Erie County, Pennsylvania, acknowledges irregularities in mail-in ballot delivery

The Pennsylvania Democratic Party sued Erie County on Wednesday alleging that between 10,000 and 20,000 voters had not received and returned mail-in ballots. With early voting already in progress and Election Day approaching, this development adds yet another judicial layer to the presidential election.

With all eyes on Pennsylvania, considered the key state among key states, both Democrats and Republicans intensified campaign efforts to sway the northernmost Pennsylvanian county.

The plaintiffs contended that the ballot return rate is lower than the statewide rate by 15%, according to The New York Times. They also alleged that 522 voters contacted the party to report that they had received erroneous ballots or that, outright, they had not been delivered.

In 2012, the county went overwhelmingly for Barack Obama. In the following election, Donald Trump won. In 2020, Joe Biden won over Erie, though only by one point.

Election officials acknowledge ruling

The Erie County Board of Elections acknowledged in a statement that "many voters" had not received "requested mail ballots."

After assuring that they were investigating the source of the problem, election officials announced extended hours for the Voter Registration and Elections Departments (new hours can be found here).

Those who did not receive a vote-by-mail ballot despite having requested it in time can go to the office to cancel it and receive a new one in hand.

Three Democratic state representatives called on their constituents to take advantage of the extended window or, ultimately, to vote on Nov. 5. However, they did not mention the future of the lawsuit. The GOP, for the time being, has not taken a position on the matter.