The Pennsylvania Department of State has announced the cessation of a recount for the U.S. Senate race following the concession of incumbent Senator Bob Casey to Republican nominee Dave McCormick. An email, revealed by Votebeat and Spotlight PA, communicated to county election officials that Casey requested the recount to be terminated.
The email from Jonathan Marks, Deputy Secretary of State, indicated that counties yet to complete the recount for the U.S. Senate race are no longer obligated to do so. McCormick’s victory margin stands at over 16,000 votes, or 0.24%, a statistic that research suggests is highly unlikely to be altered through a recount.
State regulations mandate an automatic recount when the margin in a statewide race falls within 0.5%. However, the trailing candidate has the option to forgo this process. 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 dedicated efforts throughout the election cycle, noting the successful counting of millions of ballots and the ongoing audits ensuring every valid vote from the November 5 election is accurately accounted for.
This conclusion to the recount process highlights both the efficiency and effectiveness of Pennsylvania’s election administration. It reflects the commitment of local officials to uphold the integrity of the electoral process, providing a reassuring message to voters about the reliability of their democratic systems.