Trump praises Pennsylvania ruling against mail-in voting: 'Big news'
A Pennsylvania state law allowing any voter to cast their ballot by mail was struck down on Friday, "handing a victory to Republican lawmakers who sought to curtail the practice amid former President Donald Trump's attacks on mail voting," reports The Philadelphia Inquirer and Politico.
"Big news out of Pennsylvania, great patriotic spirit is developing at a level that nobody thought possible," Trump wrote online after the news broke.
The law, known as Act 77 and passed by state Gov. Tom Wolf (D) in 2019, allowed for "no-excuse absentee voting," among other things, writes The New York Times. In its 3-2 decision on Friday, the Republican-leaning state court ruled the legislature "could not make changes to voting laws without amending the constitution," per the Times.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Though the bipartisan 2019 law was heralded when it was passed, "it became a target of conservatives during the 2020 election."
The battle will continue, however — the decision will almost certainly be appealed to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, notes the Inquirer, "triggering an automatic stay of that decision and leaving Act 77 in place while the high court considers the case."
"This opinion is based on twisted logic and faulty reasoning, and is wrong on the law," said state Attorney General Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, per Politico. "The issue will now go before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and we are confident that Act 77 will ultimately be upheld as constitutional."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Today's political cartoons - February 1, 2025
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - broken eggs, contagious lies, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 humorously unhealthy cartoons about RFK Jr.
Cartoons Artists take on medical innovation, disease spreading, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Brodet (fish stew) recipe
The Week Recommends This hearty dish is best accompanied by a bowl of polenta
By The Week UK Published
-
What is 'impoundment' and how does it work?
The Explainer The Trump administration grabbed at the 'power of the purse' in Congress, using a little-known executive action that could have massive implications for the future
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Extremists embrace Musk's salute as Tesla investors fret
IN THE SPOTLIGHT The tech titan insists his Nazi-reminiscent gesture had nothing to do with fascism, even as white nationalists rally around the fascistic salute.
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump says 25% tariffs on Canada, Mexico start Feb. 1
Speed Read The tariffs imposed on America's neighbors could drive up US prices and invite retaliation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump blames diversity, Democrats for DC air tragedy
Speed Read The president suggested that efforts to recruit more diverse air traffic controllers contributed to the deadly air crash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
What's the future of FEMA under Trump?
Today's Big Question The president has lambasted the agency and previously floated disbanding it altogether
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
White House withdraws Trump's spending freeze
Speed Read President Donald Trump's budget office has rescinded a directive that froze trillions of dollars in federal aid and sowed bipartisan chaos
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Born this way
Opinion 'Born here, citizen here' is the essence of Americanism
By Mark Gimein Published
-
Charles Grassley: the senator in charge of Trump's legal agenda
In the Spotlight The Senate Judiciary Committee chairman in charge of Trump's legal agenda
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published