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LOCK HAVEN -- Even as the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election continues to make the news almost daily, the Clinton County Voter Registration Office is ramping up for the Primary Municipal Election which is set for Tuesday, May 18, 2021.
At Monday's work session of the Clinton County Commissioners, Maria Boileau, county director of elections, provided a preview of what voters can expect on the ballots and important information for candidates wishing to throw their hats into the ring for election in this year's primary.
On the ballot in this primary election there will be two county row office positions -- county treasurer and county coroner, Boileau said.
In addition, she said, there will be four school board seats in the Keystone Central School District up for grabs.
And there will be multiple offices in each county municipality, including borough mayor, councilman, township supervisor, auditor, tax collector, judge of elections and inspector of elections, Boileau said.
A complete slate of positions to be decided in May will be released as they become available, she said, adding that she is still awaiting information from some municipalities on vacancies.
RUNNING FOR OFFICE
If you would like to run for office, petition packets will be available for pick-up Thursday, Feb. 11, at the Piper Building. A complete list of offices will be available on the county's website.
The first day to circulate and file nomination petitions is Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 and the last day to circulate and file nomination petitions is Tuesday, March 9, 2021.
MAIL-IN, ABSENTEE RENEWAL LETTERS
Recently, the Voter Registration & Elections Office mailed approximately 3,800 renewal letters and mail-in ballot application forms to Clinton County registered voters who last year had signed up for a permanent spot on the county's vote-by-mail list, Boileau said.
The mass mailing was made necessary by a provision in Pennsylvania's new voting laws that requires "permanent" mail-in voters to re-apply every year. Failure to return the form means the recipient will not receive a mail-in ballot for the 2021 municipal primary and general election.
Returning the form, or completing it online, means the voter will receive mail-in ballots for both 2021 elections. There is a space on the cover letter for voters to ask to be removed from the mailing list if they prefer to vote at the polling place.
To date the office has received approximately 500 applications for mail-in ballots.
Voters may go to votespa.com and apply on-line for an absentee or mail-in ballot or they can request an application at the county's Piper Building in Lock Haven.
IMPORTANT DATES
The last day to register to vote or change your voter registration before the Primary Election is May 3, 2021. The last day to apply for an absentee or mail-in ballot is May 11, 2021. Absentee and Mail-In Ballots must be returned to the Voter Registration & Elections Office by 8 pm on Tuesday, May 18, 2021.
REGISTERED VOTERS
Currently there are 21,888 registered voters in Clinton County including 7,344 registered for the Democratic Party, 11,758 registered for the Republican Party, 131 for the Libertarian Party, 31 for the Green Party and 2,634 registered in other affiliations.
The Clinton County Voter Registration and Elections Office is located at the Piper Building, 2 Piper Way in Lock Haven. For more information call 570-893-4019 or visit their website at https://www.clintoncountypa.com/departments/voter-registration