Established Fact
During canvassing at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, credentialed Republican poll observers were physically present in the counting room but were required to observe from a distance of approximately 15–18 feet from the counting tables—a distance observers argued was too far to meaningfully verify individual ballot-handling. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court, in In Re: Canvassing Observation (Nov. 17, 2020), reviewed the distance restrictions and upheld Philadelphia’s canvassing rules 5–2.
Note: satellite offices involved in this dispute are legally distinct from polling places.
Established Fact: access-distance restrictions existed and were confirmed by court proceedings; the legality of those restrictions was upheld by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Citations
In Re: Canvassing Observation (Pa. Supreme Court, Nov. 17, 2020): Court ruled 5-2 that the Philadelphia Board of Elections did not violate state law in establishing observation distance rules at the Philadelphia Convention Center. Republican observers were physically present in the room but behind a crowd-control fence at distances the Trump campaign argued were too far to meaningfully observe. Justia: In Re: Canvassing Observ. (Pa. Supreme Court 2020)
Philadelphia Canvassing Observation Challenge (Democracy Docket case tracker): Trump campaign filed on Election Day arguing observers were denied “meaningful access.” Lower court initially ordered observers within 6 feet; PA Supreme Court vacated that order 5–2. Democracy Docket – PA Philadelphia Canvassing Observation Challenge
Accuracy note: Credentialed Republican observers were physically admitted to the Philadelphia Convention Center counting room; the dispute was over proximity (15–18 feet vs. 6 feet). Satellite voting locations are legally distinct from polling places under Pennsylvania law (Judge Glazer, Oct. 9, 2020 ruling); exclusion from satellite offices was upheld as lawful by the Court of Common Pleas. The description’s reference to “tabulation centers” (Convention Center) is supported; “satellite voting locations” involved a separate legal dispute over whether poll watchers were authorized there at all. 25 P.S. § 2650; 25 P.S. § 3146.8.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/09/trump-observers-blocked-entry-satellite-voting-locations-philly-stopthesteal/ | The Gateway Pundit
Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision (fn. 56) and Democracy Docket case record (fn. 57). See In Re: Canvassing Observation, PA Supreme Court (Nov. 17, 2020); Democracy Docket – Philadelphia Canvassing Observation Challenge