The Pennsylvania U.S. Senate race has entered an automatic recount as the matchup between incumbent Bob Casey and challenger Dave McCormick remains unresolved.
The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reported that the recount, initiated due to the razor-thin margin in the vote count, has sparked numerous legal battles and debates over ballot counting procedures.
Under Pennsylvania law, a recount is mandatory when the victory margin is within 0.5% or less. This has been triggered in the current Senate race given the close contest.
As of the latest count, McCormick leads with 48.89% of the votes while Casey holds 48.53%, according to unofficial results.
The Associated Press declared McCormick the presumptive winner earlier in November, a move echoed by Decision Desk HQ. However, Casey has not conceded due to ballots still pending review.
Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt revealed that more than 80,000 ballots remain uncounted, including over 20,000 mail-in and absentee ballots and approximately 60,000 provisional votes.
The recount, involving all 67 counties, is set to start by November 20, with results expected by November 26. To ensure accuracy, counties will employ different methods or equipment than those used in initial tabulations.
The recount process, projected to surpass $1 million in cost, has come under scrutiny due to disputes around the handling of provisional and mail-in ballots.
Casey’s campaign has expressed concerns over rejected provisional ballots, while McCormick’s campaign has filed a legal challenge regarding undated and misdated mail ballots, particularly focusing on 405 ballots in Bucks County.
In response to these legal actions, James Fitzpatrick, McCormick's campaign counsel, criticized the challenges as "frivolous," insisting that the local election boards and the SURE system are the definitive arbiters of voter registration.
On the opposite side, Adam Bonin, Casey’s legal representative, countered by affirming that efforts to disenfranchise voters are unfounded and misleading.
Disputes over undated and provisional ballots are anticipated to result in continued legal wrangling. Casey’s campaign accused McCormick's team of spreading misinformation, aimed at disenfranchising voters. Meanwhile, McCormick attended a Washington, D.C., orientation for new senators, expressing confidence in a victory path for him.
Past recounts in Pennsylvania have proceeded even after a concession, indicating the automatic recount could continue regardless of Casey’s stance. This situation mirrors the 2021 Pennsylvania commonwealth court race, which underwent a recount despite a candidate concession.
Casey’s campaign manager, Tiernan Donohue, emphasized the importance of ensuring that Pennsylvanians' voices are accounted for, while legal expert Kathy Boockvar divulged on the statutory basis for recounts in elections this close.
Boockvar criticized premature media projections, stressing that the recount process is vital for delivering accurate results rather than swift conclusions demanded by audiences.
Boockvar emphasized the 20-year history of this law, asserting that the focus remains on accuracy over speed.
As the deadline looms, all parties are urged by state officials to comply with the law and respect procedural norms.
Although the court denied McCormick’s request for increased GOP observers during the provisional ballot count, efforts for maintaining transparency continue.
McCormick’s lead strategist, Mark Harris, stated their resolve to pursue legal avenues to ensure every vote aligns with legal standards, despite an apparent victory.
With the recount mandated, the campaigns and state officials remain on high alert. This initiative will encompass over 7 million paper ballots, according to Secretary Schmidt, exemplifying the extensive nature of this election process.
Ongoing recount activities are closely watched as they promise to set a precedent for handling tightly-contested elections in the future. The coming days will be pivotal as counties tabulate remaining ballots and resolve outstanding disputes in the high-stakes race for Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate seat.
