Attorney General Alan Wilson joined Missouri and 19 other states on Mar. 18 in asking the U.S. Supreme Court to support a Pennsylvania law that requires voters to handwrite the date on mail-in ballots. The group of states argued that a lower court made an error by striking down this rule, which they say is simple and helps protect election integrity.
The case centers on a decision by the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Eakin v. Adams County Board of Elections, which invalidated the Pennsylvania requirement. In their friend-of-the-court brief, the states said this ruling undermines federalism and separation of powers by giving federal courts too much control over state election rules, which are typically set by state legislatures.
“The right to vote is an essential right we have as Americans,” Wilson said. “As Attorney General, I always have and always will fight to protect our elections in South Carolina.”
The coalition asked the Supreme Court to review and reverse the appeals court’s decision, arguing that non-discriminatory regulations like dating mail-in ballots do not violate voting rights or place severe burdens on voters. They warned that if the lower court’s approach stands, even basic election-integrity measures could be found unconstitutional.
Wilson leads an office that supports victims of crime through advocacy and resources, contributing to community safety according to the official website. The South Carolina Attorney General acts as the state’s main legal advocate and enforcer, handling prosecutions and regulatory matters such as securities and consumer protection according to the official website. The office also works with law enforcement agencies across South Carolina on criminal prosecutions according to the official website.
In addition to South Carolina and Missouri, attorneys general from Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia joined in filing the brief.
