Democratic leaders mount a legal battle over rejected provisional ballots in a closely watched Pennsylvania Senate race.

According to Just The News, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) and Senator Bob Casey's campaign have filed lawsuits against 10 county election boards, seeking to include more than 3,200 previously rejected provisional ballots in the final count.

The legal challenge comes after Republican Dave McCormick was declared the winner with 3,380,310 votes (48.93%) compared to Casey's 3,350,972 votes (48.5%).

Marc Elias' law firm represents the Democrats in their effort to count ballots that were rejected due to missing signatures, lack of inner secrecy envelopes, or both.

Legal Battle Over Ballot Validity Intensifies

The Democrats' lawsuit argues that voters' procedural errors stem from poll workers' failure to provide proper materials or instructions.

Their legal team asserts violations of due process rights and the Help America Vote Act, targeting Philadelphia, Lackawanna, Montgomery, Erie, Bucks, Dauphin, Delaware, York, Berks, and Lehigh counties.

A mandatory recount is currently underway due to the margin falling within the 0.5% threshold. Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt has established strict deadlines, requiring counties to begin the recount by November 20 and complete it by November 26, with final results due November 27.

The recount process is expected to cost Pennsylvania taxpayers over $1 million. Despite the option to end the recount, incumbent Casey has chosen to let it proceed, maintaining hope for a reversal of fortune.

Republican Response And Supreme Court Ruling

The Republican National Committee and state GOP representatives have countered with 12 lawsuits of their own. Their legal efforts focus particularly on concerns about undated mail-in ballots in Bucks and Montgomery counties.

A significant development occurred when the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled in favor of the RNC, mandating that undated mail-in ballots received on Election Day must not be counted. This decision affects all 67 counties in the Commonwealth.

Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia sparked controversy with her initial comments about the court's ruling.

She later apologized at a county commission meeting, stating:

I wanted to start by apologizing for the upset and the confusion that I have caused the citizens of Bucks County and the hardworking employees of this county and my family and those who share my last name.

Media Response And Political Commentary

The Wall Street Journal's editorial board criticized Casey's refusal to concede and Democratic election lawyer Marc Elias' involvement. Former Trump campaign adviser Steve Cortes questioned media coverage of the situation on social media.

The situation has drawn parallels to previous election disputes, with Republicans pointing out the irony of Democrats challenging election results after criticizing similar actions by Republicans following the 2020 presidential election.

Local Republican officials have celebrated the Supreme Court's ruling on undated ballots. The Bucks County GOP has confirmed their election board's compliance with the court order, ensuring undated and misdated ballots will be removed from county vote totals.

Final Steps In Contentious Senate Race

Dave McCormick's apparent victory over incumbent Bob Casey in the Pennsylvania Senate race faces one final hurdle as legal challenges and a mandatory recount proceed simultaneously.

The dispute centers on more than 3,200 provisional ballots across 10 Pennsylvania counties, with Democrats arguing for their inclusion while Republicans defend the existing vote certification.

The outcome hinges on both the recount results, due by November 27, and the resolution of multiple lawsuits filed by both parties. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court's ruling on undated mail-in ballots has already shaped the legal landscape, setting a precedent for how remaining ballot disputes may be resolved.