HARRISBURG, PA — The Shapiro Administration has made significant strides in ensuring voter participation and reducing disenfranchisement during the 2024 presidential election. Mail ballot rejections dropped by 57% in the November general election compared to the April primary, an outcome attributed to targeted reforms and public education efforts.
“Ensuring every registered Pennsylvania voter had the ability to cast their ballot and have that vote counted was a top priority in 2024 for the Shapiro Administration,” said Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt.
The November election saw 2.2 million mail ballot applications, with an 89% return rate. Of these, only 1% were rejected, compared to 2.4% during the spring primary. Common reasons for rejection included late receipt (33%), incorrect or missing dates (23%), missing signatures (17%), and lack of a secrecy envelope (15%).
The Administration implemented numerous measures to address these issues, including a voter education campaign and a directive mandating that counties preprint the full year on return envelopes to avoid confusion. Redesigned instruction materials and an improved online mail ballot application further streamlined the process. Partnerships with organizations such as the Pennsylvania Campus Voting Challenge and the Department of Aging expanded outreach to younger and older voters alike.
“These efforts helped to significantly reduce the number of voters who were disenfranchised because of a mistake made when completing their mail ballot materials,” Schmidt explained, underlining the effectiveness of these initiatives.
With a general voter turnout of 77%, the reforms not only minimized errors but also reinforced voter confidence in Pennsylvania’s electoral process. The Department of State plans to build on this progress for upcoming municipal elections in 2025.
“While the Shapiro Administration is pleased with these improved numbers for 2024,” Schmidt emphasized, “we will continue to work with county election officials to ensure every eligible Pennsylvanian’s legally cast vote can be counted.”
These changes mark a decisive step toward fostering an inclusive and accessible voting system that puts Pennsylvania voters first.
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