The Pennsylvania Senate race between Republican Dave McCormick and Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) is heading to a statewide recount. McCormick leads by over 29,000 votes, but Casey has not conceded, prompting legal challenges from Democrats.
State law requires a recount for races with margins under 0.5%, with the current margin at 0.43%. Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announced that counties must start the recount by Nov. 20 and submit results by Nov. 27. The recount is projected to cost over $1 million.
Democrats, under the guidance of attorney Marc Elias, are pushing to include contested ballots, raising concerns among Republicans. The Wall Street Journal editorial board criticized these efforts as an attempt to “steal the seat” for Casey, calling it a direct challenge to election integrity.
McCormick, declared the winner by several outlets, holds 48.93% of the vote compared to Casey’s 48.5%. Experts note that recounts rarely shift outcomes by significant margins, making McCormick’s victory likely to stand.
Conservatives have warned against counting ballots that may not meet legal standards, arguing that such actions could erode public trust in the election process. This recount has become a focal point in the broader debate over election laws and procedures.
With results expected just before Thanksgiving, the recount will determine Pennsylvania’s Senate seat and signal how future election disputes might be handled. Republicans are calling for a transparent process to uphold the integrity of the vote.
