The Bucks County Commissioners’ meeting on Wednesday drew a large crowd with many residents calling for the resignation of two Democratic commissioners following controversial decisions regarding several hundred mail-in ballots with errors.
The meeting had one of the highest attendances in recent history and came after Commissioner Chairperson Diane Ellis-Marseglia stated she would vote to accept hundreds of mail-in and absentee ballots that had been incorrectly filled out, which went against recent court rulings.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court and a Bucks County court had determined that some of the ballots would be voided, a decision followed this week by the Bucks County Board of Elections, of which the commissioners are members.
A clip of Ellis-Marseglia went viral and was shared by conservative commentators and officials, including members of President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign and billionaire businessman Elon Musk.
In the clip, the longtime commissioner said of the ballots: “I think we all know that precedent by a court doesn’t matter anymore in the country. People violate laws any time they want. So, for me, if I violate this law, it’s because I want a court to pay attention to it.”
At the meeting, Ellis-Marseglia apologized for her actions and the resulting public uproar.
“I am apologizing for the upset and confusion I’ve caused my family and the hardworking employees of Bucks County,” she said before the crowd. “I want all elections to be fair, honest and just. The passion in my heart got the best of me.”
The commissioner called her past words “inartful.”
Despite her apology, calls for her resignation filled the room and accompanied by boos, which she gaveled down.
Ellis-Marseglia said people have called her family members, those who aren’t even related but share a last name, and stated people brought up the suicide death of her daughter.
The Democratic official, who appeared emotional, said she has learned her lesson and that she is “truthfully sorry.”
The controversy has led to significant backlash, including profanity-laced communications and threats, which are currently under investigation by law enforcement, officials and sources said.
Bucks County Republican Committee Chairperson Pat Poprik criticized the Democratic commissioners ahead of the meeting, blaming them for negative attention drawn to the county.
“This is a travesty that we have to be here today,” Poprik stated, adding that Bucks County was among four that had violated election law.
Conservative activist Scott Presler voiced his concerns at the meeting and said the commissioners had “disenfranchised” by the votes to count the ballots that should have not been counted. He scolded Ellis-Marseglia and pointed to the fact she knew she was violating the court decision.
“I have a message: ‘Peacefully, we are coming for your seat in 2027 if you don’t resign,'” he said.
Doug Marshall, of Lower Makefield Township, said he believed Ellis-Marseglia made a “heartfelt” apology but said it her actions showed Democratic politicians wanted to gain “power by any means necessary.”
Several other speakers called out the Democratic officials for their vote, some asked for them to resign.
Some have called on Ellis-Marseglia and Harvie to be jailed.
Lower Makefield Township resident GiGi Rosenberg vehemently criticized the commissioners.
Rosenberg told the Democratic commissioners that she was “disgusted” by the votes on the ballots and said that “all of you should be on jail.” She then made the false claim that the 2020 election was stolen.
Amid the threats, security was visibly stepped up for the meeting that featured dozens in the room and even more people outside.
An online petition by Bucks County resident Skip Salvesen to impeach Ellis-Marseglia and he
