The Republican National Committee (RNC) has taken legal action in Pennsylvania, challenging the handling of mail ballots in a pivotal Senate race. This move comes amid ongoing tensions over election results.

In response to a state Supreme Court decision, the RNC filed two lawsuits to address issues with undated and incorrectly dated mail ballots in Pennsylvania's closely watched -- and still undecided -- Senate contest, as Fox News reports.

Initially, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled in favor of counting undated mail ballots, a decision that sparked controversy given its potential impact on the election outcome.

This ruling contradicted an earlier stance where the court had backed Republican efforts to exclude such ballots before the 2024 general election.

The dispute intensified when several county boards of election in Pennsylvania, including those overseen by the Philadelphia City Commissioners, opted to count these challenged ballots. This decision aligned with the Supreme Court’s later ruling, leading to further legal challenges by the RNC.

Legal Battles Escalate Amid Senate Race Uncertainty

RNC Chairman Michael Whatley took to Twitter to announce the lawsuits, expressing vehement opposition to the inclusion of what he termed "illegal ballots."

His statement highlighted the ongoing struggle between enforcing voting laws and accommodating the practical challenges of mail-in voting.

"Tonight the RNC is filing two new lawsuits -- in Bucks County and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court -- to STOP the counting of illegal ballots. We have won this court battle several times already," stated Whatley.

He further criticized Democrat strategies in the election, accusing Sen. Bob Casey of undermining democratic processes through his refusal to concede to GOP challenger, Sen.-elect Dave McCormick. McCormick currently holds a slight lead in the race, according to recent updates.

Counties Respond to Republican Legal Actions

The Philadelphia City Commissioners acknowledged the legal filings by the Republicans, emphasizing their commitment to reviewing the challenges. "Republicans filed a petition to the PA Supreme Court against all counties to attempt to stop all counties from counting these ballots. They also filed a statutory appeal challenging Bucks County’s decision to count undated and incorrectly dated mail ballots," they explained.

An unnamed RNC official voiced frustration over the repeated legal interventions by Democrats, suggesting a motive of financial gain at the expense of electoral integrity. "It's ridiculous. The court just ruled on this two weeks ago. And it's just very clear to us that Democrat lawyers and officials see a way to kind of make money off of Bob Casey by trying out this process, but Dave McCormick is already in D.C. to attend Senate orientation," the official said.

Timeline for Recount and Legal Resolutions Set

As the margin between the candidates remains narrow, Pennsylvania law has triggered an automatic statewide recount. Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announced that the recount process must commence by Nov. 20 and conclude by Nov. 26, with final results expected by Nov. 27.

This recount is critical in confirming the accuracy of the initial election results and ultimately determining the winner of the Senate seat.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court's decision to overturn the earlier Commonwealth Court ruling, which had declared the state law requiring a handwritten date on ballots unconstitutional, marks a significant moment in the legal saga surrounding this election. The GOP successfully appealed to reinstate the dating requirement, adding another layer of complexity to the recount process.

McCormick Prepares for Senate Amid Ongoing Legal Fight

Amid the legal battles, Sen.-elect Dave McCormick has begun participating in Senate orientation activities in Washington, D.C., signaling his readiness to assume office should he be confirmed as the winner. This proactive move by McCormick underscores the high stakes and contentious nature of this election.

Whatley's comments at the time of the Supreme Court's ruling reflected the broader Republican view that safeguarding the integrity of the ballot is paramount.

"The Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld the law, and the dated ballot requirement will be in effect for this election. Democrats have repeatedly tried to eliminate this important ballot safeguard, and we have stopped them each time," he stated.

The ongoing legal challenges and the recount process will continue to be closely watched, as they are crucial in determining not only the outcome of this particular Senate race but also in setting precedents for future elections involving mail-in voting discrepancies.