HARRISBURG — Democrats will add to their majority in the Pennsylvania House next year, but it’s still unclear by how much.
In Lancaster County’s 41st House District, Democrat Brad Chambers leads incumbent Republican state Rep. Brett Miller by 30 votes. That tally includes unchallenged provisional, military, and overseas ballots that were added to the county’s election website Friday afternoon.
Seven provisional ballots were held from that total due to them being challenged, according to a county spokesperson. There are also 14 outstanding overseas and military ballots that have until 5 p.m. on Tuesday to reach the elections office.
The outcome of the 41st District race will not affect control of the state House. The Associated Press has called 111 races for the Democrats, while Democratic candidates in two other competitive races — in the 143rd and 147th Districts — have declared victory. That would give the party 113 seats in the 203-member chamber.
The AP has also not called the race in the 12th House District. However, the Democratic incumbent there, Brandon Dukes, has conceded.
Christa Miller, chief clerk of elections, said her staff in Lancaster County has “prioritized” the 41st District count because they know there is broad interest in the results, she said, and they would count provisionals throughout the day Friday.
The county Board of Elections will meet next Thursday to hear challenges to provisional ballots from the candidates and political parties. After the board issues a determination in each case, challengers have another two days after that to appeal those decisions to the Court of Common Pleas.
There is a path to a recount in the 41st District. According to the Department of State, it would require three constituents to file a petition challenging the results of their home voting precinct with the Court of Common Pleas. Those petitions each cost $50.
"Our campaign will accept the final results once they are available, but we are determined to first ensure that every ballot — provisional, mail, in-person, and write-in — has been accounted for,” Chambers said in a statement Thursday. “I’m incredibly proud of our campaign team and Lancaster County for showing that this district is competitive, and I’m eager to continue, in whatever capacity I can, to make this community a place where people can live good and live well."
Chambers’ campaign did not immediately respond to an email Friday.
Neither Brett Miller’s campaign nor the House Republican Campaign Committee responded to a request for comment.
Pennsylvania Democrats are already celebrating this year’s election results. The party flipped the state Senate for the first time in decades, and with gains in the House and the reelection of Gov. Josh Shapiro, the party will hold a trifecta in Harrisburg.
That power will allow Democrats to pursue a number of policy priorities they say Republicans have stalled, like raising the minimum wage, increasing funding for mass transit, and codifying abortion access.
House Democrats will hold leadership elections on Tuesday, according to a spokesperson.
Spotlight PA’s Kate Huangpu contributed reporting.
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