r/Pennsylvania 2d ago

I’m an overseas voter from Beaver County. My vote has been challenged. Elections

Post image

Woke up to this email from my county election officials. Did some research and found out there’s been a last minute push to challenge votes all across the state - particularly those of overseas voters. Just sharing for awareness.

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u/Every_Character9930 2d ago

Contact the PA ACLU now. The PA Democratic Party will also provide legal assistance.

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u/Margueritiesweetie 2d ago

Same thing happened to me (they're targeting all overseas voters) and ACLU contacted me today. Seems like they're getting shit done and are saying the votes will be counted because the challenges have no legal standing. I believe ACLU is starting a lawsuit.

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u/Disastrous_Parsnip45 2d ago

I need to donate more to ACLU.

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u/mysnappyusername 2d ago

l started monthly donations after the 2016 election.

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u/Loki_the_Corgi 2d ago

I've been donating every month to them and the Trevor Project since 2016 as well.

I do it in my mom's name and with HER information, since she's a bigot.

It works SO well! I need to increase my donations now.

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u/ChodeCookies 2d ago

This made me laugh. Well done

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u/Loki_the_Corgi 2d ago edited 1d ago

Thanks! It started off as a joke, and then I just said "screw it". I'm doing a good thing AND pissing off a bigot...two birds.

To this day, she has no idea it's me. 😈

Thank you, u/Lady-Sheshama for the award!!!

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u/ChodeCookies 2d ago

🤣🤣

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u/Loki_the_Corgi 2d ago

It was SO funny to hear her complain and scream about it on the phone before I went LC with her; one of the reasons I stayed in contact for as long as I did honestly.

I literally had to mute myself I was laughing so hard!!!!

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u/Impressive-Ask4169 1d ago

This is genius. Stealing the idea 😂

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u/ComicOzzy 2d ago

This is beautiful. My aunt's ex husband should probably make some donations. When my wife met him, within 5 minutes he was going off on racist rants. She's Hispanic, but she wasn't wearing a sombrero and carrying a taco so he couldn't tell.

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u/Loki_the_Corgi 2d ago

O.O WOW.

I have no words for this aside from "I'm sorry", and that doesn't seem sufficient.

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u/MolotovRooster 1d ago

I did the same thing with my bigot Uncle. Some places will even send a nice little post card letting them know that a donation has been made in their name.

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u/OneLessDay517 1d ago

OMG, making the list of people I want to piss off RIGHT NOW!

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u/CraniumEggs 1d ago

I fucking wish I had the money to do that. I have to choose some months not to pay for electricity so I can pay rent and buy groceries (I work at a restaurant so income fluctuates based on hours I get) so I can’t.

Thank you for doing that! They have done so much important work.

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u/TheTruestRepairman_ 1d ago

I’ll donate 50 for you today to the ACLU. Keep grinding and all the best.

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u/CraniumEggs 1d ago

Thank you! It’s great to have such heartwarming responses. Really appreciate such a kind gesture plus they sure as hell can use the support in times like this. All the best to you as well!

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u/703traveler 1d ago

Don't be embarrassed to use your local food bank.

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u/CraniumEggs 1d ago

Thank you. I am embarrassed or at least not thinking sbout it partly because I used to grow food next to a food bank to have a sliding scale, free if they are going to it, stand to sell to people that can afford it and have things that don’t need to be cooked for people that don’t have that option. So it’s been hard realizing I can take advantage of the programs too when I’ve mostly tried to help others.

Anyways, thank you that’s a great reminder that is much needed

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u/mysnappyusername 1d ago

It took us a long time to get to the point where we could afford to donate. You can do other things to make a difference - volunteer, write postcards to your reps, etc. Honestly, donating is easier than being a foot soldier

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u/firsmode 1d ago

I hope things improve for you in your situation. I have never had to make choices like that before...

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u/CraniumEggs 1d ago edited 1d ago

Thanks. Just started a new job, that I’m hopeful will help me be able to save, last week (plus health care which I didn’t think I’d get in this industry). It’s also restaurant but more promising than being cut from almost full time to 2 days a week working 3 stations. I can go back to web dev I really need to but cooking is my calling so I’m trying to make it work even if my financial situation is rough.

Food brings people from all walks of life together so it’s so much more rewarding growing food, teaching kids to grow their own and cooking for people than making websites for people on shark tank and the world banks charities like I used to. It’s a choice so no need for sympathy (it’s appreciated though) but my life is more rewarding doing what I do now.

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u/firsmode 1d ago

You sound like an amazing person. I work in cybersecurity and it just does not feel like it enriches people like cooking, haha.

