By LAURA JAMESON ljameson@lockhaven.com
LOCK HAVEN - General Election results for 2023 have been certified in Clinton County with minimal changes, according to the Clinton County Voter Registrar's office.
Voter Registrar Maria Boileau said results were certified by the county's Board of Elections - President Judge Craig Miller, Commissioner Miles Kessinger and Court Administrator Don Powers - on Monday.
Official results are now available on the county's website, www.clintoncountypa.gov.
Boileau said voter turnout was at 41.5 percent, with 8,981 ballots cast.
"For a municipal election with a commissioner race, that's pretty much where we were in 2019," she said. "It is a little bit higher, and I think that might be because of mail in and absentee ballots."
One thousand and six hundred ballots were cast via mail-in and absentee ballot this election cycle, Boileau said.
"We had a couple of people say they really appreciated it because of their schedule, timing or health," she said.
And the usual poll workers that assist at the county's precincts received an extra hand thanks to a partnership between the county and local schools.
Boileau said the county instituted the Student Poll Worker Program for the General Election.
"We invited the schools to recruit students as poll workers during the day," she said, noting students had to be at least 17, in good standing and have a recommendation from a teacher, principal and parent permission.
In total, the county received help from 26 students from the Keystone Central School District and one from Sugar Valley Rural Charter School. Students assisted in 16 of the county's 34 precincts.
"It was really nice and a great experience," she said. "They get paid like regular poll workers and we'll send out a survey and see how their day went."
Boileau thanked Haley Eisenhower at KCSD for helping spearhead the program within the district.
"She really took hold of the program on her end and did a phenomenal job," she said. "We'll touch base with her early next year. I know she was able to recruit a teacher through Bucktail High School and we'll expand in Sugar Valley, too."
During a time when it can sometimes be difficult to find poll workers, Boileau said the Student Poll Worker Program really helped bridge a gap.
"It's nice right before a presidential election to be able to tap into something like this," she said. "All our poll workers seemed to really enjoy their participation."
Boileau shared some of the messages she received from both poll workers and students.
"I had a wonderful experience working with Deb, Susan, Derek and the others this past election day," one KCSD student who assisted in Lamar Township, said. "I was wondering if I could do it again during spring 2024? I had a lot of fun and learned a lot about the rigor of what it takes to run a polling station."
Sue Wilt, who works at the Porter Township precinct, also had positive words to share.
"I just thought I would share my thoughts, that it was a pleasure to work with the two student poll workers on Election Day," Wilt said. "They were very personable and were willing to pitch in. We were able to rotate them among a variety of 'tasks.' I certainly would be in favor of continuing this opportunity for high school students."
Bonnie Nichols, the Judge of Elections in Pine Creek Township II, echoed Wilt's statements.
"Both students used the electronic pollbook and did a very good job," she said.
Boileau said she hopes this program can help encourage more young people to take time to assist at local polls and become involved in the election process.
With election results officially certified, Boileau said an Oath of Office Ceremony will be held on Friday, Dec. 29, at 10 a.m., in the large courtroom of the Clinton County Courthouse.
"All of those people who won an office are invited to come and they can be sworn in on that day," Boileau said. "That's always a nice day and to see everybody."
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