SUNBURY — The Northumberland County Board of Elections office must feel like a donkey for confusing political party affiliations of two candidates running for the 108th Legislative District seat.
Ninety absentee write-in ballots have been mailed that list Democrat Antonio Michetti as a Republican and Republican Lynda Schlegel-Culver as a Democrat.
The mistake came to light Tuesday when an unidentified man entered the county elections office and told the staff that a military friend called him and said the “ballots are messed up.”
The staff quickly fixed the errors and re-sent revised ballots to district voters serving in the military.
“It was a typing error and we got it corrected,” said Cortny Marise, director assistant at the election office. “It is all fine now.”
There are no plans to discipline any employees for the flub, Northumberland County Chief Clerk Kymberly Best said, adding that she is pleased with how the office has responded upon learning of the mistake.
“There was no attempt to cover things up or make excuses,” Best said.
“There is no reason to believe that the mistakes would lead to any ballot challenges because voters have to write in the name of their chosen candidates. There is no provision for straight-party voting on absentee ballots.”
Alisha Herb, Northumberland County elections director, said it cost $54 to mail 90 absentee ballots to members of the military in the 108th District.
New ballots, with the correct information, were mailed Tuesday.
Michetti was informed of the error and contacted Rodger Babnew, the chair for the Northumberland County Democratic Party, and inquired about the mistake.
Babnew confirmed with the elections office that the absentee ballots were incorrect.
Michetti contacted Schlegel-Culver as soon as he heard, he said.
“I contact Lynda and explained to her what was going on,” Michetti said.
Schlegel-Culver was appreciative of her opponent’s thoughtfulness.
“It was super nice of Tony to let me know what was going on,” she said. “I understand they fixed the problem and I understand people make mistakes.
“It happens.”
E-mail comments to fscarcella@dailyitem.com.
News
County mails muffed ballots
- News
-
-
Buyer: Pine Meadow must be vacated
With only five days to go before a federal public housing contract runs out, Ramon Margary occupies one of two of 100 apartments yet to be vacated at Pine Meadow.
-
Care home's $68G fine in limbo
A hearing was canceled Friday to determine if the president of a corporation, that was convicted of stealing money from a resident of a Selinsgrove personal care home, is liable to pay its $68,000 fine.
-
Group offers weapons against cyber crime
With increased budget pressures forcing more police departments to consider placing every available officer on patrol as much as possible, a nonprofit organization is providing funding to make the case that it makes sense to continue efforts to try to identify sexual predators online.
-
Ex-chief clerk fights to keep lawsuit alive
Kymberley Best, the fired Northumberland County chief clerk, is willing to dismiss one count of her federal lawsuit but opposes a defense motion to dismiss the entire case.
-
Judge sets May trial date for Sandusky abuse case
BELLEFONTE — A judge said today he would decide soon whether to grant former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky greater freedom — and visits from his young grandchildren — while he awaits trial on child sex-abuse charges, but prosecutors countered that Sandusky's home is not a safe place for children.
-
Lewisburg schools face cuts in personnel, programs
LEWISBURG -- Superintendent Mark DiRocco told the Lewisburg school board Thursday night that a proposed block grant system of school budget funding will run the district short of cash that will have to be made up through personnel and program cuts. Lewisburg's proposed 2012-13 budget stands at $28.6 million, with no less but also no more money coming from Harrisburg. "Even a neutral budget is problematic," DiRocco said.
-
Mom: Keller's response left her cold
LEWISBURG -- Like many people, Elise Nicol is concerned about Marcellus Shale and the industry's effects on Pennsylvania's environment. The Lewisburg mother of two cares about it enough that she sent an email to state Rep. Fred Keller, R-85 of Kreamer, asking him to oppose House Bill 1950, which passed the General Assembly on Wednesday.
-
Point Township authority concerned by sewer plant violations
NORTHUMBERLAND -- Point Township Sewer Authority members Thursday night expressed concerns about a Feb. 3 letter sent to the Northumberland Sewer Authority by the state's Department of Environmental Protection saying that the borough authority has violated the Clean Streams Act.
-
Persing truck fee idea stalls
SUNBURY -- While Pennsylvania has passed legislation allowing communities to collect impact fees in 35 counties, Northumberland County is not one of them, and business leaders and lawmakers do not think Sunbury Mayor David Persing's plan to try to do his own version of an impact fee will pass muster.
-
Barber draws a crowd
DANVILLE -- The talk can be spirited at times, ranging from hunting to sports to home repairs. "You hear all kinds of stories," Gene Koehler, of Riverside, said Thursday as he waited for a haircut at The Masters barbershop, 209 Mill St. No appointment is necessary. Customers can just walk in.
-
State board approves table games at Valley Forge casino
VALLEY FORGE — A casino resort scheduled to open this spring in the Philadelphia suburb of Valley Forge has been approved for table games.
-
Doctors telling more adults: Get out and exercise
ATLANTA — A new study shows more and more U.S. adults are being told by their doctor to get off their duffs and exercise. A government survey found nearly 33 percent of adults who saw a doctor in the previous year said they were told to exercise. That was up from about 23 percent in 2000.
- More News Headlines
-
