Election Day Notice

[Pscglenn]

On March 9 2009 When I filed my papers to be on the ballot at the local courthouse, I had asked the Director of Elections the following question: Since my name is going to be on the ballot can I work the election polls that day. She informed me that she did not know the answer and would get back to me.

On March 19 2009 I received a letter on official letterhead from the county and it is as follows

Memorandum to all State Constables

This letter is written as a follow-up to an inquiry as to if Constables can serve on Election Day when they are running for office.

The answer to this question is NO. If your name is on the ballot it is unlawful for you to work at the polls under any circumstances.

The letter then states that we must fill out the enclosed form to appoint a deputy constable for the day. and return as soon as possible for processing.

Signed
Board of Elections Director

(watch out defendants I will be out that day looking for you since I do not have to work the polls ) HaHa

[maynard]

hi, maynard here.

What county are you in??? could i get a copy of the memo?? i am president of our lackawanna county chapter, and would like to see this.

my regular mail address is: superbonz@yahoo.com. my name is chuck warrick.

thanks for your time. maynard, alias chuck warrick

[FTNHILLConstable]

Don't feel bad. I received the same sort of letter from Lehigh County too, only months ago. I had to scramble to find someone who wanted to cover my spot too. Chuck, if you still need a copy I can forward you mine. PM me.

[maynard]

heck yes,

if i could get a copy it would be great. my only question, and not to be a butt head about it. where are they quoting this info from. i read p.s. 25, and it only states, that "during PASSAGE", at first i thought that meant, the end of term, running for election, i read the dictionary, that means if you have a deputy, one of you can work the polls.

i will call the election bureau's if they don't have it listed. i'm just trying to make sure we are all on the same page.

thanks for any and all support on this. chuck, alias maynard

[Pscglenn]

Fellow Constables,

I decided to take it upon myself to call the PCCD on Monday April 13 2008 to inquire about the memo that I received from our Elections Board in Armstrong County. I was informed from a young lady at the PCCD the following: There is no state set rule for Constables not to be allowed to work the election polls when there name is on the ballot however it is a county decision if they shall not what you to work the elections. I have taken it upon myself not to appoint someone in my place due to the fact that I feel that if the county can make this decision what is going to stop them from making other decisions that in the long run will only hurt the constables in this county. or am I wrong in doing so...

[maynard]

hey fred,

i feel your absouleltey correct. i see things in my mind.

1. i believe the county could be saying that to save monies, if you don't have a deputy to fill spot.

2. i would check and see if they will pay you. they may direct the pres of elections not to pay you if you appear.

3. i would think that would be problem, if they are acting under an authority decision.

4. i would ask the election board director to "politely provide me with written law to that effect"; otherwise, i will abide by PA Statue 25 #3407, number 4. constable-duty to attend elections-para 2 (page 501) "this section requires constables personally or by deputy to attend "ALL ELECTIONS"

I wish you well my man, in our county we were never told not to, i feel it sometimes best to let the sleepen bear sleep.

well fred, so far it's two of us-me and u, that believe, i'm sure there will be plenty others....good luck..maynard

[maynard]

pscglenn, i wanted to apologize, i put fred's name down instead of your's. sorry bout that, i was thinking about something he wrote earlier that i read.

sorry again. hey didn't say i was intelligent....maynard

[jnascar]

Its just as easy to point a deputy and be done with it for the election. True it states as Constable you have a duty to work the polls but on the flip side of it there is a law in place that also says a canidate for office is not allowed within 10 feet of the polling place unless voting. You as a constable can get within 10 feet of it but how are you going to do your job if you legally can not get within 10 feet as a canidate per law, so simple solution, appoint an election day deputy like I have done.

It covers your rear so to speak because you have done your job as far as covering your polling place or in some instances more than one place and you have also not broken election laws as a canidate and then nobody could say anthing about that. Keep in mind that if you give them one thing to attack you on for doing something wrong they will take it and run with it, so just appoint an election day deputy

[QuincyTwpConstable]

That's a load of bunk. The election officials are also elected; they are not allowed to take the day off the year they're up for reelection. That said, if your county has an issue with it, it may well not be worth the trouble and consequent bad blood.

You *cannot* campaign for office while working the polls, but that's it.

[LANCO]

"Since this is an election year for constables, we would like to remind you that if your name is on the primary ballot, you CANNOT work at that polling place. A Deputy will need to be appointed."

As I have 9 polling places in my township, I have a group of deputies that I appoint every election to cover. They have been trained in DT and OC so that they at least have a few tools in the event of a problem....