A Pennsylvania appellate court ordered Thursday that President Donald Trump’s campaign must be allowed to observe the remaining ballot counting process.
Judge Christine Fizzano Cannon’s order reversed a prior ruling against the Trump campaign and allows campaign officials to observe ballot counters from six feet away to comply with coronavirus social distancing practices.
US President Donald Trump, flanked by Karen Pence (L), US Vice President Mike Pence (2nd L) and US First Lady Melania Trump (R), speaks during election night in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, early on November 4, 2020. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Corey Lewandowski, speaking on behalf of the campaign in Philadelphia Thursday morning, claimed that Trump’s reelection effort plans to install an observer behind every single vote counter.
Trump celebrated the win on Twitter.
Big legal win in Pennsylvania!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 5, 2020
The campaign previously filed a separate lawsuit in Pennsylvania, alleging that Democratic Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar violated election law by expanding the window in which voters must provide proper identification. (RELATED: Joe Biden Says ‘It’s Clear’ He’s On The Path To 270)
Furthermore, the campaign filed suits Wednesday in Michigan and Georgia and is moving to file a fourth suit in Nevada Thursday.
WATCH:
The Georgia lawsuit — which sought to pause ballot counting in Chatham County — was denied Thursday morning.
Judge James Bass unceremoniously DENIES the Georgia GOP and Trump campaign’s request and dismisses the petition in Chatham County, in a sentence before the hearing abruptly adjourns.
— Adam Klasfeld (@KlasfeldReports) November 5, 2020
Ballot counting was reportedly temporarily halted during the Democrats’ appeal.
Philadelphia mail-in ballot count has been temporarily halted as Democrats have gone to PA’s Supreme Court to try to reverse the Commonwealth Court ruling allowing Trump observers inside to watch the count (which is also live-streamed) – per @mitchellreports
— Maura Barrett (@MauraBarrettNBC) November 5, 2020
UPDATE: PA Supreme Court Spokesperson says, “There is no filing in the Pa Supreme Court and the Court has NOT overruled any action by the Commonwealth Court. Again, the PA Supreme Court has NOT taken any actions on any Commonwealth Court case nor do they have any pending filings”
— Chelsea Koerbler (@ChelseaKoerbler) November 5, 2020
Editor’s note: This piece has been updated to reflect the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision.
Editor’s note: This piece was updated a second time to remove information previously reported by NBC News on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision overturning the appellate order. A spokesperson for the court said that “there is no filing in the Pa Supreme Court and the Court has NOT overruled any action by the Commonwealth Court.”
