The Pennsylvania Department of State has decided to terminate the recount for the U.S. Senate race following incumbent Senator Bob Casey’s concession to Republican candidate Dave McCormick. This decision was communicated to county election officials in an email from Jonathan Marks, the deputy secretary of state, which indicated that counties that had not finalized the recount would no longer be obligated to complete it.
McCormick secured victory by a margin of over 16,000 votes, translating to 0.24%, a figure that research indicates is highly unlikely to be overturned by a recount. Although state regulations mandate an automatic recount for races within a 0.5% margin, candidates can opt to waive this process.
Originally announced on November 13, the recount was expected to wrap up next week. In a statement, Secretary of State Al Schmidt expressed gratitude to Pennsylvania’s election officials for their diligence in managing the election process, especially in counting millions of ballots and conducting necessary audits to ensure the accuracy of the votes cast during the November 5 election.
Overall, this decision underscores the importance of efficient election processes and the value of the hard work put in by election officials. As we move forward, it is crucial to focus on fostering public trust in the electoral system and ensuring that every vote is counted accurately.