Diane Ellis-Marseglia, chair of the Bucks County Board of Commissioners, has pulled back on comments she made regarding the counting of illegal ballots in the Senate election between Bob Casey and Dave McCormick raised concerns about election integrity. Ellis-Marseglia had suggested that she might count undated or misdated ballots, despite a ruling from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court that such ballots should not be included in the count.

Ellis-Marseglia’s remarks were made in the aftermath of McCormick’s declared victory, but with Casey demanding a recount due to the narrow margin. In discussing the recount, Ellis-Marseglia stated, “People violate laws any time they want,” signaling that she might be willing to defy the court’s order in order to ensure that every vote was counted. This comment quickly drew sharp criticism, with many accusing her of undermining 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 issue of undated mail-in ballots has been a point of contention in Pennsylvania elections, and Ellis-Marseglia’s comments added fuel to the fire. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley accused Democrats of attempting to “steal the seat” by including illegal ballots in the count. He called the actions an example of “left-wing election interference” that could erode voter trust.

Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) addressed the controversy, acknowledging the legal confusion surrounding undated ballots but emphasizing that state laws must be followed. “The rule of law matters in this Commonwealth,” Shapiro said, rejecting any insinuation that laws could be ignored for political gain.

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, Ellis-Marseglia attempted to clarify her comments, claiming they were “inartfully worded” and apologizing for any confusion caused. She stated that she was only seeking clarity from the court’s decision, which reaffirmed that undated ballots should not be counted. Her apology did little to quell the concerns raised about election integrity, particularly in light of the ongoing recount.

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 episode underscores the challenges facing election officials in swing states like Pennsylvania, where tight races and complex legal issues continue to fuel political and legal battles. As the recount continues, the role of local officials in ensuring fair and legal elections remains a key point of debate.