Opinion ID: 1436318
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Challenges to the Lower Court's Rulings Upon the Validity of the Recanvassed Ballots

Text: These complaints can be broadly divided into two basic categories. The first complaint is raised by candidate Walko to the refusal of the Recount Boards to count ballots which were deposited in the various voting boxes without the perforated corner containing the identifying numbers being removed. Act of June 3, 1937, P.L. 1333, art. XII, § 1215, as amended, 25 P.S. § 3055 (1963). The second category of complaints consist of challenges on behalf of both candidate Walko and candidate Reed alleging the invalidity of ballots or conversely the validity of ballots under the Act of June 3, 1937, P.L. 1333, art. XII, § 1223, as amended, 1963, August 13, P.L. 707, § 19, 25 P.S. 3063 (Supp. 1974-75). This latter category of complaints will be treated under subheadings depending upon the particular irregularity charged. At the outset it is important to be reminded that the right of suffrage is the most treasured prerogative of citizenship in this nation and this Commonwealth. It is this right that made the American dream distinctive, where men were to be governed not by the state but by themselves. Unreasonable impairment or unnecessary restrictions upon this right cannot be tolerated whether the contest be for the selection of the President of the United States or the district committeeman.