Inspector of Elections (IOE)

Overview:

All primaries and elections are conducted in each election district by a district election board consisting of a Judge of Election (JOE), a majority inspector of election and a minority inspector of election, all three of which are elected positions. Each elector may vote for one person as judge and for one person as inspector. The person receiving the highest number of votes for judge is declared elected judge of election. The person receiving the highest number of votes for inspector is declared elected majority inspector of election. The person receiving the second highest number of votes for inspector is declared elected minority inspector of election.

Current Opening(s):  IOE positions are open in all precincts.  Current IOEs must run again in 2021.

Full description of the office: 

The following link provides current details on the office and is subject to change. Further documentation is provided to the elected candidates regarding procedures and current compensation.

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/uconsCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&yr=1937&sessInd=0&smthLwInd=0&act=320&chpt=4&mobile_choice=suppress

 Eligibility (Residency & Caveats):

IOE must be a qualified, registered elector of the district in which they are elected or appointed. There are limitations on anyone holding any government office, appointment or employment. Read section 402 of the full document for limitations of eligibility.

 IOE requires 5 signatures on their petition to appear on the ballot. We expect petitions to be available near the end of January through each party headquarters, and a limited number will be available through county offices. There may be online availability, but no confirmation yet from the PA Department of State. The PA 2021 Election Calendar has not yet been released.

 Term:  4 years, beginning on the first Monday of January following the November election.

 Duties for IOE:

  • Must work a full day for primary and general elections – 6:30 am to approximately 9:30 PM, depending on finish time of closing procedures.
  • Must attend training on the procedures and practices of the precinct election process, including operation of machines. A certificate must be earned.
  • Act as the next in command at the precinct by assisting the JOE in their duties. This includes assisting voters with questions or issues.
  • Appoint and contact clerks for the election board.
  • Check-in and process voters on Election Day.
  • The Minority Inspector must oversee and sign any required documents along with the JOE.
  • The Minority Inspector is charged with taking home a copy of various forms used on Election Day. These must be kept safe for 2 years.

The IOE takes an oath of office when sworn in. The full oath is published in section 408 of the current Article 4 of Act 320 

Compensation:

Minimal compensation is involved. The following is based on information from the last election cycle and is subject to change.

The Judge of Elections and both inspectors are required to work a full day (6:30am- 9:30pm or whatever time all closing procedures are finished).

  • Judge of Elections – $120.00
  • Majority Inspector – $114.00
  • Minority Inspector – $114.00
  • Full Day Clerk – $114.00 (approx. 6:30am- 9:30pm)
  • Half Day Clerk – $57.00 (approx. 6:30am- 2:00 PM morning shift; 2:00 PM- 9:30PM evening shift)
  • Supply Pickup – $20.00 plus mileage
  • Supply Drop-off – $20.00 plus mileage (for driver only)
  • Attending Class – $10.00 onetime payment for each election 


Judge of Elections (JOE)

Overview:

All primaries and elections are conducted in each election district by a district election board consisting of a Judge of Election (JOE), a majority inspector of election and a minority inspector of election, all three of which are elected positions. Each elector may vote for one person as judge and for one person as inspector. The person receiving the highest number of votes for judge is declared elected judge of election. The person receiving the highest number of votes for inspector is declared elected majority inspector of election. The person receiving the second highest number of votes for inspector is declared elected minority inspector of election.

 JOE positions are open in all precincts. Current JOEs must run again in 2021.

 Link to full description of the office:

The following link provides current details on the office and is subject to change. Further documentation is provided to the elected candidates regarding procedures and current compensation.

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/uconsCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&yr=1937&sessInd=0&smthLwInd=0&act=320&chpt=4&mobile_choice=suppress

 Eligibility (Residency & Caveats):

JOE must be a qualified, registered elector of the district in which they are elected or appointed. There are limitations on anyone holding any government office, appointment or employment. Read section 402 of the full document for limitations of eligibility.

 Judge of Elections requires 10 signatures on their petition to appear on the ballot. We expect petitions to be available near the end of January through each party headquarters, and a limited number will be available through county offices. There may be online availability, but no confirmation yet from the PA Department of State. The PA 2021 Election Calendar has not yet been released.

 Term:  4 years.

Term begins on the first Monday of January following the November election.

