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