Unofficial Results - May 18, 2021 Primary Election - Chester County
In addition to the statewide races and ballot questions, which can be found here, registered Chester County Republicans and Democrats selected nominees for County Treasurer, Controller, Clerk of Courts and Coroner. They’ll also nominate two Common Pleas Court judges, eight Magisterial District Court judges and numerous municipal and School Board officials. Also nominated were candidates for Judge of Elections and Inspector of Election.
Treasurer
The Chester County Treasurer collects real-estate taxes for the county’s 23 municipalities and the county’s hotel tax as well as fees for dog licenses, hunting and fishing licenses and shooting-range permits. Terms are four years and the annual salary is $74,320.38.
Controller
The Controller is the elected Chief Fiscal Officer of Chester County, who supervises the fiscal affairs of the County, as set forth by the Pennsylvania County Code for Counties of the Third Class. This includes the accounts, transactions and official acts of anyone entrusted with the public funds of the County. The Controller is required to maintain and keep all fiscal and accounting records, processes, accounts payable and other disbursements, manage payroll and retirement benefits, and is responsible for internal audits. The County Code requires the Controller to maintain custody and stewardship of all County contracts. All such documents are recorded to ensure that the physical documents are received after they are approved by the Board of Commissioners. The Controller monitors all contract, agreement and lease payments to ensure that no payment exceeds the limits or terms of those documents. Terms are four years and the annual salary is $74,320.38.
Clerk of Courts
The Clerk of Courts manages all paperwork for all criminal cases in the Chester County Court of Common Pleas. The Clerk’s office also assesses fines, costs and restitution and collects the fees in conjunction with the Chester County Adult Probation and Parole Department. The Clerk of Courts additionally staffs all criminal, juvenile and dependency hearings held in the Chester County Court of Common Pleas to ensure that the paperwork is completed efficiently and accurately. All records are open to the public, with the exception of juvenile and dependency cases, and certain filings placed under “seal” and/or are filed confidentially. Terms are four years and the annual salary is $74,320.38.
Coroner
The Chester County Coroner's Office investigates the facts and circumstances concerning jurisdictional deaths which have occurred within Chester County. The office determines the cause and manner of death and the identity of the decedent, and, if necessary, notifies the legal next of kin. Terms are four years and the annual salary is $74,320.38.
Court of Common Pleas
The Court of Common Pleas of Chester County is a general jurisdiction trial court located in West Chester. Its 12 full-time judges and two senior judges hear a wide spectrum of cases, including adult and juvenile criminal prosecutions, lawsuits involving money or property, divorce, custody disputes, child support issues, adoptions and estates. Candidates for seats on the Court of Common Pleas must be residents of their districts for at least one year and members of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Bar at the time of filing nomination petitions for office. Terms are 10 years and the mandatory retirement age is 75. The annual salary is $186,665.
Magisterial District Courts
Chester County has 17 Magisterial District Court offices located throughout the county, responsible for adjudicating all traffic citations and parking violations, as well non-traffic citations. The courts also process criminal and private criminal complaints inclusive of arraignments and preliminary hearings, and handle civil and landlord-tenant complaints up to a jurisdictional limit of $12,000. Judges can also administer oaths and perform marriages. Candidates for seats on the Magisterial District Courts must be residents of their districts for at least one year and members of the Pennsylvania Bar or be certified by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts as having successfully completing a rigorous training and education program administered by the Minor Judiciary Education Board. Terms are six years and the mandatory retirement age is 75. The annual salary is $93,338.
Judge of Election and Inspector of Election
In Pennsylvania, three of the five people who run each polling place on Election Day are elected officials themselves. These positions are Judge of Election and Majority and Minority Inspectors of Election.
The Judge of Election has ultimate responsibility for the conduct of a polling place and the personnel working there, and must take an oath to admit only those voters who are properly registered and entitled to vote, to prevent fraud, deceit or abuse, and to make sure that all votes at the end of the day are accurately tabulated. The Judge is also responsible for opening and closing the polls, and for all the paperwork required on Election Day.
The Majority and Minority Inspectors are responsible for checking voters’ registration documents and preparing certificates to authorize voters to cast their ballots. They ensure that the voting process is legal and administered fairly by verifying the signatures of voters as they sign the poll book. The Inspectors are also responsible for checking to be sure the voting machine numbers are accurate at the end of the day.
Candidates must be 18 years old.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IMPORTANT ELECTION DAY INFORMATION
Voters with questions or issues on Election Day should call the proper authorities:
For voter registration, polling location or other procedural issues 610-344-6410
Report potential election law violations to the District Attorney 610-344-6801