Scott Presler, PA citizens blast Bucks County election board for violations as ballot recount underway

Prominent conservative activist Scott Presler made an appearance at the Bucks County Commissioners Meeting on Wednesday in Pennsylvania, criticizing the board counting misdated or undated ballots despite a court order. Presler declared that he would spend the next three years in attempts to take back the county, which lies north of Philadelphia, at all levels. Numerous citizens also called out the board, expressing their discontent. 

Presler noted that the county flipped red in the 2024 election and "for the first time in modern history, there are more registered Republicans than Democrats here in this county." A recount is underway in the state in the tight Senate race between incumbent Democrat Bob Casey and Republican challenger Dave McCormick.

He said that voters were "disenfranchised" in the county and thanked RNC co-chairs Michael Whatley and Lara Trump for suing after people were turned away during early voting, which resulted in three extra days for voters to cast their ballots early.

Presler quoted Democratic Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia, who said, "Precedent by a court doesn’t matter anymore in this country. People violate laws anytime they want. And if I violate this law, it’s because I want a court to pay attention to it." That same commissioner later abruptly called a 5-minute recess as a resident was talking and left the room.

"Well, Commissioner, the court already ruled that undated and misdated mail-in ballots could not be counted. You knew that going into the meeting," he said. 

He congratulated President-elect Donald Trump and Senator-elect Dave McCormick for winning their seats, adding in relation to the latter, "We are not going to allow Democrats to steal this seat from us."

Presler told the board, "Peacefully, we are coming for your seat 2027 if you don't resign today, I am coming for your seat peacefully. And Harvey, Commissioner Harvey, this goes for you too. You are complicit. Mark Elias and his cronies must be disbarred from practicing law in Pennsylvania, any of his cronies for the misconduct that they did. I want you to know that I am going to spend all of my time in Bucks County for the next three years, making sure that we take back this county. Thank you to every single patriot that showed up today."

Both Ellis-Marseglia and Robert Harvie Jr were last elected to their seats in November of 2023. Each member of the board is elected for 4-year terms, meaning the two are up for reelection in 2027.

A citizen also cited Diane Ellis-Marseglia’s quote and added, "You, being the slick politician you were, you didn’t even say yes or nod your head. Your eyes were closed and your face was expressionless. Bob, this was your opportunity to be a leader," referencing Harvie. 

"Diane’s actually right, though. The law doesn’t matter anymore in this country because people like you violate it all the time," she continued. "and all we the people do is sit here and complain. Well, I want to let you know that I’m not going to take it anymore."

She said that she had filed a criminal complaint against Ellis-Marseglia and Harvie for breaking multiple laws. Countless other citizens expressed their discontent with the board over the nearly two-and-a-half-hour-long meeting.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court initially ruled before the election that ballots with missing or incorrect dates would not be counted. After it was revealed that Bucks County and others were not complying with the ruling, the Supreme Court reiterated their decision.