CIARROCCHI: Thank you, Commissioner Ellis-Marseglia
Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia, we thank you. On behalf of those of us who support the rule of law, and those of us who were trying to get Pennsylvanians—and even our fellow Americans—to pay attention to the games being played by Bob Casey and his activist lawyers, we sincerely thank you.
After the multi-year, multi-billion dollar campaign ended on Nov. 5, voters were exhausted. Most people wanted a break from politics—many activists, too. There was still vote counting to be done—lawyers’ never-ending ballot challenges; election board hearings; and, appeals over mail-in ballots’ signatures and dates (or, lack thereof), machine errors and, the now infamous “provisional ballots” issued on Election Day.
Who but the nerdiest of election nerds, lawyers, or activists pays attention to that dull, drawn-out process? No one. But, not any more. Thanks, Diane!
As Bob Casey’s lawyers—who parachuted in from D.C. and across America—were making illogical and illegal arguments across our state, especially before Democrat-run Boards of Election (aka County Commissioners) in Allegheny, Montgomery, Centre, Philadelphia, and in Bucks County, Dave McCormick’s supporters and attorneys were trying to get the legacy media, and their GOP colleagues across Pennsylvania to notice. They were trying to get the RNC and the Trump-Vance team to notice.
And, then…Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia, sitting high-atop her commissioner’s chair, atop her ruling dais, proclaimed to the audience, and everyone watching on social media, loudly, proudly and arrogantly: “We all know that precedent by a court doesn’t matter anymore in this country and people violate laws any time they want. So for me, if I violate a law, it’s because I want a court to pay attention…”
Again, thank you, Diane. You showed your arrogance, your elitism, and how out of touch many leftwing politicians have become. In her speech, she embodied the mindset that harkens back to the COVID-era: “I’m in charge and I get to make the rules.”
Now, Pennsylvanians, and most Americans know that Bob Casey is allowing leftwing activist-attorneys to make ridiculous, illogical and illegal arguments. To not only try to change the outcome of this election, but to tilt the scales for Democrats in 2026.
Ellis-Marseglia took the boring process of counting votes and arguing over the election code and brought it to light—better than any law professor and TV analyst.
Since election night, Casey attorneys have argued, with a straight face, for election boards and judges to ignore clearly-written Pennsylvania Election law. Casey’s lawyers argued for: ballots to be counted even when the “voter” isn’t registered to vote; for mail-in ballots with no voter signature; for mail-in ballots with no date or the wrong date; and, for ballots cast by voters in one county, yet they live in another.
Most county boards of election rejected these arguments—often unanimously. Some, voted to accept many of those ballots—often over the objection of the Republican Commissioner.
But, Diane must have heard what was happening in Pittsburgh and Norristown, in Philadelphia and State College—and, thought: “Hold my beer!”
She was going to accept these ballots—in violation of the statute and in clear violation of Supreme Court cases ruling that such ballots shall Not be counted. Plus, she had to give a speech to draw attention to her vote. She wanted to proclaim that she knew she was violating the law: She. Just. Didn’t. Care!
Then, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled, again—this time on her actions, and those of her colleagues. They left no doubt. The Court ruled—with its share of ALL CAPS— that the ballots shall Not be counted.
Democrat Justice David Wecht of Allegheny County issued a separate opinion to underscore his frustration, quoting the late US Justice Felix Frankfurter: “If one man can be allowed to determine for himself what the law is, every man can. That means first chaos, then tyranny. The greater the power that defies the law the less tolerant this Court be of defiance.”
As they say on Twitter/X: “Boom!”
Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia reminded the taxpayers of Bucks County who she is—and, what she thinks of the law, and them.
All too often, county commissioners—or township supervisors or school board members—act outside of the spotlight. We don’t notice what they do. Until…
The Chester County Democrat Commissioners and their colleagues serving as the Prison Board came to light when their lax security allowed the now infamous convicted murderer, Danilo Cavalcante, to escape. And, their arrogance kept them from notifying the public for hours. That offered us into a window into how un-seriously they take criminal justice—and, how unaccountable they feel to voters.
The same for the school board members who yelled at parents during COVID.
It’s amazing what local officials will do and say when they think no one is watching, or, when they think they’re untouchable.
Ellis-Marseglia pulled the veil back in Bucks County. Now, we all will watch how votes are counted. Very closely.
As for elections, I live by three principles: Easy to vote. Hard to cheat. Results we can trust. Casey’s lawyers and Ellis-Marseglia tried to take away points two and three.
Now, all of America knows that they don’t really respect the law—or the voters.
We’ll be watching from now on. Thank you, Diane.
