue of signature verification for mail-in ballots, overturning a lower court decision. The case centered on whether mail-in ballots without a date or with an incorrect date should be counted. Democrats argued that such errors should be overlooked based on the Materiality Provision of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prevents disenfranchisement due to minor errors on voting paperwork.
However, the appeals court ruled that the date requirement for ballots is a valid and mandatory part of the voting process in Pennsylvania. They emphasized that while the Materiality Provision protects against unnecessary barriers to voter qualification, it does not override state laws governing how ballots are cast. This decision is seen as a significant win for Republicans advocating for stricter voter integrity measures.
RNC Chairman Michael Whatley praised the decision, stating it was a crucial victory for election integrity and voter confidence, not just in Pennsylvania but nationwide. The ruling reinforces the state’s authority to enforce specific rules for mail-in ballots, ensuring that voters adhere to established procedures when casting their votes.
