HARRISBURG — Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Brockway, spoke out earlier this week on the state Supreme Court’s ruling in a case regarding mail-in ballots for the 2020 election.

The Supreme Court upheld a lower court’s ruling that allowed the counting of ballots with minor errors, like voters not including their address or the date on the ballot’s outer envelope.

“The actions of the PA Supreme Court this week threaten our democracy and have once again trampled the Constitution,” Scarnati said. “On Monday, four of the PA Supreme Court Justices agreed that the Election Code is clear and unambiguous that it is mandatory to fill out, sign and date mail in-ballots.”

He continued, “However, while Justice (David) Wecht agreed with this holding, he inappropriately declared that the mandatory signature and date will not apply to the 2020 election but will apply moving forward and refused to invalidate ballots challenged because the voter failed to date them in Allegheny County.”

A motion to reconsider was denied, the senator said.

“We will not sit back quietly and allow the liberal left to steal the 2020 election. The foundation of our democracy demands that all elections are fair and legal,” Scarnati continued. “Voters deserve to have assurance in our election process and to know that only legal votes are counted. It has become abundantly clear that the PA Supreme Court majority bases their rulings on political motivations and not what is in the best interest of ensuring fair elections.”

The senator continued, saying Wecht’s opinion failed to uphold the law, and ignored precedent.

“Treating the 2020 election differently than future elections is reprehensible and diminishes all confidence in our election system and the results.”