Unofficial results in Casey, McCormick race for US Senate trigger legally required recount

Unofficial results for Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate race have triggered a legally required automatic state recount.

Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt said that vote totals for incumbent Senator Bob Casey and challenger Dave McCormick are within the one-half of one percent margin that triggers a mandatory recount under state law.

As of Wednesday, unofficial results for all of Pennsylvania’s counties show the following results for the two candidates:

• Robert P. Casey Jr. – 3,350,972 (48.50%)
• David H. McCormick – 3,380,310 (48.93%)

Once every county finishes counting ballots, they will have to recount them. The recounts can begin no later than Nov. 20 and must be complete by noon on Nov. 26. All counties must report results to Schmidt by noon on Nov. 27.

As of Wednesday afternoon, county election officials reported having 60,366 uncounted provisional ballots and 20,155 uncounted mail-in and absentee ballots.

Schmidt estimates the recount will cost over $1 million in taxpayer funds.

This is the eighth recount automatic recount since the law passed in 2004. In 2022, McCormick’s primary race for the Republican candidacy against Dr. Mehmet Oz also ended in a recount, costing taxpayers $1,052,609.

Soon after the legally required recount was announced, the McCormick campaign issued a statement calling it a waste of time and taxpayer money because he has an “insurmountable” lead. The full statement reads:

“Senator-Elect McCormick’s lead is insurmountable, which the AP made clear in calling the race. A recount will be a waste of time and taxpayer money, but it is Senator Casey’s prerogative. Senator-Elect McCormick knows what it’s like to lose an election and is sure Senator Casey will eventually reach the right conclusion.”

The Casey campaign sent the following statement to Channel 11:

“My priority has always been standing up for the people of Pennsylvania. Across our Commonwealth, close to 7 million people cast their votes in a free and fair election. Our county election officials will finish counting those votes, just like they do in every election. The American democratic process was born in Pennsylvania and that process will play out.

“I want to thank the election workers across our Commonwealth who have been working diligently over the weekend. Their work will ensure Pennsylvanians’ voices are heard.”

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

©2024 Cox Media Group