LEBANON, Pa. — Election officials across the Commonwealth will be counting ballots again after Secretary of State Al Schmidt announced a recount of the Pennsylvania Senate race.
The recount was triggered after the unofficial results showed Republican Dave McCormick leading Democratic incumbent Bob Casey by 27,000 votes.
In Lebanon County, election officials are preparing to get back to work after serving a long election cycle.
“Our regular staff is putting in 40-50 hours a week of just overtime, so we’re all exhausted already," said Sean Drasher, the election director for Lebanon County. “We are in need of a lot of extra help.”
Drasher said more than 71,000 ballots are scheduled to be recounted starting on Monday. He said his office is working to recruit at least 20 ballot canvassers.
“Asking them to come out for another week is tough," said Drasher. "We’ve gone to that well a lot of times, and it’s getting harder and harder to fill those spots.”
In the voter registration office, election workers have been working the phones for two days to try and call back volunteers. As of Thursday, only five volunteers have signed up to help with the recount.
“People want to be helpful, and they want to come in, [but] they are worn out from the election," said Joy Scarborough, the deputy director of the Lebanon County Voter Registration Office.
Election officials say they are thankful for the volunteers giving more of their time and are putting out a call to others to help serve their community.
“We need you for about two-and-a-half days," said Scarborough. "If you can only work one or two days, that’s fine. We’re still happy to have you.”
“I’m grateful for who we have," said Drasher. "Right now, we’re coming up a bit short and hopefully we can find a few more.”
Lebanon County residents who are interested in volunteering as ballot canvassers for the recount are being asked to call the county election office at (717) 228-4428.