Pennsylvania Senate recount begins for Casey-McCormick race
PENNSYLVANIA - Ballots are being counted once again as one of the state's crucial races remains highly contested weeks after Election Day.
A mandatory statewide recount for the U.S. Senate election between Democratic incumbent Sen. Bob Casey and Republican David McCormick began at 8 a.m. Wednesday in Northeast Philadelphia.
The Associated Press called the race for McCormick earlier this month, concluding that not enough ballots remained to be counted for Casey to take the lead.
Currently, McCormick holds a 0.2 percent lead over Casey by approximately 16,000 votes out of more than 7 million ballots counted.
Under Pennsylvania law, an automatic statewide recount is triggered by a 0.5 percent margin.
Counties were required to begin the recount no later than November 20, and must finish by noon on November 26.
PA Senate race: State high court orders counties not to count disputed ballots
Pennsylvania’s state Supreme Court is weighing in on a flashpoint amid ongoing vote counting in the U.S. Senate election between Democratic Sen. Bob Casey and Republican David McCormick.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ordered counties not to count disputed ballots that lack a correct handwritten date on the return envelope.
The order is a win for McCormick, whose campaign called it a "massive setback" for Casey.
Statewide, the number of mail-in ballots with wrong or missing dates on the return envelope could be in the thousands.
Philadelphia’s three City Commissioners, two Democrats and a Republican who run elections, gathered before reporters Wednesday to call the election, "safe, secure, accurate" but also unfinished with the recount total expected Monday.
Commissioner Deeley complained 36,604 city voters cast ballots for President, only neglecting the so-called "under ballot," including the tight Senate race.
"Your vote matters this should serve as a wake-up call for all votes in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania these down ballot races they matter," said Deeley.
Estimated to cost $1 million,, McCormick’s spokesperson writes, "While it is Senator Casey’s prerogative to seek a recount, it is a waste of time and taxpayer money."
The Casey campaign argues it "will continue to fight to ensure Pennsylvanians' voices are heard and eligible voters can participate in our democracy."
607 mail-in votes in the city, with inaccurate dates written by voters, will not be counted after a Pa. Supreme Court ruling. Unlikely to impact the Senate race say the Commissioners, neither will the recount.
"Typically, you don’t see any changes with the recounts," said City Commissioner Omar Sabir.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.