Philadelphia Election Officials Ask Supreme Court To Weigh In On Lawsuit Brought By Trump Campaign
Philadelphia elections officials have asked the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to reverse a ruling that allows canvass observers for the Trump campaign to sit closer, and observe more closely, as mail-in ballots continue to be counted.
The legal filings forced election workers to briefly stop the process of counting mail-in ballots just before noon ET. They have since resumed.
“The count is going forward,” said Kevin Feeley, spokesman for the city commissioners, who are overseeing the election in Philadelphia.“There was a brief pause earlier today in light of ongoing litigation but it has resumed in accordance with the law.”
Philadelphia election officials argued that allowing the canvass observers to sit closer jeopardizes both the safety of ballot processing and the privacy of voters, according to the latest court filing.
The Supreme Court in Pennsylvania has yet to weigh in on the request.
“There’s was a petition for allowance of appeal by The board of elections in Philadelphia. The court has taken no action on this filing,” said Stacey Witalec, spokesperson for the Supreme Court. “They will review it and determine either to grant or deny the appeal.”
According to the city officials’ filing:
“Once again, the statutory provisions at issue give Plaintiff only the right “to remain in the room” and to “be present” where and when the canvassing occurs. The Board has indisputably honored that right, but, as confirmed by the record, has also afforded Plaintiff’s representatives the ability to observe every stage of the canvassing process. The Election Code does not say that representatives have the right to be able to read the language written on each ballot declaration or otherwise to make their own determinations of declaration sufficiency with respect to individual ballots. No such right exists.”
You can read the court filing here.
