logo
Weather page
GET THE APP
ePaper
google_play
app_store
  • Login
  • E-Edition
    • Marketplace
  • News
  • Sports
  • Obituaries
  • Opinion
  • Classifieds
    • Place an Ad
    • All Listings
    • Jobs
  • Special Sections
  • Photo Gallery
  • Contests
  • Lifestyle/Entertainment
  • Games
    • News
      • Local News
      • PA State News
      • Nation/World
    • Sports
      • Local
      • College Sports
      • State
      • National
    • Obituaries
    • Opinion
      • News
        • Local News
        • PA State News
        • Nation/World
      • Sports
        • Local
        • College Sports
        • State
        • National
      • Obituaries
      • Opinion
    logo
    • Classifieds
      • Place an Ad
      • All Listings
      • Jobs
    • E-Edition
      • Marketplace
    • Subscribe
    • Login
      • Classifieds
        • Place an Ad
        • All Listings
        • Jobs
      • E-Edition
        • Marketplace
      • Subscribe
      • Login
    Home News Q&A with DA: Election Day rules
    Q&A with DA:  Election Day rules
    Stephanie Vettenburg Shaffer
    Local News, News
    May 23, 2025

    Q&A with DA: Election Day rules

    By STEPHANIE VETTENBURG-SHAFFER

    McKean County District Attorney

    (Editor’s note: The information in this special series is for educational purposes only and is not intended to address any particular case, nor should any articles be taken as legal advice.  Always consult with an attorney on any legal matter.)

    Election Day, like the Primary Election held last Tuesday in Pennsylvania, brings out a different set of rules that are designed to preserve every qualified voter’s right to vote.

    This could include reports of intimidation at the polls or crimes of violence.

    The District Attorney’s Office provides a phone number that routes all calls of anyone wanting to report an election code violation during the time the polls are open. Most election issues are referred to the Board of Elections. In fact, the police role at polling places is intended to be quite minimal. Constables, though, are very present at the polls.

    The County Board of Elections has broad authority on election day and is responsible for nearly every aspect of election day and they report all suspicious circumstances to the District Attorney by statute. So, myself and the county detectives receive all election complaints within the District Attorney’s Office.

    A judge is also available for any emergency hearings that have to occur because of the time-sensitive nature of decisions that are made on election day.

    Only authorized persons are permitted at the poll. This includes voters, those waiting to vote, election officials, constables to ensure peace, and poll watchers (people who have a certificate to be there). No one is allowed at the voting booth except the voter unless they require assistance.

    Everyone else must be at least 10 feet from the poll entrance, except police officers who must generally be at least 100 feet away and poll watchers who must remain at least 6 feet from where voting is occurring.

    No campaign materials are allowed in the polling place and must remain at least 10 feet from the door. In a prior year, we had a complaint that a polling place had a television on where campaign ads were running.

    If someone is in line waiting to vote at 8 p.m. (when the polls close), they are still permitted to cast their ballot.

    The judge of elections is the officer in charge of the polling place and enforces the rules for the conduct of election at the polling place. The role of law enforcement is to maintain peace at the polls. Presence of police is generally prohibited at the polls but constables do not fall under this prohibition.

    Generally, police must stay outside of 100 feet unless called upon, but police are also required to render aid and assistance in maintenance of peace and in the making of arrests when called upon by a judge of election or county board of elections. Other exceptions for police include when they are voting; if their department is inside the same building as the polls; if they are serving warrants; if they are called to preserve the peace; if they are called to clear a path to the door when obstructed and preventing voters from voting; when maintaining order and quashing disturbances; and when called upon by the judge of elections to assist in the performance of their duties.

    Obviously, no one can do anything to intimidate a voter and constables are to be present at the polling place in each election district during the election and while votes are being counted for the purpose of preserving peace.

    Challenges to voter identity or residency are challengeable at the poll and will be determined by judges of elections.

    Of course, some “election” issues can fall under both the crimes code and the election code such as interference with elections, assault, threat, and others, so the interplay between the duties of election workers, constables, and police can be intertwined.

    We have not had many issues with elections in the time that I’ve been the District Attorney, there are issues that we are always watching for, including blocking voters at polling location; thefts of ballots; vandalism; tampering with mail-in ballot envelopes or drop off boxes; voter intimidation; and threats toward poll workers. In last year’s election, police escorted those who were driving the ballots to the courthouse to ensure no interference. Everyone will do what is necessary to ensure that each election day is safe and the voters’ voice is heard and enforce the election code to preserve every qualified voter’s right to vote.

    {"newsletters":"Newsletters", "to-print":"To print", "bradfordera-website":"Website"}

