Vote-counting efforts in Philadelphia were temporarily suspended Thursday following a court order that granted President Trump’s campaign closer access to oversee the operation, according to reports.
The count resumed shortly after noon, the Philadelphia Inquirer said.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has not said if it will hear the appeal planned by city officials, the Inquirer said.
Meanwhile, former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski said election officials weren’t complying with the ruling issued earlier in the day and effective as of 10:30 a.m.
“A judge has given an order to allow us to see every ballot,” he told cheering supporters through a bullhorn, according to a video clip posted online around 1 p.m.
“But the criminals inside say, No. And so now, we are required to call the sheriff and to make sure the judge’s order is fully enforced. That is what democracy is supposed to be.”
Philadelphia’s government is headed by Democratic Mayor Jim Kenney and early election results have heavily favored Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.
Earlier Thursday, Commonwealth Court Judge Christine Fizzano Cannon ordered that “all candidates, watchers, or candidate representatives” must “be permitted to observe all aspects of the canvassing process within 6 feet, while adhering to all COVID-19 protocols, including, wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.”
That ruling came in response to legal action by the Trump campaign.