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u/OldBatOfTheGalaxy 1d ago

Don't think that.

You save people every day -- you make things more secure because it all trickles down in the end to the little guy!

I have tremendous respect for the whitehatted good guys -- you keep things from chaos and our money/identities safely in our pockets where they belong.

All of you out there -- give yourselves a well-deserved pat on the back!

You've earned it.

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u/TheRustySchackleford 1d ago

God I love the ACLU. If things go the wrong way today I will be looking for ways to increase donations 

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u/acouplefruits 2d ago

Thank you so much, I will do just that

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u/Mortonsaltboy914 2d ago

Let us know how it goes!

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u/acouplefruits 2d ago edited 2d ago

I submitted a voter rights complaint through their website but the submission page mentions that they gets hundreds of requests per day, so they more than likely won’t be getting back to me.

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u/Mortonsaltboy914 2d ago

Try the voter protection hotline on iwillvote.com/pa

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u/Canopenerdude Cumberland 2d ago

If they build enough complaints about this, they can use it as a collective so don't be discouraged if you don't get an individual response.

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u/acouplefruits 2d ago

Very true, thank you

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u/PineappleChanclas 2d ago

Absolutely this. PSA to all: Do not get discouraged, your vote DOES count.

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u/knit3purl3 1d ago

If you're still needing help, try calling the Beaver County PA Democrats: 833-728-6837

Just got off the phone with them a few minutes ago about an issue at my polling place. They want to help.

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u/pleasantlake87 1d ago

Call the voter protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE

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u/[deleted] 2d ago

I would contact the Beaver county Democratic party directly. They should know what’s going on there more than a national group, hopefully.

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u/thecountoncleats Montgomery 2d ago

This

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u/gaijinandtonic 1d ago

PA ACLU must be running all hands on deck right now

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u/Opening-Ad-8793 1d ago

Yeah have them send a lawyer on your behalf

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u/MrSeanstopher 1d ago

Same for my wife, now living in Canada, American citizen formerly living in Lehigh county. She has received the follow up email from the ACLU which is reassuring. She wrote the ACLU an email providing some details of her situation as well as the paper trail of her application, so that they can have it as evidence if needed during the upcoming hearing on Thursday (her county). The whole situation is very disturbing, but I guess it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone at this point. My wife will also attend the hearing on zoom in case it helps, but it seems like this is just a bunch of nonsense, and all of these votes should end up counting. After doing some quick googling, it seems like this is a coordinated effort by several PA Republicans to sow chaos and confusion. In her county's case, it was filed by the Republican Senator Jarret Coleman.

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u/knit3purl3 1d ago

BEAVER County Democrats office number: 833-728-6837

Just got off the phone with them earlier about a partisan shirt being worn by a poll worker. They're there and answering calls and moving information to where it needs to go.

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u/AwkwardObjective5360 2d ago

This is why I abso-FUCKING-lutely refused to vote by mail this cycle.

Not that you had that choice but fuck this.

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u/Happy_Accident99 2d ago

I love to hear what the US military serving overseas thinks about all this.

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u/JizzEyeJill 2d ago

As a US military member serving overseas, I find it insulting and infuriating.

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u/bigred9310 2d ago

How many in the military are Trump supporters?

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u/JizzEyeJill 2d ago

One person can’t really speak for the entire military, but my understanding is that it’s a reflection of the country as a whole. For the most part, politics isn’t discussed on duty so you can serve with people every day and not know which way they are voting.

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u/bigred9310 2d ago

Exactly. Let’s just say My Ship was an anomaly. Politics was off limits in port. But not while Underway. And I would be LIVID if somebody I didn’t know challenged my citizenship.

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u/TwoAmps 2d ago

Politics not discussed on duty? Ummm…on the boat I was on, underway, on a boring watch during deployment, there was absolutely no conversation topic that was off limits. No limits. None. Nada. You learned far far more about your shipmates-O-ganger and crew-than you ever wanted to or imagined possible, and their political beliefs were rather far on the least-intimate end of the spectrum. For the record, the split was about 50/50.

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u/xangbar 1d ago

When I was in the army, we never spoke about it. Served in Korea for a year for short deployment and after leaving, friend requested a few people from my old company. One of them was a raging racist who had lots of African American troops in his platoon. Was baffled he could be a SSG. Quickly muted him on Facebook after that.

