Election certification is the process by which a winner is named and notified for county and statewide offices. Certification takes place after the completion of the county and statewide canvasses.
The County Board of Elections certifies the results of each election in its jurisdiction. 25 P.S. § 3154(b). The County Board of Elections certifies results five days after the unofficial returns are submitted to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, or five days after appeals, recount, or recanvass, if applicable. 25 P.S. § 3154(f).
After certification, the County Board of Elections issues certificates of election to the successful candidates for all offices. 25 P.S. § 3154(f). Where an office spans multiple counties but is not statewide, the county with the largest number of registered voters voting on the office issues the certificate. 25 P.S. § 3160(a).
The County Board of Elections delivers certified county results to the Secretary of the Commonwealth no later than the third Monday after Election Day. 25 P.S. § 2642(k).
The Secretary of the Commonwealth receives certified county returns from the County Boards of Elections no later than the third Monday after Election Day. 25 P.S. § 2642(k). After receiving the certified returns from the County Boards of Elections, the Secretary of the Commonwealth tabulates, computes, and canvasses results for federal offices, state-wide offices, members of the General Assembly, and some judicial races. 25 P.S. §§ 3158, 3159.
After canvassing, the Secretary of the Commonwealth certifies and files the tabulations in his office. 25 P.S. § 3159. There is no statutory deadline for the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s certification. 25 P.S. § 3159.
The Secretary of the Commonwealth issues certificates of elections to elected members of the General Assembly. 25 P.S. § 3164. However, for other offices, the Secretary of the Commonwealth provides certified copies of the results to the entities for them to issue commissions. The procedure for issuing certificates is as follows:
The Secretary of the Commonwealth issues certificates of election to the elected members of the General Assembly, between 12 and 1 p.m. on the first Tuesday in January of odd-numbered years. 25 P.S. § 3164. If the General Assembly convenes in December after their election, the Secretary of the Commonwealth issues the certificates and presents the election returns on the first day of the special session. 25 P.S. § 3164. In the case of a special election, the certificates and returns are presented as soon as the Secretary of the Commonwealth receives and tabulates them. 25 P.S. § 3164.
At the first meeting of the General Assembly following the election, the Secretary of the Commonwealth delivers these election returns to the President of the Senate. 25 P.S. § 3165. The President of the Senate then opens and publishes them in the presence of members of both houses of the General Assembly. 25 P.S. § 3165.