Ballot Controversy Erupts In Tight Pennsylvania Senate Race

Democratic officials in Pennsylvania are under fire for counting illegal mail-in ballots in the razor-thin Senate race between Republican Dave McCormick and Democrat Bob Casey. The race, now subject to a mandatory recount, has exposed deep divisions over election integrity and compliance with court rulings.

McCormick holds a narrow lead of 29,000 votes according to unofficial results, but with the margin under 0.5%, Pennsylvania law requires a recount. Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt confirmed the recount’s results will be released on Nov. 27, adding that the process is expected to cost $1 million.

Before Election Day, the state Supreme Court ruled that undated or improperly signed mail-in ballots should not be included in the official count. Despite this, officials in Bucks and Montgomery counties proceeded to count ballots that violated these criteria, sparking outrage among Republicans.

Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia justified the move by dismissing the importance of legal precedent. “For me, if I violate this law, it’s because I want a court to pay attention,” she said, calling vote counting the “most important” priority. Montgomery County’s Democratic board chair Neil Makhija similarly defended the decision, claiming the ballots must be counted to prevent disenfranchisement.

The Republican National Committee has filed lawsuits against both counties, arguing the decisions violate election law. RNC Chairman Michael Whatley condemned the actions, stating, “Democrats in Pennsylvania are brazenly trying to break the law by attempting to count illegal ballots. They are doing this because they want to steal a senate seat.”

This race has drawn national attention due to its potential implications for Senate control. McCormick’s campaign and the RNC are vowing to challenge any effort to include illegal ballots, framing the issue as a fight for election integrity.

The recount’s outcome will likely intensify scrutiny of Pennsylvania’s election processes, particularly as mail-in voting continues to be a contentious issue. Both parties are preparing for prolonged legal battles that could extend well beyond Nov. 27.

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