Bucks County, Pennsylvania Democrat apologizes for controversial ballots remark

A Democratic Pennsylvania election official issued a public apology on Wednesday for her controversial remarks regarding court precedent in the midst of the recount in the U.S. Senate race in the state. Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia, a Democrat, faced backlash after voting to count provisional ballots that were missing one of the required voter signatures, despite being informed by a county attorney that the state Supreme Court had ruled against such ballots being counted.

During a meeting last week, Ellis-Marseglia made a statement that quickly went viral on social media, saying, “We all know that precedent by a court doesn’t matter anymore in this country and people violate laws any time they want.” She defended her decision, stating that she was prioritizing the importance of counting every vote.

However, in a packed meeting filled with outraged attendees calling for her resignation, Ellis-Marseglia offered a public apology. She admitted that her emotions had gotten the best of her during the previous meeting and expressed regret for her choice of words. She clarified that her intention was to highlight the issue of provisional ballots that were not properly signed by judges of elections, rather than dismissing the significance of court precedent.

Ellis-Marseglia acknowledged that as an election official, she is held to a higher standard and expressed remorse for her comments. She also addressed the misinterpretation of her reference to court precedent, clarifying that she was specifically referring to the United States Supreme Court and the impact of decisions like Roe v. Wade.

Despite facing criticism and backlash, Ellis-Marseglia emphasized the importance of learning from the situation and the challenges of navigating the media landscape. She expressed regret for taking her frustrations out on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and recognized the complexities of their decisions.

Following her public apology, Ellis-Marseglia revealed that she had received numerous threatening messages, including death threats against her and her family. The initial clip of her controversial remarks sparked widespread condemnation on social media, with conservatives and public figures weighing in on the situation.

As the recount in the U.S. Senate election between Democratic Sen. Bob Casey and Republican David McCormick continues, Pennsylvania’s state Supreme Court issued a ruling on mail-in ballots lacking a correct handwritten date on the return envelope. The ongoing recount has been met with legal challenges and disputes, with Casey refusing to concede the race despite the initial call in favor of McCormick by The Associated Press.

As the recount progresses, tensions remain high, and county officials are navigating a complex legal landscape. The statewide recount began on Wednesday and must conclude by November 26th. The outcome of the Senate race in Pennsylvania remains uncertain, with McCormick currently leading by a narrow margin.

In conclusion, the recount in Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate race has sparked controversy and legal challenges, highlighting the importance of upholding election integrity and following legal procedures. The public apology from Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia serves as a reminder of the accountability and responsibility that election officials hold in ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process.