Former Prothonotary Debbie Bookman (D).
Chester County officials mistakenly leave prothonotary off primary ballot
When Chester County Democrats and Republicans go to the polls for the primary election on May 20, they won’t be able to vote on a candidate for county prothonotary.
Even though the former prothonotary, Democrat Debbie Bookman, resigned last October amid an investigation into financial irregularities, county officials somehow failed to include the prothonotary position on the primary ballot.
As a result, the two major parties — and not voters in a primary — will pick the nominees to face off in November’s general election.
A county row officer, the prothonotary serves as the chief clerk of the county’s Court of Common Pleas and is responsible for civil court documents and case filings.
County Chief Executive Officer David A. Byerman said the county legal staff had not included the prothonotary on the primary ballot.
“The error was realized well after the filing deadline and as ballot printing was getting underway,” said Byerman. “County staff brought this issue to the county commissioners (Wednesday) morning as soon as our legal research and internal deliberations confirming the error were complete.
“The commissioners unanimously agreed that the major county parties should be notified immediately. That same day, we convened a conference call with the chairs and solicitors of both the Republican and Democratic parties. We laid out the remedy, which is the same time-tested procedure we typically follow to fill unexpected municipal vacancies on the ballot.
“The major parties will determine their nominees through their own processes, and those candidates will appear on the fall general election ballot. The newly elected prothonotary will fill the remainder of Ms. Bookman’s term (two years),” Byerman said.
“Kristen Hume is currently serving as acting prothonotary and I brought her up to speed last night, well after the commissioners and party officials were notified. I have not asked her if she will be a candidate this fall.”
Chester County GOP chair Dr. Raffi Terzian confirmed the party was informed about the error.
“During a conference call yesterday with county officials, including Commissioner (Chair Josh) Maxwell, we were informed that the office of prothonotary should have been included on the ballot for this election cycle. The county acknowledged that a significant error was made by county officials and the county solicitor, who provided erroneous guidance regarding the disposition of the office of prothonotary. As a result, the position will now appear on the ballot in the upcoming municipal election in November, not on the primary ballot.
“They did not provide any information as to how this glaring error occurred, or when they first learned about it, or why they waited until yesterday to inform party representatives,” Terzian added.
Democrats control Chester County government, and the local Democratic Party was reluctant to criticize.
“A mistake was made,” Chester County Democratic Chairwoman Charlotte Valyo told DV Journal.
“The Board of Elections took responsibility for the error, acted immediately to inform both parties, and provided the information we need to solve the problem. The Chester County Democratic Committee is moving forward to nominate a candidate for the office of Prothonotary and work to elect that candidate.”
Byerman added, “This was a good-faith mistake, and mistakes sometimes happen. What’s as important is what happens next. We have worked to rectify this situation with integrity and fairness, and we’re on track to have a democratically elected successor this fall.”
Linda Stein is News Editor at Delaware Valley Journal.
This article was republished with permission from the Delaware Valley Journal.
Wikipedia says: U.S. President Harry S. Truman was introduced to a prothonotary during a campaign stop in Pittsburgh in 1948. It is rumored that Truman’s first reaction upon hearing the term “prothonotary” was to say “What the hell is a prothonotary?” It has also been claimed that Truman called “prothonotary” the most impressive-sounding political title in the U.S.
“The Prothonotary in most other states is known as the Court Clerk. In Pennsylvania, the “Court Clerk” (Clerk of the Courts) is usually dealing specifically with the Criminal Court, while the Prothonotary is involved with non-criminal court records and filings, exclusive of property deed recording and wills (and marriage licenses) — the keeper/clerk of the civil records/division for the court. Work is generated from the court and through filings from both attorneys and the general public. For example, name changes, civil and family court records, passports, judgments and liens will be handled or have corresponding records administered by the Prothonotary.
The Prothonotary also provides the avenue for external oversight of the Judiciary without the legislative or executive branch of government’s interference with its actions or independence. This elected official perseveres for the public unfettered access to a fair and accurate record of opinions, decisions and judgments of the court. (Source: Lancaster County)
NOTE: There is a County Clerk position that is in support of the County Commissioners and handles all county government documents, meeting notes, agendas, etc as well as the official business of the county, including county grants and contracts. It is not related to the Clerk of Court or Prothonotary.
Not all Pennsylvania counties have an elected position of Prothonotary. For example, in Delaware County the functions that would be have been previously handled by the Prothonotary are now performed by it’s Judicial Support Department’s Civil Division.” – Home > Blogs > Larry Yerkes > Larry’s Delaware Valley Overlook
I love how politicians, especially democrats, feign an apology for something that results from stupidity or purposeful deceit. If a republican did this, the lefties would be screaming “an attack on democracy!” In this instance they act as tough ‘everything’s under control – no need to worry’, but they just took your right to pick the candidate to run in the election, just like when they dumped Biden for Kamala. The prior protho resigned last October. That’s not exactly an unexpected vacancy. So who gets fired?
“I love how politicians, especially democrats, feign an apology for something that results from stupidity or purposeful deceit.” – You’re right, you should include in that;
Mexico will pay for the wall
No Americans will die from Covid
The election was rigged
I will lower the cost of gas and groceries
I will end Birthright Citizenship.
I will end the Ukrainian war in 24 hours
I will get North Korea to give up their nuclear weapons.
Trump claims Social Security lists 130,000 Americans older than 160.
The tale of the $50 million – no, make it $100 million – in condoms for Hamas.
Blaming Ukraine for starting the war on Ukraine.
Relentless deception about who pays tariffs.
No need to worry, according to Trump he is tough and everything is under control.
And living rent free in your head. Nothing I said had anything to do about Trump, and nothing you typed had anything to do with feigning an apology. What a miserable existence.
“I love how politicians, especially democrats,” – You only bring up Democrats, because you worship Trump for the false god that he is.
No, it’s the trait of the liberal mind associated primarily with democrat politicians. Again, living rent free in your head is Donald J. Trump – 45th and 47th President of the United Stats of America. The guy that you probably see staring back at you from your morning bowl of Fruit Loops.