A contentious battle is brewing in Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate race, where Republican challenger Dave McCormick has declared victory over Democratic incumbent Bob Casey. While media outlets and political analysts have called the race for McCormick, Casey and his allies are refusing to concede, accusing Republicans of undermining the electoral process. Now, the Democratic Party is pushing for a statewide recount, aiming to include thousands of contested ballots—a move McCormick and the Republican National Committee (RNC) argue could illegally sway the election.
According to Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt, the race between McCormick and Casey is close enough to trigger an automatic recount under Pennsylvania law. With McCormick leading by 29,338 votes—48.93% to Casey’s 48.50%—the margin falls within the state’s 0.5% threshold for a mandatory recount. Counties have until November 20 to begin the recount and must report their results by November 27. The recount is projected to cost taxpayers over $1 million.
While the recount proceeds, tensions are rising over a legal battle regarding the inclusion of thousands of provisional and mail-in ballots. Bucks County, a Democrat-controlled area, is at the center of the controversy. The county’s election board has decided to count nearly 4,500 provisional ballots and hundreds of mail-in ballots with missing or incorrect dates, despite Pennsylvania Supreme Court rulings stating such ballots are invalid.
McCormick’s campaign and the RNC have filed lawsuits to block these ballots from being counted, citing state law and constitutional violations. “The Board’s baffling decision not to enforce the date requirement and to count noncompliant ballots directly contravenes binding Pennsylvania law,” the complaint states.
Michael Whatley, RNC Chair, has vowed that his party will take every legal step necessary to prevent what he calls a “Democratic attempt to steal the election.” “We will have attorneys and observers in every county to ensure that only lawful ballots are counted,” he said. The RNC has filed lawsuits in Bucks County and with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to stop what it describes as the “illegal” counting of undated and incorrectly dated ballots.
Mark Harris, a consultant for McCormick’s campaign, dismissed Casey’s chances of overturning the election results. “Since 2000, no U.S. Senate race with a lead of more than 500 votes has ever switched,” Harris tweeted. “There’s no path for Casey except wasting over $1 million in taxpayer money.”
Elizabeth Gregory, McCormick’s communications director, echoed Harris’s sentiment, calling the recount “a waste of time and resources.” She added, “Senator-elect McCormick’s lead is insurmountable, and the Associated Press has made that clear.”
Despite the growing legal pressure, Casey’s team is standing firm. His campaign is reportedly relying on high-profile Democratic elections attorney Marc Elias, known for his aggressive litigation tactics in contested races. Elias, who has a track record of overturning election results through legal challenges, was involved in the infamous 2008 Minnesota Senate race, where previously rejected ballots helped Democrat Al Franken defeat Republican Norm Coleman.
The Wall Street Journal editorial board has accused Elias of employing similar tactics in Pennsylvania. “Elias is back and trying to steal a Senate seat for Bob Casey,” the paper wrote. “The Elias method involves finding friendly judges willing to bend the rules.”
This battle over ballots is not just about Pennsylvania. It’s part of a broader national narrative about election integrity and voter confidence. Republicans have long argued that undated or misdated mail-in ballots open the door to fraud, while Democrats claim rejecting such ballots disenfranchises voters.
Deb Otis, director of research at FairVote, pointed out that recounts rarely change election outcomes. “Recounts typically shift only a very small number of votes,” Otis said. “We’re going to see recounts in 2024 that won’t change the results, but they’ll fuel ongoing disputes.”
The legal wrangling in Pennsylvania is expected to set a precedent for future elections. With a Republican secretary of state and a Democratic-majority state Supreme Court, the balance of power could determine the outcome. For now, both parties are digging in, with millions of dollars and control of the U.S. Senate at stake.
The recount process is set to begin in a matter of days, with the final results due by the end of November. In the meantime, the courts will have to weigh in on the validity of the contested ballots. If McCormick’s lawsuits succeed, his path to the Senate will be cleared. If not, Casey could find a narrow opening to challenge the outcome.
Regardless of the recount’s results, this election underscores the persistent tensions in America’s electoral system. With both parties claiming to defend democracy, the coming weeks will reveal whether Pennsylvania’s Senate race ends in resolution—or further controversy.
why do these morons insist they can win with illegal ballots? if they weren’t in the hand of the poll workers on 11-5-24, it has been RULED BY A COURT THEY CANNOT BE CONSIDERED “CAST”. OR VOTED. this guy has no chance, which shows his disregard for the voters spending a million dollars for NOTHING.
The only way communism can win in any state or country is lie, cheat, steal…because who in their right mind wants a bunch of scum ruling them and stealing their money..polls need to be watched by police and lock up the criminals..only then will elections be fair
Any member of the house and senate that uses unlawful means to try or win an election should immediately be charged and sent to prison to a term of not lest than 20 years.
This would prevent anyone such as Casey to even try and sway the results of any election.
You got to fight fire with fire when un-american elected officials try to stay in office when they are not wanted by the electorate.
Have Florida’s Ron DeSantis election ballot team recount and verify the voting process they will do it in one day. They don’t cheat or manipulate votes. Democrats always find ways to cheat too their advantage Americans spoke the don’t want democrats controlling them anymore. We should put his big pants on and conceded the election as a loser
Just another corrupt democrat trying to steal another election
Hire Florida’s Ron DeSantis election ballot voting team the will do it in one day without cheating. It’s time for DNA officials come in and check the ink on voting ballots to see how many extra ballots have the same ink used over and over trying to cheat with bogus ballots. Forensics can check if cheating occurred. Democrats never quit cheating this time they will go to prison.
Fk’in Marxists!