In a dramatic turn of events in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, the Democratic-controlled election board is pushing to count mail-in ballots that lack a required voter signature, directly defying a recent court ruling. This move has sparked outrage, with critics accusing the board of deliberately breaking election laws to benefit Democratic incumbent Senator Bob Casey Jr. in his tight race against Republican challenger Dave McCormick.
The Pennsylvania State Supreme Court, controlled by Democrats, ruled before the 2024 election that mail-in ballots missing a crucial voter signature should not be counted. Despite this clear directive, the Bucks County Election Board—led by Chairwoman Diane Ellis-Marseglia—is insisting on including these disqualified ballots in the county’s final tally.
At a contentious Thursday board meeting, Ellis-Marseglia made her intentions clear:
“People violate laws any time they want. So, for me, if I violate this law, it’s because I want a court to pay attention. There’s nothing more important than counting votes.”
Ellis-Marseglia’s comments drew sharp criticism, particularly from the board’s sole Republican member, who objected to the inclusion of the invalid ballots.
The stakes in this Senate race couldn’t be higher. With over 98% of precincts reporting, McCormick holds a lead of more than 25,000 votes. Several media outlets have already projected McCormick as the winner, but the inclusion of potentially thousands of disqualified ballots could significantly narrow that gap.
Senator Bob Casey Jr., seeking a fourth term, has relied heavily on mail-in ballots to boost his numbers in previous elections. Counting the disputed ballots could be a last-ditch effort to close the margin, raising concerns about election integrity.
Election law experts are raising alarms about the implications of Bucks County’s actions. Critics argue that openly defying a court order undermines the rule of law and sets a dangerous precedent.
One legal analyst noted:
“The election board’s decision to count these ballots, despite a clear Supreme Court ruling, is an affront to the legal process. It’s one thing to challenge a ruling in court, but it’s another to outright ignore it while admitting to breaking the law.”
Some observers have compared this situation to legal battles in states like Arizona, Michigan, and Georgia, where former President Donald Trump and his allies are facing prosecution for alleged election interference. Trump’s team has argued that their efforts to contest election results and propose alternate slates of electors were lawful. In contrast, the Bucks County Election Board’s admission of knowingly violating the law to achieve a political outcome has drawn comparisons for its brazenness.
This controversy extends beyond Pennsylvania. Democrats’ willingness to defy court rulings in one of the nation’s most critical swing states could fuel further debate over election integrity heading into the 2026 midterms.
Marc Elias, a prominent Democratic election lawyer, is rumored to be advising Pennsylvania Democrats on this issue. Elias has previously been involved in legal battles over voting rights and election procedures, often arguing for more lenient ballot-counting standards.
If Bucks County’s decision stands, it could embolden other election boards across the country to similarly defy court rulings, escalating tensions in future elections.
Republican leaders have condemned the Bucks County board’s actions, accusing Democrats of undermining the electoral process. McCormick’s campaign has already signaled its intention to challenge the inclusion of the disputed ballots in court.
“The people of Pennsylvania deserve free, fair, and transparent elections,” a McCormick spokesperson said. “Ignoring clear legal standards to manipulate the outcome of an election is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”
Former President Trump also weighed in on the controversy, calling the board’s actions “a blatant attempt to steal the election” and urging Republicans to fight back.
The battle over Bucks County’s ballots is far from over. The decision to include disqualified mail-in votes will likely face immediate legal challenges, potentially escalating to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court or even the U.S. Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, the tension between adhering to established election laws and ensuring every vote is counted continues to fuel a broader national debate. For now, the spotlight remains on Bucks County, where the outcome of this Senate race could hinge on whether or not the disputed ballots are included.
As legal proceedings unfold, this case could set a precedent for how election disputes are handled in the future, raising critical questions about the balance between voter access and election integrity.
The Democrat Bucks County Commissioners just voted to count misdated and undated mail in ballots to try and help Bob Casey and one of them straight up says that she knows it’s illegal but simply does not care.
Dems are trying to steal an election in PA.pic.twitter.com/7KP4Qoy31b
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) November 14, 2024