    The Bradford Era

    Local & Social
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Latest news for you
    Prep underway for federal Hvizdzak trial in October
    Crime, Local News, Nation & World, ...
    Prep underway for federal Hvizdzak trial in October
    By MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER marcie@bradfordera.com 
    July 16, 2025
    While there has been talk about potential plea deals in the alleged $31 million cryptocurrency scheme case against Shane and Sean Hvizdzak, preparatio...
    Read More...
    {"newsletter-daily-headlines":"Daily Headlines", "newsletters":"Newsletters", "to-print":"To print", "bradfordera-website":"Website"}
    Blaisdell Pro Am set for Monday & Tuesday
    Local Sports
    Blaisdell Pro Am set for Monday & Tuesday
    Jo Wankel 
    July 16, 2025
    The Blaisdell Pro Am is set for Monday and Tuesday, bringing in 180 golfers on Monday and seeing 72 professionals hit the course on Tuesday. On Monday...
    Read More...
    Hot sand, hotter reads: What these beachgoers are reading
    Lifestyles
    Hot sand, hotter reads: What these beachgoers are reading
    By HIRA QURESHI  The Philadelphia Inquirer 
    July 16, 2025
    (TNS) — On the first scorching Saturday of the season, the beaches in Cape May and Wildwood in New Jersey were packed with sun tents, towels, and fold...
    Read More...
    {"to-print":"To print", "bradfordera-website":"Website"}
    No one should get measles in America
    Comment & Opinion, Opinion
    No one should get measles in America
    July 16, 2025
    (TNS) — There is no good reason for any American to become infected with the measles virus in 2025. Effective vaccines reduced the incidence of the di...
    Read More...
    {"to-print":"To print", "bradfordera-website":"Website"}
    Thunder Chickens outlast Ramblers Tuesday
    Local Sports
    Thunder Chickens outlast Ramblers Tuesday
    July 16, 2025
    On a warm but not too humid Tuesday night, the Warren Thunder Chickens made the eastward trek to take on the Bradford Ramblers at the University of Pi...
    Read More...
    34th Annual Footerest Volleyball tournament In the Books
    Local Sports, Volleyball
    34th Annual Footerest Volleyball tournament In the Books
    July 16, 2025
    The 34th Annual Footerest Volleyball Tournament was held this past weekend at Bettum’s Idlewood Family Campground in Lewis Run. Team “GOOSH” won the t...
    Read More...
    This Week's Ads
    Current e-Edition
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Already a subscriber? Click the image to view the latest e-edition.
    Don't have a subscription? Click here to see our subscription options.
    Mobile App

    Download Now

    The Bradford Era mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the Bradford Era on your mobile device just as it appears in print.

    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store

    Help Our Community

    Please help local businesses by taking an online survey to help us navigate through these unprecedented times. None of the responses will be shared or used for any other purpose except to better serve our community. The survey is at: www.pulsepoll.com $1,000 is being awarded. Everyone completing the survey will be able to enter a contest to Win as our way of saying, "Thank You" for your time. Thank You!

    Get in touch with The Bradford Era
    Submit Content
    • Submit News
    • Letter to the Editor
    • Place Wedding Announcement
      • Submit News
      • Letter to the Editor
      • Place Wedding Announcement
    Advertise
    • Place Birth Announcement
    • Place Anniversary Announcement
    • Place Obituary Call (814) 368-3173
      • Place Birth Announcement
      • Place Anniversary Announcement
      • Place Obituary Call (814) 368-3173
    Subscribe
    • Start a Subscription
    • e-Edition
    • Contact Us
      • Start a Subscription
      • e-Edition
      • Contact Us
    CMG | Community Media Group
    Illinois
    • Hancock Journal-Pilot
    • Iroquois Times-Republic
    • Journal-Republican
    • The News-Gazette
      • Hancock Journal-Pilot
      • Iroquois Times-Republic
      • Journal-Republican
      • The News-Gazette
    Indiana
    • Fountain Co. Neighbor
    • Herald Journal
    • KV Post News
    • Newton Co. Enterprise
    • Rensselaer Republican
    • Review-Republican
      • Fountain Co. Neighbor
      • Herald Journal
      • KV Post News
      • Newton Co. Enterprise
      • Rensselaer Republican
      • Review-Republican
    Iowa
    • Atlantic News Telegraph
    • Audubon Advocate-Journal
    • Barr’s Post Card News
    • Burlington Hawk Eye
    • Collector’s Journal
    • Fayette County Union
    • Ft. Madison Daily Democrat
    • Independence Bulletin-Journal
    • Keokuk Daily Gate City
    • Oelwein Daily Register
    • Vinton Newspapers
    • Waverly Newspapers
      • Atlantic News Telegraph
      • Audubon Advocate-Journal
      • Barr’s Post Card News
      • Burlington Hawk Eye
      • Collector’s Journal
      • Fayette County Union
      • Ft. Madison Daily Democrat
      • Independence Bulletin-Journal
      • Keokuk Daily Gate City
      • Oelwein Daily Register
      • Vinton Newspapers
      • Waverly Newspapers
    Michigan
    • Iosco County News-Herald
    • Ludington Daily News
    • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
    • Oscoda Press
    • White Lake Beacon
      • Iosco County News-Herald
      • Ludington Daily News
      • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
      • Oscoda Press
      • White Lake Beacon
    New York
    • Finger Lakes Times
    • Olean Times Herald
    • Salamanca Press
      • Finger Lakes Times
      • Olean Times Herald
      • Salamanca Press
    Pennsylvania
    • Bradford Era
    • Clearfield Progress
    • Courier Express
    • Free Press Courier
    • Jeffersonian Democrat
    • Leader Vindicator
    • Potter Leader-Enterprise
    • The Wellsboro Gazette
      • Bradford Era
      • Clearfield Progress
      • Courier Express
      • Free Press Courier
      • Jeffersonian Democrat
      • Leader Vindicator
      • Potter Leader-Enterprise
      • The Wellsboro Gazette
    © Copyright The Bradford Era 43 Main St, Bradford, PA  | Terms of Use  | Privacy Policy
    Powered by TECNAVIA