Overview

Most of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties’ elections are administered by the three County Commissioners, who serve as the County Board of Elections. 25 P.S. §§ 2641(a), (b). In seven home rule counties, County Boards of Election vary in how they are selected and operate.

County Boards of Election are critical to post-vote processes at the local level because they are responsible for administering elections before, during, and after Election Day. 25 P.S. §§ 2642(a)-(p). County Boards of Election also provide oversight of Chief Clerks and election officials conducting the day-to-day operations. 25 P.S. § 2642(g).

Accordingly, counties often hire an ****Election Director or Chief Clerk ****to run elections, with significant operational and decision-making roles. 25 P.S. § 2643(b). While these are not elected positions, they are under the supervision of the County Board of Elections. 25 P.S. § 2643(b).

Duties

The key duties of the County Board of Elections are:

  1. Appointing staff, including Chief Clerk, assistants, elections workers, and other employees. 25 P.S. § 2643(b).
  2. Setting policy and guidance. 25 P.S. § 2642(f).
  3. Testing equipment for and conducting central tabulation. 25 P.S. § 3031.14(a).
  4. Sorting, pre-canvassing, and canvassing absentee and mail-in ballots. 25 P.S. § 3146.8(a).
  5. Hearing challenges to absentee and mail-in ballots or applications. 25 P.S. § 3146.8(f).
  6. Receiving returns from precincts and making them available to the public. 25 P.S. § 3152(a).
  7. Submitting unofficial returns from precincts to the Department of State. 25 P.S. § 3152(b).
  8. Computing and canvassing returns from districts. 25 P.S. §§ 3153(a), 3154(a)-(b).
  9. Transmitting results to the Secretary of Commonwealth. 25 P.S. § 3154(f).
  10. Conducting audits. 25 P.S. § 3031.17.
  11. Instigating and conducting recounts or recanvasses in districts or counties. 25 P.S. § 3154(e).
  12. Certifying results for offices within the county. 25 P.S. § 3154(b).
  13. Working with the District Attorney to investigate and prosecute fraud. 25 P.S. § 3263(a)(ii)(2).