Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro backed the state Supreme Court’s ruling that improperly dated or undated mail-in ballots cannot be counted, amid a heated Senate recount.

The court’s 4–3 decision directed election boards in several counties to comply with its earlier ruling.

Shapiro emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law to maintain trust in elections.

The decision comes after GOP lawsuits during the recount of a narrow Senate race, where Republican David McCormick defeated Democrat Bob Casey by a slim margin, Fox News has reported.

Republican officials criticized Shapiro for his timing, while some Democrats expressed defiance of the court’s ruling.

Written by B.C. Begley