Times Chronicle & Public Spirit
Lawrence, Gale react to state election law ruling
Act 77 ruled unconstitutional by court; case is under appeal
NORRISTOWN » With less than three months until the 2022 primary election, Montgomery County’s top elected officials reacted to recent legal developments to state voting laws.
“Act 77 was passed by the Pennsylvania legislature in 2019,” said Montgomery County Commissioners’ Vice Chairman Ken Lawrence Jr. “This legislation provides for no excuse mail-in voting among other provisions.”
Lawrence, who also serves as chairman of the county’s election board, said in his opening comments during the Feb. 3 Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting, that the legislation was deemed unconstitutional on Jan. 28 in a ruling from the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court.
“This decision was appealed to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which means that Act 77 will remain in effect until this case is heard, and a decision is made by the Supreme Court,” Lawrence said. “The Department of State has advised all counties to prepare planning for the primary election under Act 77.”
Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Gale has been a vocal critic of the voting legislation passed by the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
“It’s well known that for well over two years, I’ve been talking about the unconstitutionality related to Act 77 and the way it was passed,” he said. “And that’s the reason why I’m the only county commissioner in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to oppose certifying the election results.”
Gale relayed his dissenting voting record on certifications in the 2020 and 2021 primary and general election cycles.
“Now that there’s been a ruling made by the Commonwealth Court, I hope this shows the state legislature the urgency to right this wrong, and make sure we have real election reform passed in Harrisburg that’s done the proper way and the legal way,” Gale said. “Act 77 has definitely torn apart the faith and confidence that the citizens in Pennsylvania have in the integrity of our elections, and I hope this is an example that moving forward we make this right.”
In the meantime, Lawrence noted several mailin voting procedures related to the May 17 primary election.
“We will still process applications for both absentee and mail-in ballots, and plan to issue ballots to approved applicants in April,” Lawrence said. “All voters who would like to vote by mail in 2022 need to complete an application even if they voted by mail in the past.”
Voters have until May 2 to register to vote, according to Pennsylvania Department of State’s Voting and Election Information website. Those interested in voting by mail have until May 10 to request a ballot and fill out an application.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on May 17 for anyone casting their ballot in person, according to the state’s election website.
For more information, visit montcopa.org, montcopa.org/votebymail or contact Montgomery County’s Office of Voter Services at 610278-3280.