Latest news with #ToniaFernandez
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawrence Park polling station will not be handicap accessible this election
Disable voters in Lawrence Park Township's District One will have to cast their ballots in an alternative way. The Erie County Voter Registration Office was just made aware that the handicap accessible ramp is under construction at Eastminster Presbyterian Church. Schools across Erie celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week In response, the office has come up with a different method for those who cannot walk up the stairs. Disabled residents can vote curbside with an alternative ballot. City of Erie administration calls out Daria Devlin for 'inaccurate statements regarding budget' 'It's much like voting by mail. so they'll be given a ballot and they can vote in the privacy of their car and then they'll package it up in the privacy envelope and put in a declaration envelope and sign and date it and hand it back to the poll worker,' said Tonia Fernandez, director of elections for Erie County. Those unable to access the polling site will need to apply for the alternative ballots. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Early in-person voting begins for PA primary election
Early voting has started at the Erie County Courthouse ahead of the Pennsylvania primary election. Monday was the first day people could head to the elections office in the Erie County Courthouse and cast their ballots ahead of the election on May 20. Erie Co. Council puts in request for court tech support People must be qualified registered voters to vote early. You must also be a registered Democrat or Republican to take part. 'You just come into the office, you'll fill out a mail-in ballot application, and then also we do recommend you bring your photo ID. It's not required, but it will expedite the process. If you have your ID with you, it will take maybe 5 minutes. If you don't have your ID, it may take up to 20 minutes,' said Tonia Fernandez, director of elections for Erie County. Other important dates to keep in mind include May 5, which is the last day to register to vote in the primary, and May 13, which is the last day to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Erie City Council approves home rule charter ordinance. What's next?
City of Erie voters will get to weigh in on whether the city should study a new form of government. Erie City Council, during its regular meeting on April 16, voted 5-0 to give final approval to an ordinance regarding what's known as a home rule form of government. The ordinance, which was approved 5-0 on second reading without discussion, does not put home rule in place. Instead, it authorizes the creation of a ballot question that would ask city voters if they want to launch a nine-member commission to study the possibility of moving to a home rule charter. The question is expected to be on the ballot for the Nov. 4 municipal election. Further, citizens interested in serving on the home rule commission would have to be elected to those posts in relation to the ballot question. Those candidates will be required to collect 200 non-partisan signatures on nominating petitions, similar to what other candidates for elected office are required to do. Erie County Director of Elections Tonia Fernandez said the date to start circulating those petitions, and the deadline for submitting them to county elections officials, has yet to be determined. City Council gave preliminary approval to the ordinance on April 2. City Council rejected a similar ordinance in January after some members said they felt the issue was being rushed. Council members Tyler Titus, Ed Brzezinski, Jasmine Flores, Maurice Troop and Kathy Schaaf voted for the ordinance. Two of their colleagues, Council President Mel Witherspoon and Chuck Nelson, were absent Wednesday. If city voters approve a home rule study, the commission would compile a public report on what home rule government might look like in Erie and make a recommendation on whether or not to move forward with home rule. Then Erie voters would either approve or reject home rule through a second ballot question. The entire process could take years. Please enable Javascript to view this content. The process would essentially empower city government to create its own constitution with greater flexibility and independence regarding issues such as city operations, taxation and executive/legislative structure. Erie currently adheres to the state's Third Class City Code, with an optional charter, in terms of how its government operates. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, 'the basic authority to act in municipal affairs is transferred from state law, as set forth by the General Assembly, to a local charter, adopted and amended by the voters." Home rule municipalities also have significant latitude to craft their own governmental rules in various areas, according to DCED, except where specifically limited by state law. Nelson is among those who has advocated for the home rule study, saying the move would give citizens more say on how the city is governed and give city officials more ability to craft laws and make decisions based on needs specific to Erie. Voters in Lancaster recently approved a home rule study. Two other third-class cities in Pennsylvania, Reading and Allentown, adopted home rule decades ago. Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@ Follow him on X at @ETNflowers. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie voters will get chance to weigh in on home rule charter
