Skip to main content

No. 20-542October Term 2020Decided Feb 22, 2021

Docket 20-542October Term 2020 (2020–2021)

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

Current stage
Decided
Latest event
Decision released Feb 22, 2021
Case Accepted
Arguments
Decision ReleasedFeb 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.