(WHTM) - Pennsylvania's U.S. Senate race is still not official despite Republican Dave McCormick calling for incumbent Democrat Bob Casey to concede. A recount is coming but some counties still haven't finished their first count.
On Thursday, a lawsuit by Republicans against every Pennsylvania county argued undated or misdated mail ballots must be tossed out. There are even more legal challenges, some ballot by ballot.
"And it will require the board of elections at the county level to vote, to not count them. So that's why that process takes so long or it seems to take so long," Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt told Dennis Owens on Thursday morning.
McCormick's lead is north of 20,000 votes but within the 0.5% margin triggering an automatic recount.
"We don't call winners or losers," said Schmidt. "We report vote totals."
However, a slow process has critics quick to cry foul. The Republican National Committee incorrectly said it needs "to stop radical Democrats from counting illegal ballots as Bob Casey tries to steal the election."
Schmidt says the system is working exactly how it's supposed to.
"And recounts are mandatory when it's less than a half a percent. And it's not any indication that anything is amiss. It's something that's required by law and should only give people greater confidence in the election results," said Schmidt.
The recount will cost taxpayers about $1 million and it must be completed by November 26.
In a statement Wednesday, the McCormick campaign said his "lead is insurmountable."
"A recount will be a waste of time and taxpayer money, but it is Senator Casey’s prerogative," the campaign said. "Senator-Elect McCormick knows what it’s like to lose an election and is sure Senator Casey will eventually reach the right conclusion."
Casey has insisted that all votes be counted and on Tuesday thanked election workers.
"Their work will ensure Pennsylvanians’ voices are heard," said Casey.
