A federal appeals court in Pennsylvania has ruled that discarding mail-in ballots solely because the voter did not write an accurate date on the return envelope is unconstitutional, marking a significant victory for voting rights advocates.

The ruling is a victory for voting rights groups and Democratic campaigns, while Republicans oppose it, citing concerns over election security and fraud prevention.

Republicans and election security advocates argue that the date requirement is essential for preventing voter fraud, though election officials state that missing or incorrect dates do not impact ballot validity.

Although the decision affects a small percentage of votes, it could influence close elections, especially in Pennsylvania, which often has narrow margins in statewide races and is a key battleground for the 2028 presidential election.

The Republican National Committee, which defended the date requirement, may appeal the ruling to higher courts, and they have joined counties opposing the decision, with potential plans to seek Supreme Court review.

The court's decision came just one day after the RNC's request to delay the ruling until after the 2025 elections was denied, ensuring the ruling's immediate effect.

This ruling has significant implications for upcoming elections, including the 2028 presidential race and congressional contests, given Pennsylvania's critical swing state status.

This case is part of broader political debates about mail-in voting, with former President Trump recently suggesting ending mail-in ballots over fraud concerns, and the ruling could influence future voting laws.

Previous rulings, including a March decision by U.S. District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter, found that the requirement infringed on voters' rights because it lacked a clear connection to legitimate state interests, and the recent ruling aligns with these views.

The court emphasized that the risk of voter disenfranchisement from errors like typographical mistakes is too significant to justify the requirement, which does not substantially aid election security.

Pennsylvania's mail-in ballot procedures have been heavily litigated, especially given the state's pivotal role in recent elections, highlighting ongoing tensions between election integrity and voters' rights.

The lawsuit challenging the date requirement was initiated by a voter whose 2022 ballot was rejected, supported by Democratic organizations, and only two counties defended the law.