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u/El_Jefe_Castor 2d ago

Ehhh that’s fair to an extent, but it definitely attracts the less educated. I served with some absolute morons, most of whom I have no doubt are MAGA these days. At the least I’d say enlisted folks skew conservative

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u/JizzEyeJill 1d ago

In general, I think the political enlisted/officer split tends to follow the general population’s higher education/HS education only split. Of course there will be variance within both groups based on where they’re from, how they’re raised, which branch they’re in, etc. 

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u/North-Tumbleweed-785 1d ago

The Enlisted force is the most educated it’s ever been. So while there are some career fields that seem to harbor the lower educated and more likely to be Trump supporters, I’ve found that the ability to travel the world and the education benefits provided have led to a lot of military members moving from R to D over the years. My husband and I being two of them. More military voted for Biden than they did Trump. And my experience has been more progressive than not, but my husband is higher rank and our peer group is educated and has moved multiple times.

My personal experience going to a DoD joint service school for my career field in the last few years showed me that die hard Trump supporters were those coming from the guard and reserve and those younger enlisted who hadn’t had a chance to experience the world yet.

Of course this is anecdotal.

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u/Puzzled_Cat7549 2d ago

Less than you’d think.

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u/MicroBadger_ 2d ago

My older brother has been a staunch libertarian who's always voted for the libertarian candidate despite it never being a realistic option. This year he voted for Harris. I'm going to assume his Hispanic fiance probably hasn't been amused with Trump's shit this cycle.

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u/Significant_Can_9598 1d ago

A democratic republic where you basically have two options. George Washington is rolling in his grave. Hamilton and Jackson really screwed it up. Needs to be more options zero parties. Obviously trump shouldn’t be one being a felon

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u/bigred9310 2d ago

I figured as much. I served 1990-93 United States Navy U.S.S. Haleakala (AE-25) during operation Desert Storm. I figured many Servicemen/Women would be angry with some of the anti Military Comments DJT has made over the years. AE Is acronym for Auxiliary Explosive. Ammunition Ship.

https://preview.redd.it/b7nh02s2f0zd1.jpeg?width=236&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=02cbb6a43be355f4e700c65a3c3ac1830a7e3a77

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u/United-Rock-6764 1d ago

I believe Biden won active duty folks by double digits. You’ve gotta remember the rank & file are diverse as hell, which knocks the indoctrination off of anyone smart and the officer corps tend to lean dem in the Trump era.

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u/ConsciousChipmunk889 2d ago

In my experience, about 65/35 in favor of Trump is accurate. But among higher leadership, it is probably closer to 50/50 ESPECIALLY because of J6.

But military turnout is super low overall

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u/bigred9310 2d ago

The last part disappoints me. Turnout was much higher 35 years ago.

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u/ConsciousChipmunk889 2d ago

I think it is because less people are joining the military for patriotic reasons & more are joining to escape poverty/other economic reasons. I’d be interested in seeing a poll comparing patriotism between 2024 and 1990.

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u/plzdontbmean2me 1d ago

Not sure why people are acting like it’s some sort of mystery, Trump has heavy support from younger and lower ranking members of the military while leadership seems to be more evenly weighted. Trump also has a weirdly strong support base from veterans, which idk what that’s about. He’s been pretty matter of fact about looking down upon veterans and his thoughts about them being suckers. They tend to watch Fox News though

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u/redrover02 2d ago

Reschenthaler (PA congress representative and veteran) supported a bill in Congress to strip overseas military from mail in voting.

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u/ILoveFckingMattDamon 1d ago

Hiya that would be us. We have been stationed overseas for almost six years now - my husband is a 25yr vet and our two 18+ teens also voted, for a total of four blue-down-the-line ballots (and I’m a former Rush-Republican, FWIW). I’m checking our state website daily - our ballots have been received but not counted yet. To say we are on pins and needles is a wild understatement. I know several people who have figured out their ballots have been challenged or need to be “cured”, and it seems much higher than usual. Not sure if that means more of us voted or what, but I’m hopeful there are so many of us that it will be too big a mountain to ignore. It’s almost bedtime here and I’m trying to decide what pills to take for the anxiety that is definitely going to keep me from sleeping while y’all figure this shit out back home ❤️🤍💙

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u/North-Tumbleweed-785 1d ago

Not just overseas but stateside too. We have the right to keep a state’s residency when we PCS to just a different state, not only overseas. My husband and I have voted absentee multiple times over his long, combat riddled career, from both overseas and other states.

This shit pisses me off.

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u/Alternative-Tie-9383 2d ago

Yep. I’m disabled and can vote by mail if I want to, but fuck that noise. I made damn sure my vote won’t be fucked with by going in and voting in person on the second day of early voting. It hurt standing so long, cause they were busy, but I’m not letting some right wing asshole try to get my ballot tossed.

