No. 20-542October Term 2020Decided Feb 22, 2021Updated Feb 22, 2021
Republican Party of Pennsylvania v. Degraffenreid
This case challenges a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling that let mailed ballots received up to three days after Election Day be counted and told officials to presume ballots with missing or unclear postmarks were mailed on time unless proven otherwise.
Case status
Decided · February 22, 2021
Read the opinion (PDF)- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released Feb 22, 2021
- What it's about
This case challenges a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling that let mailed ballots received up to three days after Election Day be counted and told officials to presume ballots with missing or unclear postmarks were mailed on time unless proven otherwise. The petition argues that the state court changed election rules set by the legislature for federal elections and presidential electors, and that those changes conflict with federal law requiring a uniform national Election Day.
Question presented
Whether the Electors Clause constrains state courts from altering election deadlines enacted by state legislatures?
- Case path
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, Middle District / Decision released Feb 22, 2021
- Area
Elections
Timing
Decided February 22, 2021
The Court released its decision on February 22, 2021 without hearing oral argument.
Documents
Opinions
Orders
Key filings
Briefs on file: 41View on supremecourt.gov
Activity
Docket activity4
Opinion added: Opinion
Feb 22, 2021 | Court records
Brief added: Reply
Nov 9, 2020 | Court records
Court Order added: Lower Court Orders/Opinions
Nov 6, 2020 | Court records
Brief added: Petition
Oct 23, 2020 | Court records
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Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Jul 25, 2026
- Method
- Methodology