The Republican National Committee, along with assorted other Republican politicos and citizens, have filed suit against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania over its open statement indicating its zero intent to follow the law regarding admission of mail-in ballots not meeting the state’s own requirements for eligibility. From Townhall:

In a joint statement, RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, NRCC Chairman Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN), PAGOP Chairman Lawrence Tabas noted “as the Pennsylvania legislature and U.S. Supreme Court have made clear, undated mail-in ballots should not be counted” and pledged that “Republicans are holding Pennsylvania Democrats accountable for their brazen defiance of the Supreme Court and the rules duly set by the legislature.”

As noted by Kira Davis here at RedState when the Supreme Court made its decision in the case by not deciding, it told Pennsylvania to follow its existing laws regarding ballot acceptability, something it apparently can’t, or won’t, fathom. For its part, Pennsylvania can’t grasp the obvious.

Every county is expected to include undated ballots in their official returns for the Nov election, consistent with guidance & @CommCtofPA decision. Today’s order from SCOTUS vacating Third Circuit’s judgment on mootness grounds does not affect the prior decision of @CommCtofPA. pic.twitter.com/eDiYpvLZYV

— PA Department of State (@PAStateDept) October 11, 2022

And here we were thinking John Fetterman wasn’t in full control of his faculties. Must be a state-wide thing. But I digress.

Why this is such a difficult concept to grasp remains mysterious. The state’s website clearly spells out the law:

• November 1, 2022 at 5 p.m. – APPLICATIONS for a mail-in or absentee ballot must be received by your county election board.
• November 8, 2022 at 8 p.m. – VOTED BALLOTS must be RECEIVED by your county election office – postmarks are not enough.

Missed the deadline? If you have an emergency (such as an unexpected illness or disability or last-minute absence from your municipality) you may still be able to get a ballot after the deadline. Find information about how to get an emergency absentee ballot.

A little louder for the people in the back.

Return your voted ballot to the county election board. Absentee and Mail-in Ballots must be received by 8 pm on election day at your county election board. To ensure your ballot is received by the deadline, return the ballot as soon as possible.

1. You can mail your ballot.
   • Using the return envelope supplied with your ballot, make sure you use the proper postage (if needed) and that it arrives to your county election board by 8 pm on election day. Postmarks do not count. If your ballot is not received by the county election board by 8 pm on election day, it will not be counted
2. You can hand-deliver your ballot before 8 pm on election day to your:
   • county election office or
   • other officially designated site
   • Some counties are providing drop-boxes for mail ballots.

Got all that? If so, please let the Pennsylvania Department of State know what their own website states. If the mail-in ballot application isn’t received by 5:00 PM on Tuesday, November 1st, you don’t get a mail-in ballot. If the completed ballot is not received by 8:00 PM on Tuesday, November 8th, i.e., Election Day, you can’t count it. So why is the Pennsylvania Department of State unwilling to follow the law? Other than the obvious party affiliation.

That said, one wonders whether the lawsuit, assuming it gets a hearing before Election Day, will change anything even if adjudicated in the GOP’s favor. Unless people get jailed for breaking the law, Democrats will continue breaking and/or ignoring the law with impunity. Also, unless Republicans do something other than talk like they’re about to bust out the MMA, but when action takes place go for tiddlywinks, why should the Democrats care? Stop talking and do something about it. For once.