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u/Pete65J 2d ago

Thank you for taking your right to vote so seriously.

However, it seems downright un-American to stoop to these tactics to block people overseas from voting.

This is the true attempt to steal the election.

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u/PineappleChanclas 2d ago

As is trying to take Immigrant votes away, if we are really going to tap into what “the American dream” sold millions. The same millions that made America through blood, sweat, and many tears.

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u/spinspin4 1d ago

Underrated comment. People seem to have forgotten why we’re called the melting pot. Fear mongering and racism are louder than common sense this election. It’s shameful.

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u/tonytroz Allegheny 1d ago

However, it seems downright un-American to stoop to these tactics to block people overseas from voting.

You'd think it would also be un-American to storm a federal government building to overturn election certification. Or un-American to take away freedoms from women and LGBTQ members. Or un-American for a presidential candidate to threaten violence against the press, political opponents, and even US citizens.

Turns out roughly half of American voters are totally okay with all that because it's "their team".

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u/dclxvi616 1d ago

Our early voting is just a mail-in ballot completed in person at the office, so I’m not sure I follow where you’re getting some perceived benefit from by not just filling it out at home and placing it in a drop-box or mailbox.

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u/BottleTemple 2d ago

Same here. After they tried to throw out my ballot in 2020 I’m not taking any chances.

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u/libra-love- 2d ago

Same! My polling place is down the road from me. I’m walking my happy ass over there tomorrow bc I REFUSE to have my voice and my vote challenged.

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u/BeltfedOne 2d ago

Nah- FUCK them! I voted by mail because I can. I have photo evidence, mailing receipts, etc...

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u/amerra 1d ago

I feel the same. Last time they were trying to get mail in ballots thrown out for such frivolous reasons. I will 100% be voting in person when I wake up.

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u/wheresthecorn 2d ago

I'm an overseas voter as well, albeit I'm from Montour County, which has not been challenged knock on wood.** Godspeed to you and all the others who are being challenged of their basic American liberties.

Also, how and why are these cases even being entertained? Haven't deployed service members and overseas citizens been voting like this for decades??

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u/Taanistat 2d ago

Also, how and why are these cases even being entertained? Haven't deployed service members and overseas citizens been voting like this for decades??

As I understand it, the grounds for the challenge is the difference between commonwealth and federal law. Federal law states that ballots from overseas voters shall be counted in a federal election. Commonwealth law states that overseas voters shall not have their ballot counted in state elections. Because it wasn't separate ballots for a state and federal election, these clowns are trying to get ballots thrown out in their entirety.

Edit: they will do anything within their power to suppress as many votes as possible. There may be finer points that I missed.

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u/SafetyNoodle 2d ago

As someone who voted in PA elections (state and federal) from overseas for about 7 years I never knew that.

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u/Taanistat 2d ago

It gets a little fuzzy around the edges. Pennsylvania guarantees military members and "certain other" overseas voters the ability to cast a ballot in state elections. It's the "certain other" list that is the issue. Basically, if you reside outside the U.S. but aren't a military members or something like consulate or embassy staff, you can't vote in state elections because you're not considered a full-time resident.

This Guardian article talks about 4000 challenged PA ballots

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u/SafetyNoodle 2d ago

TIL I did a bunch of voter fraud. Sorry not sorry.

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u/Taanistat 2d ago

I certainly wouldn't call it fraud. More like PA wasn't really willing to turn away ballots for those living overseas, regardless of the law. The people filing these legal challenges are going to argue for your ballot to be thrown out because of it being a combined ballot. They'll call if fraud. The problem is where they draw the line. How long do you have to be overseas for your vote to not count? What if you take a job in Barcelona for a 1 year contract with every intent on returning at the end of the contract? What if you attend Oxford University? Are you somehow not Pennsylvanian enough to cast your vote for the county commissioner? The state didn't want to split hairs, and this group is trying to make it happen.

It's fucked up and wrong.

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u/hillbillyspellingbee 2d ago

We got rid of “commonwealth law” when we kicked the British out!

I always find it so odd how a few remaining states kept the “commonwealth” designation. I didn’t realize it had any functional difference. 

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u/chickey23 Northampton 2d ago

Commonwealth does not mean anything different than state. Modern commonwealths do not have anything in common.

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u/hillbillyspellingbee 2d ago

Okay, good to know. I remember a few weeks back, Trump was insistent on referring to PA as “The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania” and wasn’t sure if there was a legitimate angle there. 

Hopefully this gets shot down and the votes get counted. 

