Judge orders extension of early voting option in Bucks County after Trump campaign lawsuit
Bucks County voters now have extra days to apply for mail-in or absentee ballots
A judge sided with the Trump-Vance campaign and ordered an extended deadline for voters in Bucks County to request their ballots after a surge of voters stood in long lines Tuesday and claim they were turned away before the 5 p.m. deadline.
BUCKS COUNTY, Pa. - A Pennsylvania judge on Wednesday sided with Donald Trump's campaign and agreed to extend an in-person voting option in Bucks County where long lines on the final day led to complaints voters were being disenfranchised by an unprepared election office.
Judge Jeffrey Trauger said in a one-page order that Bucks County voters who want to apply for an early mail ballot now have until Friday.
The Trump campaign's lawsuit, which was filed Wednesday morning, comes amid a flurry of litigation and complaints over voting in a battleground state that is expected to play a central role in helping select the next president in 2024's election.
The lawsuit sought a one-day extension, through Wednesday at 5 p.m., for voters to apply in-person for a mail-in ballot. The judge's order permits applications through the close of business on Friday.
The Trump campaign lawsuit said people who were in line by Tuesday's 5 p.m. deadline to apply in-person for a mail ballot should have been allowed to get a ballot, even after the deadline. However, Bucks County's election office denied voters that right and ordered them to leave, the lawsuit said.
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"This is a direct violation of Pennsylvanians’ rights to cast their ballot — and all voters have a right to STAY in line," the Trump campaign said in a statement.
The Republican National Committee and the campaign of Republican Senate nominee David McCormick joined the lawsuit against Bucks County, where Democrats control the government in a closely politically divided county often seen as a political bellwether.
Gov. Josh Shapiro's administration had urged counties to allow every voter who was in line by the 5 p.m. deadline to submit a mail-in ballot application. Responding to criticism and misinformation on social media Tuesday, Bucks County had said every voter in line by 5 p.m. Tuesday would be allowed to apply for a mail ballot.
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Within minutes of the judge's ruling Wednesday afternoon, voters started showing up at the Bucks County Elections Center in Doylestown. The office re-opened to those wanting to request and receive their mail-in ballots.
"We were here way before 5 o’clock and they told us we had to leave" said Kathy Edwards of Bedminster.
Edwards and her husband were among the throngs of voters who showed up early and waited in hours-long lines Tuesday for the 5 p.m. cut off for "on-demand" voting.
FOX 29 was there Tuesday afternoon when law enforcement shut down theline more than two hours before the deadline. Edwards says once they got to the front door they were turned away.
"It was just disorganized. Some people weren’t saying anything and some were. One police officer was very upset" said Edwards.
"What happened yesterday should have never happened. It’s really awful. But they fixed it." said Jessica Blackburn of Furlong.
The one-page ruling from Common Pleas Court Judge Jeffery Trauger says Bucks County violated Pennsylvania Election Code when they turned away voters. Elections officials told us Tuesday that staffing was the main issue. Voters showing up Wednesday say it was the right decision.
"I saw the lines going out the door and around the block the past few days and people standing in line for hours and hours. I couldn’t make that time commitment so I saw this and thought I could beat the line and was in and out in 20 minutes" said Alex Bentrin of New Britain.
"My mom is currently in hospice. So I wasn’t sure where I was going to be able to be on Tuesday. I haven’t been able to get there the few days before. So I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to get it done" added Lynn Quinn.
In a statement, Bucks County elections officials say they will comply with the courts ruling. They thanked the elections staff for their professionalism and we asked voters to extend to them "consideration, understanding and kindness" heading into Election Day.
One resident warned voters not to miss another deadline.
"They could have gotten it done early. Come on, stop procrastinating. Not to sound horrible. But there’s a deadline. Get it done" said Kay Rockafellow of Doylestown.
Bucks County voters who still want to request mail in ballot you must bring a photo ID to the Elections Service Center Thursday or Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The early voting angst in Bucks County is the latest dustup over voting in Pennsylvania, which has the largest trove of electoral votes of any battleground state and is by far the state most visited by the Democratic and Republican presidential tickets this year. The runup to Election Day in the state has been marked by numerous battles over mail ballots, some landing on the doorstep of the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.