The still-pending result of Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate election between incumbent Democrat Bob Casey and GOP challenger Dave McCormick remained uncertain Tuesday, but the Pennsylvania Department of State (DOS) expects a clearer picture to emerge after the 5 p.m. deadline for counties to submit their unofficial vote tallies. 

However, the DOS cautioned in a statement, that picture won’t be a definitive one. 

The Associated Press called the race for McCormick on Thursday. But the Pennsylvania Secretary of State noted not long after the AP call that there were “at least 100,000 ballots remaining to be adjudicated, including provisional, military, overseas, and Election Day votes.”

Casey has not conceded, with his campaign pointing to the number of outstanding ballots to be counted. He reiterated in a statement Tuesday morning that across Pennsylvania, “close to 7 million people cast their votes in a free and fair election. Our county election officials will finish counting those votes, just like they do in every election. The American democratic process was born in Pennsylvania and that process will play out. 

I want to thank the election workers across our Commonwealth who have been working diligently over the weekend. Their work will ensure Pennsylvanians’ voices are heard.” 

McCormick held a victory party in Pittsburgh on Friday, and on Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s office said McCormick and Senator-elect Ruben Gallego of Arizona had been invited to freshman Senator orientation.

But the DOS explained in its statement that the result of the race was still to be determined. “As Pennsylvania counties continue the arduous process of canvassing provisional ballots, the results on PA’s election returns website after 5 p.m. today will not reflect the final vote count,” Tuesday’s DOS statement reads. “While the counties strive to provide us with their unofficial results, many counties still have challenged ballots that must be considered at a board of elections hearing”

If the vote margin between Casey and McCormick is at or below 0.5%, a recount would be triggered under state law.

“Once the Secretary receives unofficial returns from all counties, he will determine whether an automatic statewide recount has been triggered in the U.S. Senate race,” the DOS said. “If he determines a recount is triggered, the Department will announce that via press release. That recount must be completed by noon on Nov. 26,” which is two days before Thanksgiving.

This is a developing story

Timeless Tale

Opens Wednesday 20

Northern Stage presents Disney’s consummate musical Beauty and the Beast at Barrette Center for the Arts in White River Junction. The enduring tale follows bookish Belle, her beastly captor and their unlikely budding romance. The moral of the story rings true no matter your age or creed: Learn to look beyond appearances, and magic just might happen.

Print On

Saturday 16

The Herald’s 150th Anniversary Celebration at Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph toasts the White River Valley newspaper’s sesquicentennial in style. Readers mark the momentous occasion with historical storytelling, live music and a canapé buffet — and proceeds benefit the paper’s future operations. From one periodical to another: Let’s hear it for the weeklies!

Pitch Perfect

Friday 15 & Saturday 16

Opera Vermont’s world premiere of Truman & Nancy at Barn Opera in Brandon brings the haunting story of Truman Capote’s legacy to the stage. Based on Andre Parks’ graphic novel Capote in Kansas, the poignant one-act explores the iconic yet troubled writer’s artistic choices and relationships as he grapples with his crowning literary achievement, In Cold Blood.

Euro Trip

Friday 15-Sunday 17

The spirit of the season is alight in the heart of downtown Burlington with the return of BTV Winter Market at City Hall Park. The annual European-style outdoor market showcases a rotating group of local makers and vendors every weekend through December 22. The festive atmosphere is made even merrier with cozy fires, games and music.

Tickled Pink

Saturday 16

Pink Floyd tribute band Floydian Trip rocket to our side of the moon for an evening of stellar ’70s sounds and visuals at Barre Opera House. The group combines lasers, projections and special effects with stunning note-for-note renditions of crowd-pleasing favorites. The end result? An authentic conjuring of psychedelic vibes from the real-deal tours of yore.

Communal Offering

Saturday 16

After sold-out screenings at the Vermont International Film Festival last month, Far Out: Life On & After the Commune is back by popular demand at the Savoy Theater in Montpelier. The documentary illuminates 1960s counterculture in rural America, using both contemporary interviews and original archival footage to highlight communes in Guilford, Vt., and Montague, Mass.

Snapshot Decisions

Ongoing

Vermont artist Ross Connelly‘s “Protest” exhibition at T.W. Wood Gallery in Montpelier couldn’t be more pertinent to election month. Taken in the late 1960s, the black-and-white photographs showcase historic moments of social upheaval and political unrest. The artist hopes these images encourage dialogue, noting: “Democracy depends on that.”