HARRISBURG, Pa. - In the last few days, counties throughout Pennsylvania have faced an alarming surge of challenges to mail ballot applications from eligible voters living overseas. These overseas voters, known as "federal voters," have every right to participate in elections, and any attempt to challenge their eligibility is a clear violation of their rights. The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, enacted with bipartisan support and signed by President Reagan in 1986, was designed to ensure that the voices of Americans living abroad are not silenced. This unprecedented wave of challenges is not just an attack on individual voters; it is a blatant and illegal attempt to undermine our democratic process and to sow doubt in our elections.
On Sunday, the ACLU of Pennsylvania and the ACLU sent a letter to all 67 county solicitors in the commonwealth explaining why these challenges are illegal under federal law.
The PA Voters Decide Coalition stands in opposition to these challenges, as their only goal is to disenfranchise Pennsylvania voters right before a pivotal election. Members of the coalition responded to the challenges:
“Citizenship gives Americans the freedom to vote, whether they live here or abroad. A federal law passed nearly 40 years ago enshrined that right for military personnel and those living abroad,” said Witold Walczak, legal director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania. “Those living abroad permanently are entitled to vote in federal elections, like President and congressional offices. The place of residency is the last known U.S. address. The people who filed the approximately 3600 Pennsylvania challenges to overseas voters are either profoundly ignorant of longstanding law or intent on creating confusion and undermining trust in elections. Neither is acceptable, and these challenges should be summarily dismissed. We will fight for all eligible citizens to vote and have their votes counted.”
"Election deniers across Pennsylvania have submitted thousands of mass challenges to overseas voters because they want to block as many ballots as possible and silence our voices," said All Voting is Local Pennsylvania State Director Deborah Hinchey. "This is a clear strategy by conspiracy theorists across the Commonwealth to illegally invalidate thousands of votes and intimidate voters right before Election Day. But these baseless challenges have failed before and the proper checks and balances are in place to make sure they'll fail again."
"In Pennsylvania, we have a proud tradition of free and fair elections. We will not allow discredited election denier groups to suppress eligible voters and override the will of the people,” said Philip Hensley-Robin, executive director of Common Cause Pennsylvania. “Our democracy is strongest when every voice is heard and every vote is counted, including those of overseas voters. These unfounded challenges will be rejected by Boards of Elections and the courts. We urge any voter who is a recipient of such a challenge to immediately contact the nonpartisan voter protection hotline, 866-OUR-VOTE, for assistance.”
"In Pennsylvania, we stand firm in our belief that every eligible voter deserves a voice, including American citizens living abroad.” said Amy Widestrom, executive director of League of Women Voters Pennsylvania. “The recent mass challenges to overseas ballots represent either a deep misunderstanding of long-established law or an attempt to silence the voices of eligible American voters abroad who are simply exercising their right to vote. Our election system includes robust safeguards to ensure that only eligible voters can participate, no matter where they live. We trust the system and the professionalism of the dedicated workers who are enforcing these safeguards so all voices can be heard."
No matter where you’re currently living, being able to vote in the state you call home is a sacred right — and one that our laws overwhelmingly support. People move overseas for many reasons, and doing so should not preclude them from being able to cast their ballot in their home state. Pennsylvanians living abroad deserve to have their voices heard, just like any eligible voter from any other state. During this crucial time, we call upon all Pennsylvanians to stand firm against these voter suppression tactics. Attempts to intimidate thousands of eligible voters into silence threatens the integrity of our democracy. As we stand for the rights of every eligible voter, we affirm our commitment to free and fair elections, where every voice is heard and every vote is counted.
