Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia issued a public apology during a Wednesday board meeting after her recent comments about defying court precedent on election laws drew widespread criticism.
The controversy arose after she voted to count undated and misdated ballots, which the Pennsylvania Supreme Court had ruled ineligible.
Ellis-Marseglia’s remarks from a prior Board of Elections meeting, including “precedent by a court doesn’t matter anymore,” went viral, sparking accusations that she undermined public trust in the electoral process.
She defended her actions at the meeting, stating that her vote was intended to highlight election law inconsistencies.
The backlash led to calls for her resignation and prosecution during a packed commissioners’ meeting.
Critics argued that her decision defied established state election law and jeopardized the integrity of elections.
Republican committee chair Pat Poprik criticized the board’s handling of election issues, urging adherence to legal rulings.
Ellis-Marseglia, however, clarified her intent during her apology, emphasizing her lifelong commitment to fair elections.
She acknowledged her comments had caused confusion and distress, which led to threats against her, county employees, and individuals sharing her last name.
Voting rights attorney Marion Schneider from the ACLU of Pennsylvania stated that Ellis-Marseglia’s and other Democratic commissioners’ actions did not violate laws.
According to Schneider, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court allowed ballots to be segregated from certified results, ensuring no lawbreaking occurred.
Legal battles over disputed ballots persist, with approximately 600 in Bucks County under scrutiny.
These include provisional ballots with poll worker errors and mail-in ballots with incorrect or missing dates.
A Bucks County judge heard arguments on 200 such ballots Wednesday, but no decision was announced.
The controversy unfolds as Pennsylvania’s Senate race faces an automatic recount.
The dispute over ballot handling has drawn national attention, particularly as Bucks County politics become a focal point in debates over election integrity.
While no criminal complaints have been officially filed against Ellis-Marseglia or her colleague, Vice Chairman Bob Harvie, the issue has amplified tensions in the community.
Despite the turbulence, Ellis-Marseglia reiterated her dedication to fair elections, admitting that her passion led to regrettable remarks.
The board remains scrutinized as legal proceedings continue and public trust hangs in the balance.
