Challenges delay certification of vote in Pennsylvania

Monday was the deadline for counties to certify primary votes in Pennsylvania. The state’s election calendar shows two events — election protests and recounts — can delay certification. There is an election protest over 95 mail-in ballots in Centre County. Luzerne County’s Republican primary for the 117th Legislative District is separated by three votes as of Monday afternoon and is being litigated by the candidates in county court to determine a final vote count. All other counties will certify, according to Jonathan Marks, Deputy Secretary for Elections and Commissions with the Department of State. Election results are unofficial until counties and the state certify them. The Department of State can issue a partial certification for all finalized races now and wait to certify any outstanding races later, or wait for all county certifications to be completed and certify everything at once.