Judge hears arguments on grant funds
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. -There is agreement there is nothing in state or federal law that preempts Pennsylvania cities and counties from accepting unregulated private grant money to help with the Nov. 3 election.
U.S. Middle District Judge Matthew W. Brann added he could not find any court decisions, either.
The judge heard two hours of arguments Friday on a motion by Republican conservative lawmakers for a restraining order to block the approximately $13 million received by the city of Philadelphia and Centre and Delaware counties.
The money is being used for such things as ballot drop boxes, mobile voting vehicles for the collection of mail-in ballots and staff.
Edward D. Rogers, who represented Delaware County, charged the Republicans filing suit want to make it harder for people to vote. He pointed out judges in three other states have rejected claims it is illegal to use unregulated private money to aid in the election.
Municipalities do not need private money for the electionbecause federal and state funds are available, argued Erick G. Kaardal, one of the plaintiffs’ lawyers.
Elections are a core part of government and should not be privately financed, he contended. It is in the public’s interest to stop the use of private money, he argued.
Judge Brann, who was chairman of the Bradford County Republican Committee before appointed to the bench by President Barack Obama, said he will issue his decision by midweek.
The Pennsylvania Voters Alliance,eight conservative Republican state House members and five individuals are trying to block the grants from the Center for Tech and Civil Life (CTCL) claiming they target entities with progressive voting records.
The defendants, which include Commonwealth Secretary Kathy Boockvar, point out that of the 18 entities in Pennsylvania that have received grants, President Donald Trump won 11 of them in 2016.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan are major contributors to the CTCL. The organization says it aims to ensure every eligible voter can participate in a safe election and have their vote counted.
The CTCL describes itself as a non-partisan organization backed by Democrats, Republicans and nonpartisan officials. The organization is making millions of dollars available nationwide to assist in voting during the coronavirus pandemic.
Allegheny County got a $2 million grant for the election from the organization.
Another argument of the plaintiffs for blocking the private funds is the possibility citizens would be denied representation if the election results were invalidated by a later ruling that they were illegal.
The defense responded a restraining order cannot be issued on the basis of speculation.