Readers React: Coleman’s declaration of victory was premature

With a lead of 30 votes out of 33,974 votes counted as of the date this letter was written, Jarrett Coleman has, after consulting with his campaign staff, decided to declare victory in the newly redrawn Pennsylvania 16th Senate District.

According to The Morning Call, Lehigh County Chief Elections Clerk Tim Benyo stated there were still 393 provisional ballots left to count. Provisional ballots are completely legal for a variety of circumstances.

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By law they were prohibited from beginning their processing until Friday after the election. But in his declaration, Coleman stated, “There is no reason they (the votes) would not have been processed by now.” The law is not a reason?

In Bucks County, 153 ballots from overseas military personnel and other citizens have not been counted. Apparently, Coleman doesn’t believe their votes should count either. There are also an undisclosed number of provisional ballots still to count in Bucks County.

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This election is way too close to call. Coleman’s declaration shows a disregard for determining and following the will of the people in an election.

Fritz Walker

South Whitehall Township