Lawrence County Board of Elections unanimously certifies May 19 primary results

The Lawrence County Board of Elections voted unanimously Friday to certify the results of the May 19, 2026 general primary election after an update from Voter Services Director Tim Geriney.

Geriney told the board that only provisional ballots and a small number of military ballots changed results following post-election processing. "We had a total ballots cast for the election was 10,578," he said, adding a breakdown of 6,750 in-person election day ballots, 3,818 mail-in ballots and 10 provisional ballots. He reported turnout at about 18.44% and described the election as "uneventful."

The chair read "Proposed Resolution Number Six," which cites the Pennsylvania election code and directs the Lawrence County Board of Elections to certify the May 19 primary results. After a motion and a second, the board held a roll-call vote; the resolution carried with unanimous 'yes' votes from the commissioners present.

Geriney also reported on a pilot of electronic poll books conducted this spring in three locations (locations named in the record are partially garbled). He said voters and poll workers "were very receptive" and that the pilot produced accurate returns. Commissioners discussed phasing in additional electronic poll books for the fall election, contingent on available budget and potential grant funding, and asked staff to return with cost information and a recommendation.

Board members used the meeting to thank election staff, courthouse departments and poll workers for their work running the election. The chair noted that public-comment opportunities had been offered twice during the meeting but that no members of the public were present when the vote occurred. The board completed the certification paperwork and adjourned.

The certification resolution was approved; signatures on the document were to be completed after the meeting.