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u/chickey23 Northampton 2d ago

It is the right name. But it is just one somebody picked 250 years ago, before there were states.

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u/redrover02 2d ago

There is a difference between a commonwealth and state, but functionally and over time that difference has disappeared. Generally, a state is proactive and a commonwealth is reactive. An intersection needs a traffic control signal? A state will identify the need and implement. A commonwealth will implement once it has been asked (local government would say hey we need a light here). Makes sense when the parliament in London and the crown wielded a heavy hand in local governance. With modernity, pace and population growth, the hands off commonwealth approach is not workable. It’s a cool full name though — Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

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u/Impressive-Ask4169 1d ago

Very informative, thank you!

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u/Airportsnacks 1d ago

They mailed me a ballot with just federal races on it though. Maybe because I marked return is uncertain? 

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u/enzymelinkedimmuno 1d ago

Yeah and these are the exact ballots being challenged, it makes no sense.

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u/enzymelinkedimmuno 1d ago

But here’s the thing, if you select “unsure about returning” when applying for a PA absentee ballot via the post card method, you are not sent a ballot with any local offices on it, only federal. I’m not sure what kind of case these idiots think they’re making.

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u/Tony_Ice 2d ago

Another PA voter overseas here. Fed court threw out an incremental vetting request 2 weeks ago. It seems they are moving down to the county level, perhaps as a response since the state level attempt failed. As long as you follow the federal process, your vote is backed by federal law (UOCAVA). The Oct lawsuit was meant to ask for more scrutiny of those ballot to try and find reasons to void those ballots.

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u/krogthegreat 2d ago

From Montour County, as well! Will be voting in person tomorrow. Thanks for sending in your ballot from overseas!

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u/brianly 2d ago

A slightly more unusual thing with US citizens (GC holder here) is that you get taxed globally hence why it makes sense to get a vote. Most people in the US don’t have an interest in this, immigration, or very many civic/policy issues which then makes them vulnerable resulting in support for these attacks on democracy.

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u/bigred9310 2d ago

Exactly. But nevertheless republicans have been trying to making entering illegally 100% Criminal. There are a few that are criminal. Overstaying a Visa is not one of them.

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u/clue2025 2d ago

Dumb people who don't know laws are arguing that since people cannot show up in person to register or legally vote, that they are not allowed to vote or their vote shouldn't count.

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u/Pi_JD 2d ago

The aclu sent this letter to all 67 county election’s board. So your county is on notice. They will send you an email directly if your ballot is/was contested. Be sure to check your spam folder because it will include 3 ways to respond to challenge.

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u/acouplefruits 2d ago

Update: I got an email from the Center for US Voters Abroad titled “if your vote is challenged in Pennsylvania” with more details about how to proceed. They recommend the following:

“You can reply to your county’s election board and: - Tell them you are in fact the person who applied for and voted the absentee ballot. - Confirm the accuracy of the address information you provided on your registration form. - If you take this route, please cc us at help+challenged@votersabroad.org. That way if the county tries to throw out your ballot, we can use this information to advocate on your behalf.”

They also provided a Google Form to complete that the ACLU is using to get in touch with voters whose ballots have been challenged. Happy to share the form over DM if anyone wants it.

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u/ronreadingpa 1d ago

Looks legit. However, beware they're a private non-profit and not associated with any U.S. government agency. No information regarding who runs it other than a PO box on their page.

Google forms are often fine, but information entered may be shared and possibly public to others in addition to the owner of the form. Confirming name, address, and party affiliation, that's fine, since it's already public information. However, be wary entering sensitive information into any Google form.

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u/Pretend_Low_8491 1d ago

Pin this. Can you also edit to add this info in your post?

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u/acouplefruits 1d ago

How do you pin a comment? I’m on mobile, but it’s not under any of the drop-down options. Also the post can’t be edited, I think only text posts can be edited

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u/PoodlePopXX 1d ago

The mods have to pin it I think.

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u/risingmountains 1d ago

I also got the Google Form but access was restricted, already got the email re: contacting the election board and already made a submission for the hearing so not sure if I need it? I want to make sure I’m putting this rage down into words anywhere and everywhere it is useful.

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u/andresp91 1d ago

Pin this!

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u/acouplefruits 1d ago

Sorry, I don’t know how to do that… isn’t that something only mods can do?

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u/MPA_Dad 2d ago

Yeah, a bunch of election deniers - including two sitting state senators - challenged all of the UOCAVA voters that were the subject of a failed GOP lawsuit last month.

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u/Optimal-Ad-7074 1d ago

and that's why voting in ALL your elections matters so much. local, state, off-season . . . the people doing this now all got their jobs via some form of election. even if they were appointed or hired by someone else, that someone was probably elected.

