The Pennsylvania Department of State has officially terminated the recount for the contentious U.S. Senate race, following the concession of incumbent U.S. Senator Bob Casey to Republican candidate Dave McCormick late Thursday. An email from Jonathan Marks, the deputy secretary of state, instructed county election officials that those who hadn’t completed the recount would no longer need to do so.
McCormick emerged victorious with a lead of over 16,000 votes, a margin of 0.24%. Research indicates that such a narrow margin is highly unlikely to change following a recount. According to state law, a recount is mandated when the vote difference in a statewide race is within 0.5%, although the candidate trailing can choose to waive it. The recount was initiated on November 13 and was set to conclude next week.
In response to the election officials’ efforts, Secretary of State Al Schmidt expressed gratitude for their commitment and hard work throughout the election process, including the counting of millions of ballots and the execution of audits to ensure the accuracy of the votes cast on November 5.
This decision underscores a smooth electoral process in Pennsylvania, highlighting the dedication of election officials in maintaining integrity and transparency in the democratic process. As new leadership takes shape, there is optimism that it will lead to effective governance and responsiveness to the constituents’ needs. The conclusion of this recount marks a significant step towards a peaceful transition, fostering hope for collaboration in the state’s political landscape.