Bucks County Board of Commissioners Chair Diane Ellis-Marseglia (D) is retracting her earlier comments after a public backlash surrounding her apparent willingness to count illegal ballots in the Senate election between Democratic incumbent Bob Casey and Republican challenger Dave McCormick. The comments sparked concerns about election integrity and adherence to Pennsylvania’s laws regarding mail-in ballots.
Ellis-Marseglia’s initial statements, made in the heat of the close race, seemed to suggest that she would disregard the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s order not to count undated or misdated mail-in ballots. “People violate laws any time they want,” Ellis-Marseglia said, implying that if she broke the law, it would be in pursuit of ensuring every vote was counted. This statement quickly drew condemnation, with critics arguing that it undermined the democratic process.
BUCKS COUNTY OPENLY ADMITS THEY WILL NOT OBEY THE LAW. @JackPosobiec talks about the county commissioners that will not listen to the Supreme Court and count ALL the votes, unsigned or illegal. Jack and Kevin want to make Diane Marseglia famous. @KevinPosobiec pic.twitter.com/SI0rNfqElA
— Real America's Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) November 15, 2024
The controversy intensified as McCormick demanded a recount after he was declared the winner by multiple news outlets, with Casey refusing to concede due to the narrow margin between them. Pennsylvania law states that ballots with missing or incorrect dates should not be counted, yet Ellis-Marseglia’s comments appeared to undermine this rule.
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley accused Democrats of attempting to “steal the seat” by pushing for the inclusion of illegal ballots, calling it a form of left-wing interference.
On Monday, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) addressed the issue, acknowledging the legal confusion surrounding undated ballots but firmly stating that laws must be followed. “Any insinuation that our laws can be ignored or do not matter is irresponsible and does damage the faith in our electoral process,” Shapiro said, emphasizing the importance of respecting the law to maintain public trust.
Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia in Pennsylvania on Wednesday apologized for claiming that a "precedent by a court doesn’t matter anymore” PA county official apologizes after facing backlash. https://t.co/k3d5aMF0uH
— Randall Brink (@randallbrink) November 21, 2024
Later in the day, Ellis-Marseglia attempted to walk back her previous remarks, claiming that her statement had been misinterpreted. “I apologize for all the upset and confusion it caused,” she said, blaming the comment on an “inartfully worded statement.” She clarified that she was simply seeking clarity from the court’s ruling, which reaffirmed that undated ballots should not be counted.
Bucks county cheating again,that elected official should resign or be recalled 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸we have a mandate step aside the Supreme Court in you state gave a ruling follow it 🐀🐀🐀🐀
— SammyKaye (@proudNavyMan) November 21, 2024
This backpedal, while meant to quell the controversy, highlights the ongoing tension between election law and public perceptions of election fairness. As the recount continues, questions about the integrity of the voting process and the role of local officials in interpreting election laws remain at the forefront of the debate.