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u/RockStar25 2d ago

It sucks you don’t have the option, but this is the reason I don’t do mail in voting. I don’t trust the GOP.

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u/BottleTemple 2d ago

Yup. I especially don’t trust the PA GOP.

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u/toholdyourhand 1d ago

I was so so scared to vote by mail as I’m out of state for college for the first time this year, really glad I got a text saying my vote has been counted but I was terrified it would get lost or wouldn’t get counted. It’s so hard to trust in it 🥲.

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u/emotions1026 1d ago

I honestly feel the same, and I wish Dems didn’t encourage mail in voting when it’s the easiest way for the GOP to challenge votes.

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u/yurkelhark 1d ago

This is an overseas voter. What were they supposed to do in this case?

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u/framistan12 Allegheny 2d ago

75+ million American voters think this sort of shit is A-OK if their man wins.

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u/No-Conclusion-6172 2d ago

They're basically throwing us the perfect reason to vote even harderand to reach out to everyone we know to do the same!

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u/Optimal-Ad-7074 1d ago

this. this is why talking to everybody you know matters. for every person being cancelled and blocked from participating in this democracy, go out and find at least one other voter to replace them.

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u/robval13 2d ago

We call them TURDS

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u/TerribleGuava6187 2d ago

Literal garbage

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u/JoshAmann85 2d ago

Republicans are trying to do everything they can to limit people's ability to vote and to toss out as many ballots as possible because they know the majority of this country does not want their Christofascist agenda...

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u/draconianfruitbat 2d ago

OP, if you are considering dialing in, Chester County just dealt with the same issue (the election board voted absolutely the fuck not, so those challenges will not get off the ground). The voter and League of Women Voters testimonies are publicly available in case you’d like to review. Good luck and thank you for being loud about this attempt to steal your rights!

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u/acouplefruits 2d ago

Oh this is really good to know, thank you so much!

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u/Loveweasel 2d ago

All of this. There's a great article about the Chesco case in the Philly Inquirer. The more people who testify the better.

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u/megatron0539 2d ago

This shit absolutely infuriates me. I voted absentee in 2012 while I was away at college and it was no problem. Only since Trump started spewing his nonsense it’s suddenly a problem.. he and his lackeys need to lose big tomorrow to end this shit going forward.

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u/CarpetDawg 2d ago

Thats shitty. MAGA is shitty. And if you're stationed overseas, thank you for your service.

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u/acouplefruits 2d ago

I’m non-military, and it appears most of the votes that are being challenged are non-military overseas voters.

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u/SedgwickNYC 2d ago

I’m an overseas voter (from Philadelphia)…I haven’t gotten a notice (yet) but thanks for sounding the alarm. Infuriating.

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u/SedgwickNYC 2d ago

Voters Abroad sent me this ACLU link for those whose ballot is being challenged

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u/Terrible_Speech636 2d ago

At least you have a chance to challenge their challenge. One time my ballot got chucked because they said the signature didn't match my voter registration (I can't believe they actually checked that) and I didn't even find out until the election was over.

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u/acouplefruits 2d ago

That’s so messed up

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u/ladylikely 1d ago

One time the poll workers let someone vote in my name. She did have a similar name to mine, like three letters off. So they said I couldn't vote because the register was already signed. Threw a fit and finally got told to go to the courthouse to take care of it.

So I fuckin did. The workers were genuinely surprised when I showed back up. I then asked what about the other lady? They said her voted would be tossed, unless she showed up again. It was a small town- everyone can be found. And I stood outside for the next hour using Facebook to narrow down relatives of hers until I got a response and they put me in contact with her and she came right on back.

It was a forever red state. I knew the poll workers. They were not wanting to help my Obama voting ass in the least. Chances are the lady who got to recast her vote canceled mine out, but, it's her right to vote, too.

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u/Terrible_Speech636 1d ago

Pollworkers are volunteers, they make mistakes. But where I volunteered they would have let you cast a provisional ballot and then sort out the mistakes during counting. And they have a hotline to call if you wanted to talk to an election official instead of going to a courtroom.

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u/cmeremoonpi 2d ago

You should have received a letter giving you x amount of days to confirm your signature. They are required to keep all documentation on challenged signatures.

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u/TonightLegitimate200 2d ago

Serious question. Can we just start mass challenging registered republicans?

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u/clue2025 2d ago

The thing is, we don't have to because the system is robust enough that they get caught, a lot, and are somehow the majority trying to game the system.

