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Pennsylvania Gov. Requests State Supreme Court to Consider Voting Case

"An expedited ruling will allow our counties to prepare their ballot boxes, or buy accessible voting systems, in time for the May 16 election"

Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell last week asked the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to quickly consider the commonwealth's appeal of a Commonwealth Court decision prohibiting Westmoreland County from buying new electronic voting machines (Mary Beth Kuznik, et al. v. Westmoreland County Board of Commissioners, et al., No. 18 M.D. 2006).

"Our jurists understand the importance of this case and it is good news that they have agreed to begin hearing the commonwealth's appeal next week," said Rendell. "An expedited ruling will allow our counties to prepare their ballot boxes, or buy accessible voting systems, in time for the May 16 election.

"Having the Supreme Court decision will avoid confusion at the polls and it may remove the cloud over counties that are anxious to follow federal law. It's important that Pennsylvanians know their vote has been counted. It's also important that they know every step has been taken to ensure the process has run smoothly, and with integrity."

The governor said a decision is needed from the court so all county boards of elections may work to meet requirements set by the federal Help America Vote Act, or HAVA.

Secretary of the Commonwealth Pedro A. Cort