In Pennsylvania, counties have the right to create and adopt a home rule charter, meaning they transfer certain responsibilities from the state over to local control, allowing the county more freedom to self-govern with less oversight by the state. Pa. Const. Art. IX, § 2. State law also empowers home rule counties (with the explicit exception of Philadelphia) to change the appointment method and organization of their County Board of Elections in the county’s home rule charter. 25 Pa. Stat. Ann. §§ 2641(a), (b). Philadelphia, as the only “county of the first class” (meaning its population exceeds 1.5 million people), is not allowed to change the structure of its County Board of Elections, despite also having home rule. 25 Pa. Stat. Ann. §§ 2641(a), (b).
There are seven counties that have a home rule charter and exercise authority to change the appointment method and organization of their County Boards of Elections:
State law empowers home rule counties (except Philadelphia) to change the appointment method and organization of their County Board of Elections in the county’s home rule charter. The information below details how home rule County Boards of Elections are appointed and/or elected, the makeup of these boards, and where their responsibilities differ from non–home rule County Boards.
Selection Method
The Allegheny County Board of Elections is elected by voters of the county. Allegheny Charter § 1.3-305(a). Each major political party can nominate one person for the at-large position, and voters then vote for the at-large member. Allegheny Charter §§ 1.3-305(c)-(d). The two candidates with the most votes both are elected to fill the two at-large positions. Allegheny Charter § 1.3-305(c).
Board Makeup and Office Term
The Allegheny County Board of Elections is composed of the two at-large members of the County Council and the Chief Executive. Allegheny Charter § 1.10-1006(a). Members of the Allegheny County Board of Elections are elected for four-year terms. Allegheny Charter § 1.3-305(e). The Chief Executive is limited to three consecutive terms. Allegheny Charter § 1.3-305(f).
Unique Practices
Most absentee ballots in Allegheny County are counted at District Election Boards. *Interview with Election Judge, Allegheny County (Sept 29 2022).*