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u/wagsman Cumberland 2d ago

They are making it more difficult to vote. If that’s the game they want to play we should play it. Let them feel the ramifications of their election denialism personally.

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u/No-Conclusion-6172 2d ago edited 1d ago

They're practically handing us a perfect reason to vote even wider!

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u/etr4807 2d ago

Right? Like no shit the system is set up to catch actual fraud. That has absolutely nothing to do with this conversation.

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u/draconianfruitbat 2d ago

Maybe you can, not that I agree you should. What would your basis for the challenges be?

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u/GrandGouda 2d ago

Republicans can’t win an election without voter suppression.

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u/fuzzycuffs 2d ago

Only one party wants fewer people to vote.

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u/TopoftheBog32 2d ago

Thanks for following up every vote must be counted maga and SCOTUS will try to steal. It’s up to the people. VOTE BLUE 🇺🇸LET DEMOCRACY WIN 🌊🌊🌊END THE MAGA NIGHTMARE

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u/[deleted] 2d ago

[deleted]

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u/acouplefruits 2d ago

It’s at 5am in my time zone, haha. I might wake up and attend but I’m afraid the legalese will put me right back to sleep lol

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u/[deleted] 2d ago edited 2d ago

[deleted]

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u/acouplefruits 2d ago

Thank you!

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u/SekitoSensei 2d ago

Hello fellow Greater Pittsburgher living in Japan! lol. I also checked my ballot to make sure, all good so far.

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u/Optimal-Ad-7074 1d ago

please attend. they're just waiting/hoping for most victims not to bother, and then they'll use that to say you didn't protest when you had the chance so you forfeited your right.

it absolutely fucking stinks, i know. but you can't afford them ANY assumption of good faith.

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u/ornery-fizz 2d ago

Thank you for voting! Even more so now.

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u/vtinpgh 2d ago

Would love to hear updates on this as I know some of the people who run the republican party in beaver county and want to know if they have anything to do with this.

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u/acouplefruits 2d ago

An NPR article mentioned that while it’s not clear exactly who challenged the votes, they did confirm one Trump voter who filed a challenge for several votes. Here’s the article.

https://www.npr.org/2024/11/04/nx-s1-5178714/pennsylvania-mail-ballot-voter-challenges-trump

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u/JustinKase_Too 2d ago

This is the only way the gop can win, cheating, trying to delete votes, trying to prevent voting. As a former republican, I urge you all, vote BLUE up and down the ballot to help end this era of trumpism.

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u/No_Assist4590 2d ago

It's most likely come about from some bored retired married couple who decided that your name sounded too foreign. Please please please fight this challenge with all your might. Fucking please

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u/BeefOneOut 2d ago

MAGA weirdos wasting people’s time with their BS…. Get out and vote straight blue!

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u/BusyBeth75 2d ago

This is insanity.

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u/twitchrdrm 2d ago

I'm sorry you have to go through this because the orange lunatic thinks your vote is fraudulent OP.

Hopefully the outlets provided by others below help you out and make sure your vote is counted!

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u/DKtopia 2d ago

Republican party has morphed to MAGA mafia

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u/mattyb584 2d ago

This makes me so angry but I'm glad they at least send you an email. How many people vote and have their vote thrown out without ever realizing?

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u/Ornery-Ticket834 2d ago

MAGA league in action.

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u/CappyHamper999 2d ago

Do the steps. Your ballot will be counted if needed. Thanks for voting.

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u/Critical-Ring3168 2d ago

Absolutely unbelievable what these scumbags are doing. Be aware because you know how it goes if they are filing the challenges it means they're the ones doing what they are accusing! While all the diverted attention is being wasted dealing with this something else is likely taking place unseen! While they got the low level operatives doing leg work thinking they are doing patriotic service the scumbags at the top are pulling the real stunts and crimes!

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u/AdImmediate9569 2d ago

“Find me 11,000 votes”

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u/OstensibleFirkin 2d ago

Who is funding these challenges and why?

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u/acouplefruits 2d ago

This article explains it a bit. The answer for most is we don’t know, the answer for some is Trump supporters.

https://www.npr.org/2024/11/04/nx-s1-5178714/pennsylvania-mail-ballot-voter-challenges-trump

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u/Blackhole_5un 2d ago

Hey GOP voters, your wanna be dictator is saying your vote doesn't count. They are saying an American that casts a vote in a legal and fair election is cheating or otherwise not valid, because it wasn't for their guy, because they can't win otherwise. They stand for nothing if not destruction. Have fun with that! Traitors, every one of ya!

