The manual recount of 23,000 votes in a pivotal Pennsylvania state house race is to begin today, despite Democratic efforts to stop it. See this EL@M post and this story in the Philadelphia Enquirer. The Democratic candidate currently leads the Republican candidate by just 23 votes, with control of the state house hinging on the outcome. Judge Judge James Gardner Colins has reportedly ordered the recount to be completed by 5:00 pm on December 26. Merry Christmas, Chester County election officials!