Happy Election Day Pennsylvania! Remember to thank your local poll workers. They are the true champions of democracy. And get out and vote!

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Top Story

1. What You Need To Know Before Going To The Polls

“It’s here – Election Day in Pennsylvania.

It is hard not to already know that, given the Keystone State’s purple-ness and the attention that our Commonwealth has received not only throughout the country, but around the world.

So now it is up to us – fair citizens of the state – to make our choice. Here’s what you need to know as you head out to your polling place.” (PoliticsPA)

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Mail Ballots

2. Legal Fight Explodes Over Mail Ballots in Pennsylvania

“On the eve of Election Day, a legal battle has erupted in one of the most closely watched battleground states of the 2022 midterms.

Democrats filed a lawsuit Monday demanding that undated or incorrectly dated mail-in ballots be counted in Pennsylvania’s election, which could end up determining which party controls the Senate.

The lawsuit, filed in part by Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman’s campaign, argues that a provision in state law requiring mail-in ballots include the date on the outside of the envelope is a violation of federal law. The suit names the state’s 67 county boards of election as defendants.” (NBC News)

Related

State: Call Your Election Office If You Think Your Mail-In Ballot Has Technical Errors. “The Pennsylvania Department of State is urging mail-in voters to be proactive if they think they returned ballots with technical mistakes such as missing dates that would void their votes.” (Armchair Lehigh Valley)

Comcast CEO Brian Roberts and Former Councilmember Derek Green Are Among Voters Who Submitted Flawed Mail Ballots. “The Philadelphia voters who submitted flawed mail ballots include the CEO of Comcast, a former City Council member now running for mayor, and a high-profile lawyer who last year ran for district attorney.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

John Fetterman’s Campaign Is Suing To Have Undated And Misdated Ballots Counted. “The Democratic campaign sued Pennsylvania elections officials Monday asking a federal judge to order that all mail ballots be counted regardless of what date, if any, voters wrote on the outside of the envelope.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Pennsylvanians Scurry To Fix Mail-In Ballots After Ruling. “Some of Pennsylvania’s largest counties scrambled Monday to help voters fix mail-in ballots that have fatal flaws such as incorrect dates or missing signatures on the envelopes used to send them in, bringing about confusion and legal challenges in the battleground state on the eve of the election.” (AP)

York County Won’t Allow ‘Curing’ Of Mail-In Ballots, Plans Hand Count. “York County elections officials plan to hand count ballots cast at three random precincts on Thursday, a process that will be in addition to the standard electronic tabulation on Tuesday night after votes are cast in the hotly contested midterm election.” (York Dispatch)

• Election Officials Concerned About Uncertainty With Mail-In Ballots. (Observer-Reporter)
• Lancaster County Stands By Decision Over ‘Curing’ Ballots Ahead Of Election Day. (LNP | Lancaster Online)
• Beaver County Identifies Mail-In Voters With Undated Ballots. (Beaver County Times)
• Erie County Elections Board OKs Curing Of Undated Mail Ballots. (Erie News-Times)

State

3. Power Balance In Congress On Ballot For PA Voters

“Three races among Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation have taken shape as some of the closer contests in the country this year as voters decide whether to shift majority control in the U.S. House from Democrats to Republicans.” (Washington Post)

Related

PA Takes Center Stage In Political World On Election Day. “As millions of Pennsylvania voters head to the polls on Tuesday, the eyes of the nation will be trained on Pennsylvania.” (PennLive)

Former Governors Call On Shapiro, Mastriano To Accept Results. “In a show of unity, Pennsylvania’s four living former governors called on Democrat Josh Shapiro and Republican Doug Mastriano to accept the results and outcome of Tuesday’s election regardless of the victor.” (PoliticsPA)

How Disputes Over Vote Certification Could Play Out In PA Counties After 2022 Election. “When polls close at 8pm on Election Day, a nearly three-week process to finalize and certify results will begin, a period in which candidates could lodge objections to certain votes and spark protracted legal fights that would draw out a normally routine process.” (VoteBeat)

Exodus Of Incumbents Brings Change To State Legislatures. “More than one-quarter of state lawmakers whose seats are up for election across the U.S. are guaranteed to be gone from office next year — a statistic certain to grow when the votes are counted from the November general election.” (AP)

Around The Commonwealth

HD 109: Ed Giannattasio Passes Away Day Before Election. “The Democratic candidate for the state House in the 109th District – Ed Giannattasio – passed away on Monday. He was 64.” (PoliticsPA)

PA-12: Can Lee Make History? “Summer Lee, the Democratic candidate for the 12th Congressional District seat in the U.S. House, hopes to add her name to a historic list of women who have served in Washington.” (PoliticsPA)

We’re Number One. Open Secrets tallied up the five most expensive Senate races in the country, totaling money spent by candidates and outside groups. The winner – Pennsylvania at $312 million. Georgia was a beaten second at just $254M. (Open Secrets)

PA-12: AIPAC, Progressives Clash In PA House Race. “Progressives are agitated by a pro-Israel super PAC’s late involvement in a Pennsylvania race that’s poised to send a new “squad” member to Congress.” (The Hill)

Chapman Expresses Confidence In Local Election Officials Ahead Of Election Day. “Less than 24 hours before polls are set to open on Election Day, Pennsylvania’s top election official said that voters should feel “confident” about heading to the polls on Tuesday.” (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

Judge Rules Philadelphia Shouldn’t Be Forced To Change Its Vote-Counting Plan For Nov. 8 Election, But The Case Isn’t Over. “It revolves around the city’s commissioners’ plan to discontinue a time-consuming procedure they previously used to catch people who vote both by mail and in person. The commissioners, who administer Philadelphia’s elections, argue it’s duplicative of other effective measures.” (Spotlight PA)

Young Changemakers Looking To Draw More Gen Z’ers Into Politics, And To The Polls. “A group of young changemakers are working hard to draw more Gen Z’ers into local politics, and to the polls. But in serving the interests of their country in the political field, they’re doing it behind the scenes instead of in a public-facing role.” (LehighValleyNews)

Opinion

• Candidates, And The Public, Must Be Patient With Vote Count. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• On Tuesday, Don’t Forget To Thank The Election Workers Who Make Democracy Possible. (Ken Davis and Ari Mittelman)
• We Should Stop Asking Too Much Of Polling Data. (Jeff Dominitz and Charles F. Manski)
• Do Your Part And Cast Your Ballot. (Tribune-Review)
• Exercise Your Civic Duty, Vote. (Altoona Mirror)
• Pennsylvania’s Demographics Are Changing Faster Than Its Politics. (Francis Wilkinson)
• Be Prepared To Cast Thoughtful Vote Today. (Reading Eagle)