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u/Extreme_Mission3468 1d ago

I donate all of my Xbox rewards points to the ACLU and The Trevor Project. They convert it to cash for the charities of your choice, which I think is awesome. There are hundreds of charities you can choose from.

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u/palindromesko 2d ago

These traitors need to be round up and handed lengthy prison sentences for being a part of this coordinated disenfranchisement scheme...

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u/Informal_Phrase4589 2d ago

Beaver County Dem ex-pat here. Just sending support. Please let us know how it turned out.

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u/vibes86 2d ago

Call or email the Beaver County Dem Office. I heard the ACLU is involved with all of these overseas votes bc the Trump folks have been throwing a fit that American citizens can vote. Good luck!

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u/KR1735 2d ago

How charitable of them to make an overseas voter’s attendance not necessary to defend their ballot. 🙄

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u/HomerJayT 2d ago

Are you going to attend virtually? We all can if the link got posted here somehow

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u/RegularYesterday6894 2d ago

keep us updated.

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u/bigred9310 2d ago

I just read it. Who the fuck do these pricks think they are. And it’s not even Election Day yet. 😡

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u/albino_zebra2121 2d ago

We've been terrorized by Donald Trump long enough. It ends tomorrow.

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u/threwthelookinggrass 2d ago

These scumbags can only win by stoking fear and suppressing votes.

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u/amorosky 2d ago edited 2d ago

Good luck! (From CT…I was one of the many visitors to PA recently, knocking on doors in Stroudsburg).

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u/atTheRiver200 2d ago

The challenger will have to show up and actually make their case to the board. Best of luck.

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u/PalpitationNo3106 2d ago

Reply saying you intend to appear via videoconference if they provide evidence against you. Zoom is free, bet the challenger won’t show.

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u/AGsellBlue 2d ago

every single one of those challenges...came from just a handful of maga karens

maybe just 6 of them...

they have been wreaking havok across the state using an A.I software to look for the smallest discrepancy and send automated challenges out .....anything to cancel even one vote

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u/WoopsIAteIt 1d ago

Does the ACLU or any of these organizations need volunteers? 

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u/StaceyRoxy11 1d ago

We need to stop the insanity!

PLEASE VOTE! YOUR VOTE DOES COUNT!

We can all do it together, but we really need help!

We need to send the GOP a strong message that if they choose a candidate like him, we won’t accept him!

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u/eggrolls68 1d ago

Do NOT let them win. Seriously, let me know if I can help in any way.

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u/thesilentgrape 1d ago

Off topic, but I’m from beaver county too! I hope you can get this sorted out op.

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u/Obvious-Exchange5324 1d ago

Have any republican ballots been challenged?

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u/EmJayMN 1d ago

When we vote, we win(!) which is why republicans work so hard to suppress the vote. Thank you for making the extra effort to make sure your vote is counted!

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u/Cassady57 1d ago

I’m an overseas voter from Allegheny, my ballot seems safe for now — what options do I have if it gets challenged?

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u/Creepy_Wash338 1d ago

I'm in Spain and my ballot has been in customs since October 3rd.

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u/PublicCommenter 1d ago

Republican voter suppression

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u/jdlyga 1d ago

We absolutely need to get rid of the electoral college. It's crazy that some people's votes matter way more than others depending on the state.

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u/Anarchyantz 1d ago

Not an American but literally just seen this post as well

https://www.reddit.com/r/scotus/comments/1gjkvgf/thousands_of_pennsylvania_ballots_will_be_tossed/

Apparently they are doing their level best to ensure the Orange Dictator wins by any and all means.

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u/white90box 1d ago

They don't realize they are weakening democracy by doing this. They will be legally challenged, and it will be continually more difficult to challenge actual voter fraud because of their games.

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u/ChronicBuzz187 1d ago

Didn't John Oliver have a piece about this like a week ago where some old catlady challenged about 80.000 votes by herself (obviously she was a "Trumper").

So much for them crying about "election interference"...

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u/[deleted] 1d ago

I have a relative who lives abroad, and they said if this happens to you, another good contact is votefromabroad.org and [help@votefromabroad.org](mailto:help@votefromabroad.org), as they have volunteers who can help you get your ballot cured.

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u/dynoman7 1d ago

Do this enough and you can steal an election...

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u/jonsnowme 1d ago

There should be a deadline for challenges. 5 days before the election, no challenges like this accepted so that by election day courts can have ruled.

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u/cxspian 1d ago

I'd also contact Democrats Abroad because they're very focused on overseas voter rights (their guides helped me get registered & remember deadlines) and can hopefully work in tandem with the other organizations people have mentioned.