Friday is the last day mail-in ballots that were postmarked by November 3rd could be received and counted in the state of Pennsylvania. But, mail-in ballots are not the only votes that remain to be counted.
Counties also began focusing Friday on provisional and military ballots.
York County began counting its provisional ballots starting at 10 a.m.
"We feel like we're under a microscope because we can't get this wrong," said York County President Commissioner Julie Wheeler. "It's not an option to get this wrong."
Updated numbers from York County as of Friday afternoon put the total number of provisional ballots the county had received at 5,784. In 2016, the county had only received 250. Wheeler provided one explanation for why the county is likely seeing more provisional ballots this election season.
"With the deadline to request a mail-in ballot being only one week before the election, we know that there were folks who did not get their mail-in ballots in the mail. We know the postal service is on overload. And so, some of the provisional ballots, and we believe a majority of them, are due to folks who requested a mail-in ballot and that ballot did not arrive," said Wheeler.
Watchers and authorized representatives for both parties and all candidates, have been allowed to participate in overseeing the counting of provisional ballots. Within the state, provisional ballots must be counted up to 7 days after the election. The county board of elections certify that the voters are eligible to vote and that they also did not attempt to vote twice via a mail-in ballot. .
As for if Wheeler thought provisional ballots may greatly impact the outcome of races in York County, she said she'd rather not speculate but she "wouldn't speculate it's going to change at least the candidates here dramatically. You know, how it's stacking up now."
Provisional ballots are traditionally counted after the polls and absentee ballots are counted. On Friday, four county workers were placed in charge of processing the provisional ballots. Counting was set to end in York County at 4 p.m. and begin again on Saturday. Wheeler did not speculate how long the counting would take. She said the timeline would also depend on if the county received any objections from either political party.
If you voted by provisional ballot, track your ballot here.
York County Commissioner Doug Hoke assured voters that he is 'confident' in the system. When asked if he was concerned of any possibility of fraud he said, "I have not seen any reason to think that there's been any fraud or anything going on behind the scenes. We have cameras in our areas that people can watch the processing, you know, the counting and the review of the ballots."
Hoke also said he was not surprised at the length of time it was taking to have final results in this election. York leaders had warned before the election that it would take time to count mail-in and absentee ballots, which totaled to 77,116 in the county. A total of 90,813 were requested.
"I know York County has been very efficient in the counting of its mail-in ballots," said Hoke.
Who is eligible for a provisional ballot? Read the guidelines per the PA Dept. of State:
- You were issued but did not successfully vote an absentee or mail‐in ballot and you do not surrender your ballot at the polling place to be spoiled.
- You returned a completed absentee or mail‐in ballot that was rejected by the county board of elections and you believe you are eligible to vote.
- Your name was not in the poll book or supplemental poll book.
- For example, you reported to the wrong precinct; or
- You did not report a recent change in residence to the county election office.
- You are required to show ID, but cannot show ID.
- Your eligibility was challenged by an election official.
- There is a special court order with respect to your registration status.
- There is a special court order related to extending the hours of voting.
- You believe that you are registered in a political party, but your voter record indicates otherwise (for primary elections only).
Also still hanging in the balance, military votes. Those votes must be postmarked by 11:59 p.m., November 2 and received by 5:00 PM on the 7th day after the election