Pre-Election Pennsylvania Supreme Court Rule Changes – Election Rule Modifications Made Without Legislative Authorization (PA)

[Established Fact – Orders were issued; legislative authority was not invoked] The Pennsylvania Supreme Court, in a series of 2020 pre-election orders, extended mail ballot receipt deadlines (to November 6 for ballots postmarked by November 3), altered ballot-curing procedures, and modified signature-verification requirements – changes that were made by judicial order rather than by the legislature, which is the constitutionally designated authority for election law under Art. I, § 4 and the Electors Clause. Three of the seven Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices were elected with significant campaign contributions from groups with a documented partisan interest in the outcome of the election. This does not establish improper judicial conduct but creates an appearance-of-impartiality question that warrants examination under 28 U.S.C. § 455 principles.