The Pennsylvania Department of State recently announced that the results of the state’s upcoming election may not be available on election night. The department emphasized in a social media post that delays in counting are expected, stating, “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.’” The post also directed readers to a website focused on fact-checking information related to Pennsylvania’s election process.
This announcement recalls the 2020 election, where early results initially suggested a lead for then-President Donald Trump. However, as mail-in ballots were counted, the race shifted in favor of Joe Biden, who was ultimately declared the winner in Pennsylvania. The extended counting process frustrated many observers who felt that election results should be available promptly after polls close.
Efforts to expedite the ballot counting process were discussed in Pennsylvania’s legislature, but no legislation allowing for pre-canvassing of ballots—an action that could have accelerated the process—was passed before the legislative session ended. Although the Pennsylvania House of Representatives approved a related initiative in May, it did not progress further, according to reports from The