Lawrence County Board of Elections details mail‑in totals, polling‑place moves and ballot‑curing ahead of primary

Lawrence County election officials on May 19 told the Board of Elections they are prepared for Tuesday’s primary, reporting current voter registration totals, the status of mail‑in ballots, two temporary polling‑place moves and procedures for handling damaged or unsigned ballots.

At the meeting, Tim Ghermene, Election Director for Lawrence County, presented voter registration figures and the county’s most recent mail‑in ballot statistics. "Democratic totals, I have 19,953," Ghermene said, adding Republican totals of 29,918, Libertarian 255 and other parties 7,039, for a countywide total of 57,165 registered voters as of May 12. Ghermene said only registered Democrats and Republicans will be eligible to vote in the upcoming primary.

Ghermene reported that 5,059 mail‑in ballots were sent and 3,615 had been returned, a roughly 65 percent return rate based on the figures he provided. He gave the party breakdown as 1,713 Republican mail ballots sent with 1,175 returned, and 3,346 Democratic mail ballots sent with 2,440 returned. "Please be mindful, for anybody that's listening and still has their ballot out, make sure they sign and date it. The signature is very important for that," Ghermene said, noting that the office has contacted voters whose ballots lacked a signature or signature date.

The board was told 10 returned ballots were missing signatures and one returned ballot arrived without the required secrecy envelope. Ghermene said those voters have an opportunity to remedy the deficiency; county staff will contact them and provide the deadline. Voters may return mail‑in ballots in person or use the county drop box; Ghermene reiterated that ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.

The meeting also included announcements of two temporary polling‑place relocations. The North Beaver Township polling location has moved from the North Beaver Township building at 861 Mount Jackson Road to the North Beaver Township Fire Department at 969 Mount Jackson Road. The polling place previously at the A.P. Gettys Government Center Annex at 439 County Line Street has been moved to New Creation Free Methodist Church at 725 Pearson Street in New Castle while the annex is under renovation.

The board confirmed who will serve on the two‑member resolution board that handles damaged or unreadable mail ballots. Ghermene said he appointed Mike Avon, a registered Republican, and Sarah Effinger, who works in the controller’s office and is a registered Democrat. He described the board’s function: when a mail‑in ballot is damaged or will not scan, "we will copy the ballot as it looks, and then we will be able to have it so it scans and counts," he said, adding that the county solicitor will be available to advise on voter‑intent questions.

Board members and staff discussed Election Day staffing. Ghermene said student poll workers and other temporary election staff had been recruited and that pay for election workers is $10 per hour. The board encouraged voters to treat election workers courteously and reminded the public of state identification requirements: state law requires that a first‑time voter in a precinct show identification; if a voter lacks ID, the county will issue a provisional ballot that can be counted if the voter provides ID within seven days.

The board reviewed operational details and availability for Election Day. The presiding officer noted that, by longstanding practice, the board would recess to the call of the chair and remain available by phone or in person in case an issue required formal action during or after polls close. Polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Two formal motions were recorded at the meeting: the board accepted minutes from its May 7 meeting and later voted to recess to the call of the chair. Both motions carried on roll call votes.

The board said it plans to remain available through the canvass and post‑election work and will reconvene to certify results when required by the state election code.