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Pennsylvania

In August 2006, Voter Action filed a lawsuit in Pennsylvania seeking to halt the use of electronic voting machines in that state. In April of 2007, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania ruled in the voter plaintiffs’ favor, stating that voters have a right under the state’s constitution to a reliable and secure voting system, and can challenge the use of electronic voting machines “that provide no way for electors to know whether their votes will be recognized” through voter verification or an independent audit. This is a landmark decision in the process of reclaiming public control of our public elections; it distinctly endorses the right of the public to participate in, seek information from and demand necessary recourse throughout our nation’s election processes. In response to this ruling, the Pennsylvania Secretary of State filed a petition before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court seeking to appeal the decision. In December 2008, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court denied the Secretary of State's appeal and allowed the case to move forward.Voter Action is working with co-counsel in preparation for trial in this case for April 2011.

Click here for information about litigation we pursued for emergency paper ballots in light of data collected during election monitoring work in the Pennsylvania presidential primary through the Watch the Vote Program.

Recent News

  • FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Hotlines Bustling With Calls

    Voters Facing Long Lines; Registration Issues Top Concern

    Voter hotlines are buzzing today, with most polls being open less than five hours. Data from InfoVoter Technologies show that callers have serious concerns about registration problems and machine failures resulting in long lines at many polling places.

    Today, the 1-866-MY-VOTE-1 and CNN hotlines have received a total of more than 16,000 calls; close to 3,000 in the last hour.

    Voter Action is concerned about several states, including VA, PA, and FL.

    “Ensuring that voters have access to the ballot box in a timely manner, and that their votes are counted is our number one goal today,” said John Bonifaz, legal director, Voter Action. “We are really concerned about the number and kinds of calls coming in from key states, like Pennsylvania, Virginia and Florida.”

  • Judge says Pa. must provide paper ballots

    By Cynthia Henry, Philadelphia Inquirer
    A federal judge yesterday ordered Pennsylvania election officials to issue emergency paper ballots if 50 percent or more of any precinct's machines fail at any one time on Election Day.

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Pennsylvania Legal Action

Banfield v. Cortés

In August 2006, a group of Pennsylvania voters filed a lawsuit in Pennsylvania state court challenging the use of electronic voting machines on the grounds that it violated the state election code and the state constitution’s guarantee of the right to vote.  More >>