Lawrence County elections board to study precinct boundaries after South Newcastle borough merger
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Summary
Board members said they will collect voter counts and legal guidance to decide whether to create a new precinct or combine the former South Newcastle borough precinct with an adjacent district; final boundary determinations rest with the Court of Common Pleas and a public hearing will be required.
The Lawrence County Board of Elections on Jan. 5 said it will study precinct boundaries after South Newcastle Borough merged with Shenango Township and decide how to proceed before the May primary.
The board discussed two primary options: create a new precinct in Chicago Township or combine the borough’s previous precinct with the surrounding 3rd District. The chair told the board that Mister Germani would compile statistics on voter counts and state guideline ranges for precinct sizes.
"We would be required to hold a public hearing on this matter," the chair said, quoting solicitor guidance that the board must follow a hearing process before making recommendations. The chair said the board should consult with Shenango Township supervisors for input but noted that the final authority for precinct boundaries rests with the Lawrence County Court of Common Pleas.
Board members said they aimed to resolve the question ahead of nomination-petition circulation and the May primary: Mister Germani outlined upcoming dates for candidates and committees, including a Feb. 17 start for circulating nomination petitions and a March 10 filing deadline.
The board did not take formal action on precinct boundaries at the Jan. 5 meeting; members said staff would return with voter‑count data and legal guidance for a future meeting and public hearing.