The Republican National Committee (RNC) filed two new lawsuits in Pennsylvania after state boards of elections decided to count undated mail ballots following a ruling by the state supreme court. These suits were filed in response to Democrat incumbent Sen. Bob Casey refusing to concede to his GOP challenger, Sen.-elect Dave McCormick. The RNC is taking action to stop the counting of what they believe are illegal ballots, with GOP Chairman Michael Whatley stating the decision to file these lawsuits was to ensure the democratic process in Pennsylvania is not undermined by including these ballots in the final vote count. The Philadelphia City Commissioners confirmed that several counties in Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia, had voted to count a small number of undated and incorrectly dated mail ballots, prompting the RNC to file a petition to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court had previously sided with the GOP in blocking the counting of undated mail-in ballots, but recent actions have prompted the filing of new lawsuits to challenge the counting of these ballots. These actions have caused frustration within the RNC, with an official calling it ridiculous and suggesting that Democrat lawyers and officials are trying to profit off of Bob Casey by prolonging the process. Despite the ongoing legal battles, Sens.-elect Dave McCormick has already begun Senate orientation in D.C. Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announced an automatic statewide recount for the U.S. Senate race in Pennsylvania, triggered by the close margin between Casey and McCormick. Results for the recount must be submitted by November 27th.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling overturned a decision by the Commonwealth Court just days before the election, which deemed the state law requiring a handwritten date unconstitutional. Pennsylvania Republicans applauded the ruling, noting that Democrats have attempted to remove the dated ballot requirement multiple times. GOP Chairman Whatley stated that the law was upheld, and the requirement for a dated ballot would be in effect for the election, highlighting the importance of this safeguard. The ongoing legal battles and recounts in the Pennsylvania Senate race have caused tension and uncertainty, with McCormick projected to win while Casey refuses to concede.
The refusal of Bob Casey to concede the Pennsylvania Senate race, along with ongoing legal battles over the counting of undated mail ballots, has added complexity to the post-election process. The RNC’s decision to file lawsuits against counting what they believe to be illegal ballots has heightened tensions, with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court being petitioned to intervene in the matter. The statewide recount triggered due to the close margin between Casey and McCormick adds an additional layer of uncertainty to the situation, with final results expected by the end of November. Despite these challenges, Republicans have expressed satisfaction with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s ruling to uphold the requirement for dated ballots, citing the importance of this safeguard in the election process.
The legal battles and recount efforts in the Pennsylvania Senate race have caused frustration and delay in determining the final outcome of the election. However, the RNC remains committed to ensuring the integrity of the democratic process by challenging the counting of what they believe to be illegal ballots. Dave McCormick’s attendance at Senate orientation in D.C. signals confidence in his victory, despite Bob Casey’s refusal to concede. The ongoing legal challenges underscore the importance of clarity and transparency in the election process, with all parties involved seeking a fair and accurate outcome. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s role in upholding the requirement for dated ballots has been praised by Republicans, emphasizing the need to maintain election safeguards to prevent potential fraud or irregularities.
