Dozens of angry Pennsylvanians attended a Wednesday meeting of the Bucks County government to criticize the Democratic commissioners for endorsing the illegal counting of deficient ballots last week in the tight Senate race between incumbent Democratic Sen. Bob Casey and GOP challenger Dave McCormack, the latter of whom is currently ahead. The meeting marked the first since Democratic Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia openly dismissed existing legal precedent last Thursday, opting to count deficient ballots in defiance of a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling on the matter.
One by one, citizens took to the podium on Wednesday to condemn Bucks County Commissioners Diane Ellis-Marseglia and Bob Harvie, both Democrats, for their decision to support counting deficient ballots. Many demanded their resignation, accusing them of openly defying state law to aid the defeated Casey’s efforts to overturn the results of his race during a recount, the Daily Caller reported.
Officials in Centre, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties also attempted to count deficient ballots, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court had affirmed before Election Day that requiring handwritten dates on mail ballots is constitutional. On Monday, the court ruled that incorrectly-dated mail ballots cannot be counted, delivering a setback to Democrats unhappy with the results of the 2024 elections. Ellis-Marseglia explained and apologized for her comments that “precedent by a court doesn’t matter anymore in this country” because “people violate laws anytime they want” at the beginning of the meeting, making reference to the fall of Roe v. Wade in her apology.
Line to enter the #BucksCounty Commissioner’s meeting today. Meeting starts soon. pic.twitter.com/uFrAUOhX7t
— Joe Hogan (@Joe_Hogan_) November 20, 2024
Some attendees found her apology convincing, while the majority did not, the outlet noted. “I tried to listen to your apology, because everybody deserves a second chance. And you almost had me, until you arrogantly rolled your eyes numerous times,” said Mike Foti, a resident of Buckingham Township. “It’s not hitting with sincerity here, lady.” Some attendees criticized the Democrat commissioners for eroding public trust through their words and actions.
“How can the American people believe in the integrity of this election when these commissioners promised to disregard and break the law? The answer is, they cannot,” said Christine Figueroa, a resident of Buckingham Township. “These are elected officials who openly and blatantly admitted to disobeying the law. How can we ever have faith in their ability to uphold the law again? The answer is, we cannot, and they must resign immediately.”
#BreakingNews: A local Bucks County resident has come forward accusing the county commissioners of illegally counting and approving ballots that specifically favored Democrat candidates.
She announced her intent to pursue legal action against them, stating:
“I have decided to… pic.twitter.com/bdolRHlDbY
— Liberacrat™? (@Liberacrat) November 20, 2024
Patriots in Bucks County flooded the Commissioner’s meeting, demanding the immediate resignation of the members who voted to commit election fraud to help Bob Casey & Dems steal the Senate seat.
One lady finished her speech with a prayer, “Dear Lord, our God, we seek your… pic.twitter.com/RK7yLmkYBs
— George (@BehizyTweets) November 20, 2024
Scott Presler, a conservative activist instrumental in helping deliver Pennsylvania for Trump and other Republicans through voter registration and mobilization efforts, also spoke at the meeting. During his remarks, he vowed to campaign against Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia in her next election. Although not captured on video, Ellis-Marseglia reportedly responded to Presler with a defiant, “Have at it.”
Bucks County GOP Chairwoman Pat Poprik joined others in criticizing Commissioners Ellis-Marseglia and Bob Harvie, accusing them of tarnishing Bucks County’s reputation by blatantly disregarding the law. Joe Linus, a seasoned elections judge residing in Washington Crossing, said in his comments directed at Ellis-Marseglia and Harvie: “This past week, you violated your oaths of office knowingly and willfully, and against the advice of counsel, and allowed for the counting of illegal ballots.”
“And then you both voted to count illegal ballots … If, as a judge, I allowed ineligible voters to cast votes at the polls on election day, I would be promptly removed from office and prosecuted by the district attorney. The two of you make a mockery of our election process, and take away the faith that people have in the process. You two should be removed from office,” Linus added.
Some attendees called for the prosecution of the Democratic commissioners for openly violating the law. Two outraged citizens even held up placards reading “TYRANT” in large black letters throughout the meeting. “Robert, you need to show some more respect for members of the public, because you’re a public servant and you work for us. I watch these commissioner meetings and the way you sometimes respond to people who don’t agree with you comes off as very smug and condescending,” said John Zappe of Buckingham Township. “What is there to be proud of? I don’t understand. You guys are doing an awful job and should just resign at this point. This guy over here has been holding a sign up, and that’s exactly what you guys are: you guys are a bunch of corrupt tyrants.”
Following the public comment period, attendees loudly called on Commissioners Diane Ellis-Marseglia and Bob Harvie to resign. Amid the heckling, Ellis-Marseglia repeatedly banged her gavel in an attempt to restore order, but the jeers continued, prompting the commissioners to adjourn the meeting, the Caller reported.
Disclaimer: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.