The Pennsylvania Department of State has decided to halt a recount for the U.S. Senate race following incumbent Senator Bob Casey’s concession to Republican candidate Dave McCormick. In a communication shared with county election officials, Deputy Secretary of State Jonathan Marks indicated that, upon Casey’s request, counties that have not yet finished the recount are no longer obligated to continue.
McCormick’s victory margin was significant, winning by over 16,000 votes, which accounts for 0.24% of the total—a difference noted to be especially difficult to overturn through recount, according to research. While state law mandates an automatic recount for races decided by a margin of within 0.5%, candidates have the option to waive this requirement. The recount was originally announced on November 13 and was scheduled for completion next week.
Secretary of State Al Schmidt expressed gratitude to Pennsylvania’s election officials for their diligent efforts throughout the election process, highlighting the importance of their work in counting millions of ballots and conducting audits to ensure that every legitimate vote cast in the recent election was accurately tallied.
This decision reflects the ongoing commitment of election officials to uphold the integrity and transparency of the electoral process, a vital component of democracy. Moving forward, it is hopeful to see continuous improvements in election administration and the engagement of voters in the democratic process.
In summary, the Pennsylvania Department of State has called off the U.S. Senate race recount after Bob Casey’s concession to Dave McCormick, who won by a margin that makes a recount unlikely to change the outcome. Election officials have been commended for their hard work in ensuring an accurate count of the votes.