News
- Published on: 2/26/2022
February 25, 2022
On February 23, 2022, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued an Order that temporarily suspended the timelines for circulating and filing all nominating petitions and papers and objections regarding state House and Senate seats. This had the effect of also suspending the circulation of all local municipal referenda petitions.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Order also provided a revised schedule modifying the Primary Election Calendar for Congressional races and statewide elections only, with no mention of a schedule for circulating local municipal referenda petitions. The circulation of these petitions generally follows the State Department issued Election Calendar.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court announced a modified schedule for circulation of certain petitions in their order which included Congressional races and statewide elections is as follows:
Modified Schedule Announced February 23, 2022:
• The first day to circulate and file nomination petitions - February 25, 2022
• Last day to circulate and file nomination petitions - March 15, 2022
• The first day to circulate and file nomination papers - March 16, 2022
• Deadline to file objections to nomination petitions - March 22, 2022
• Last day that may be fixed by the Commonwealth Court for hearing on objections that have been filed to nomination petitions - March 25, 2022
• Last day for the Commonwealth Court to render decisions in cases involving objections to nomination petitions - March 29, 2022
• Last day for the County Boards of Elections to send remote military-overseas absentee ballots - April 2, 2022
The York County Board of Elections anticipates receiving further clarification from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in the near future.
Due to the uncertainty related to the circulation of referenda petitions, it is the position of the York County Board of Elections that the Board will open nomination petitions for circulation as of February 25, 2022.
The Board will accept referendum petitions and will not reject their collection of signatures if they are dated under either of the Court-approved election calendars or any additional calendar which the Court may authorize in the future. Please note that this allows for the choice of any of the Court approved collection periods but does not permit the combination of more than one Court approved collection period.
Any questions can be referred to the Elections Department or the Solicitors Office.
[1] February 23, 2022, 7 MM 2022 – Per Curiam Order (Adoption of Congressional Redistricting Map), 7 MM 2002.