 Duties for JOE:

  • Must work a full day for primary and general elections – 6:30 am to approximately 9:30 PM, depending on finish time of closing procedures.
  • Must attend training on the procedures and practices of the precinct election process, including operation of machines. A certificate must be earned.
  • Establish worker availability and organize the election board before each election. (Voter Services provides each JOE with a list of names and phone numbers of the previous and interested poll workers for their precinct.)
  • Pick up election supplies the Saturday before the election or arrange for a member of their board to do so.
  • Maintain a secure and efficient precinct for the voters on Election Day.
  • Manage all voting activity and election personnel within the precinct.
  • Oversee and sign any required documents on Election Day.
  • Act as the main contact for Voter Services at the precinct on Election Day. JOEs are the main contact between Voter Services and their fellow board members.
  • Return results and election supplies to Voter Services on Election Night.
  • Manages requests by poll watchers. Supervises or delegates the inspection of any requested documents.

 The JOE takes an oath of office when sworn in. The full oath is published in sections 407 \of the current Article 4 of Act 320

 Compensation:

Minimal compensation is involved. The following is based on information from the last election cycle and is subject to change.

The Judge of Elections and both inspectors are required to work a full day (6:30am- 9:30pm or whatever time all closing procedures are finished).

  • Judge of Elections – $120.00
  • Majority Inspector – $114.00
  • Minority Inspector – $114.00
  • Full Day Clerk – $114.00 (approx. 6:30am- 9:30pm)
  • Half Day Clerk – $57.00 (approx. 6:30am- 2:00 PM morning shift; 2:00 PM- 9:30PM evening shift)
  • Supply Pickup – $20.00 plus mileage
  • Supply Drop-off – $20.00 plus mileage (for driver only)
  • Attending Class – $10.00 onetime payment for each election

West Chester Area School District School Board

Overview

The WCASD School Board is comprised of nine directors who serve four-year terms and are elected by region.   There will be four school board seats up for election on the May 2021 primary:



  • Region 1 – one vacant seat  (West Chester Borough, parts of West Goshen Twp.)
  • Region 2 – two vacant seats (East Goshen Twp., West Whiteland Twp.)
  • Region 3 – one vacant seat (East Bradford Twp., Thornbury Twp. – Chester County, Thornbury Twp. – Delaware County, Westtown Twp., parts of West Goshen Twp.)

To be eligible to serve on the Board, a candidate must be at least 18 years of age prior to appointment; a resident of the school district for at least one year prior to appointment; must not have an office or position which is incompatible with the office of school director, and be of good moral character and not otherwise ineligible to the office of school director.


Prospective Candidate Information
WCASD has an excellent web site for prospective candidates:
https://www.wcasd.net/domain/5996 
It includes links to help you to identify whether a seat in your region is available, important filing dates, Statement of Financial Interests and a “How To” guide.


Tax Collector

This link shows the full ordinance and compensation for the Tax Collector position as well as some current discussion about changing compensation.

Committee Person

To organize the structure and flow of the party, voters elect two people from each division to represent their neighbors within the party—these people are called committee people. West Whiteland is Zone 14 in Chester County (See the Zone Map page of this site for links with more detail.) Zone 14 is divided into 7 precincts, each with 2 committee people. The Zone Leader coordinates the activities within the Zone.

We currently have openings for a committee person in Zones 1 and 7. To serve:

  • ·       You must be a resident of the precinct, 18 years or older.
  • ·       You must be a registered member of the Democratic party

The term of office is 4 years. If you miss the election cycle, you can be appointed to the position until the next election. Your name would then appear on the municipal ballot in the next cycle.

Committee people are the bridge between voters and government.   As with any volunteer position, the impact you have on your community depends on the level of effort you want to provide. The committeeperson is involved in the following activities:

  • Attending monthly committee meetings in your Zone
  • Supporting Zone activities, such as mailings, sign distribution, gatherings such as picnics and petition signing events, etc.
  • Educating the people in your precinct about candidates
  • Circulating petitions to help candidates to get on the ballot
  • Informing people about upcoming election timetables so they remember to vote
  • Distributing absentee ballots to those who can’t make it to the polls
  • Recruiting poll watchers to make sure everyone has equal and fair access to vote
  • Getting your neighbors out to vote!

 These activities are coordinated with other volunteers in the Zone.  For example, a flyer is generally sent out within the Zone to educate the voters about candidates.

 You also may attend the local convention to vote for primary candidates who will be endorsed by the party in the primary and general elections.