Pro-Voter Coalition Responds to Illegal, Unfair Challenges to Overseas Voters in Pennsylvania

From November 3, 2024

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.

"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."

Click HERE to read the full press release.