As Pennsylvania inched another day closer to the presidential election, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to expedite a challenge to the state's extended mail ballot deadline. But the justices left open the door to an eventual intervention, Spotlight PA reports. 

At issue: a state Supreme Court ruling that gave counties an additional three days — or until Nov. 6 — to receive ballots. The Pennsylvania Republican Party petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to stay the ruling and, after being denied, asked the justices to speed consideration of the full case.

As the critical court battle continued to play out, Pennsylvania's top election official urged voters to hand-deliver their completed ballots to election offices or drop boxes. With mail delays, there is no guarantee a ballot mailed now will arrive in time, and no guarantee they will be counted if they arrive after Nov. 3.

Anticipating the challenge of late ballots to continue, Secretary of the Commonwealth Kathy Boockvar directed counties to set aside any mail-in and absentee ballots that arrive after Nov. 3, even if they have a postmark showing that they were sent before Election Day.

The Context: The final days before Nov. 3 continue to challenge both state and local election officials.

In Erie, the county board of elections banned gatherings of two or more voters openly carrying guns near polling places in response to concerns about possible Election Day intimidation efforts.

To the south, Butler County commissioners publicly grappled with potentially thousands of lost ballots voters had requested.

And in Cumberland County, commissioners were catching serious heat for saying they would tally only in-person votes on Election Day, and wait until the next day to count mail votes. Since Democrats outnumber Republicans in mail voting, in-person voting may skew Republican, and thus Trump.

By reporting only in-person results on election night, it may appear as though Trump has done very well. Then, on Nov. 4 and after, as mail ballots are tallied, that lead could shrink... or disappear. This could play into Trump's hands, being able to claim he "won" on election night and then it was stolen from him, which is exactly the kind of scenario he has suggested would happen at rallies.

The most important thing for voters to remember? Stay calm and informed. Spotlight PA has already answered some of your most pressing questions about voting and will continue to do so until Tuesday.

As an additional public service, Spotlight PA is hosting a live reader Q&A at 10 a.m. Monday. You can RSVP for free right now.  

"I don’t mind. I’ve got snacks and drinks."

–– Tammi Moran, a Yardley resident, who was caught in one of several long lines in Bucks County this week as residents waited to apply for a mail ballot or vote on demand

TICKS: A new study found that more than a third of ticks statewide carry Lyme or a similar disease. And while summer's gone away, ticks haven't, so take precautions when spending time in the woods. 

LEAVES LEAVES GO AWAY: Still haven't made time to take your annual leaf-peeping trip around the state? You're about to run out of time: Heavy rain is expected to wash away the last of the foliage today and tomorrow.

WHAT TO LISTEN TO IF ... You're in a rainy mood: The recent weather has me turning to the queen of the Blues, Philadelphia native Billie Holiday. Especially on a cloudy day, I want to hear her sing "Stormy Weather" or "Come Rain or Come Shine."

RAISE A GLASS: A small Pennsylvania winery is capitalizing on this nightmarish year with a wine whose name I can't print here (this is a family newsletter). Grovedale Winery's owner said part of the proceeds will go to helping people access mental health services.

DUNKIN' OF THE FUTURE: If you're a loyal Dunkin' customer you might want to check out this new store in the Lehigh Valley, being hailed as a "restaurant of the future." While you're at it, I'll have a small hot with cream and a sour cream doughnut (if you like jelly, we can't be friends).