This week, Erie is hosting the 2026 Pennsylvania Election Personnel Conference, potentially bringing election office leaders from all 67 Pennsylvania counties to the Bayfront Convention Center.

In advance of the conference, Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt visited the Erie County Elections Office, to meet the staff and see firsthand the latest technology and security upgrades that have been implemented.

Schmidt, the Commonwealth’s top election official, commended the staff for efficiently managing elections despite operating with a relatively small team.

“Erie has very well run elections and the team there is very dedicated,” Schmidt said. “Given the number of voters that Erie has, it’s incredible that dedicated but small crew working at the elections office is able to provide the services that they do.”

The visit comes as Erie County election officials prepare to share their experiences and best practices with colleagues from across the state during the conference.

Clerk of Elections Karen Chilcott and Director of Elections Tonia Fernandez will present on how Erie County successfully navigated the 2024 ballot vendor crisis, which resulted in long lines at the Erie County Courthouse during the election.

Fernandez said their presentation will highlight the county’s preparation and response to an unexpected challenge.

“We will be presenting how organized we were and how ready we were for that election and then the unexpected hit — and then how we actually handled that,” Fernandez said.

In addition to visiting the elections office, Schmidt was part of a luncheon and ceremony at Mount St. Benedict, where he met with the Benedictine Sisters of Erie to formally recognize them for refuting false voter fraud claims made against them during the 2024 election.

During the ceremony, Schmidt presented Sisters Marcia Sigler and Rosanne Loneck, both 82 years old, with certificates welcoming them into the Pennsylvania Voter Hall of Fame. The honor recognized them for voting in at least 50 consecutive November elections.

Schmidt said the sisters’ commitment to voting serves as an example for others.

“The sisters have a terrific voting record and they’re really a model for all of us,” Schmidt said. “That’s why it was really so important for us to come here and to recognize them and to encourage them to continue their incredible work on behalf of our system of government.”

At the conference, Chilcott will also show an Erie News Now story documenting the 2024 ballot vendor crisis, when those long lines formed at the Erie County Courthouse and voters worried about getting the correct ballots submitted on time. Election officials selected the report as part of their presentation on the county’s response to the unexpected challenge, underscoring the important role accurate local journalism played in keeping voters informed during a difficult election.