Get ready, because Pennsylvania has just dropped a bombshell that’s giving us serious 2020 flashbacks. The Pennsylvania Department of State recently announced that the results of the upcoming election might not be available on election night. The department emphasized that delays in counting are expected and cautioned, “Pennsylvanians won’t always know the final results of all races on election night. Any changes in results that occur as counties continue to count ballots are not evidence that an election is ‘rigged.’”
Sound familiar? It should. Remember the 2020 election, when early results had everyone thinking President Trump was cruising to victory? However, as mail-in ballots were tallied, the tide turned, and Joe Biden emerged victorious in Pennsylvania. The prolonged counting process left many on edge, biting their nails and refreshing their browsers every five seconds, waiting for the final verdict.
Fast forward to today, and it seems history might just repeat itself. Efforts to speed up the ballot counting process were discussed in Pennsylvania’s legislature, but no significant legislation allowing for the pre-canvassing of ballots—an action that could have accelerated the process—was passed before the legislative session ended. Even though the Pennsylvania House of Representatives approved a related initiative in May, it didn’t get the green light to move forward.
The announcement comes with a heavy dose of déjà vu. The Pennsylvania Department of State even directed readers to a special website focused on fact-checking information related to the election process, likely anticipating the maelstrom of speculation and rumors that will ensue.
As a critical battleground state, Pennsylvania’s 19 electoral votes are like golden tickets in the presidential race. If the election is closely contested, it may take several days (or even longer) before the final results are known—especially if Pennsylvania’s vote is the deciding factor. Imagine the suspense!
Rachel Orey, an elections expert with the Bipartisan Policy Center, added a dash of realism to the mix, saying, “If the electoral college comes down to Pennsylvania or Wisconsin, we might still face a long period where we don’t know the winner.” So, brace yourselves for a potential rollercoaster ride.
Polls have shown President Trump maintaining a lead over Biden in Pennsylvania throughout the year, though his advantage narrows when pitted against Kamala Harris. An August poll from Trafalgar had Trump ahead by two points against Harris, while a New York Times/Siena poll showed Harris leading by four points. The takeaway? The race in Pennsylvania could be razor-thin, making these potential delays even more significant.
In a nutshell, Pennsylvania’s announcement is setting the stage for another high-stakes, nail-biting election night (or week).
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