Washington County Board of Elections Special Meeting Outcome

Buchtan is currently on the primary ballot as a candidate for the position of Republican State Committeeman serving Washington County. In order to serve in that capacity, you must live in the county you seek to represent per the bylaws of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania and the Washington County Republican Party. Earlier this month, a decision was made by a Commonwealth Court judge and was later affirmed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court that Buchtan’s residency is in Greene County, not Washington County “My legal opinion is that Buchtan’s residency has been determined to be Greene County. However, we have been advised by the Department of State that the Washington County Board of Elections does not have the legal authority at this stage of the election calendar to remove anyone from the ballot. Only a court of competent jurisdiction has the authority to remove him at this stage, so I recommended the board to not take action on this matter to remove Buchtan,” Washington County Solicitor and Hearing Officer Gary Sweat said. With Sweat’s legal opinion, there was no motion for removal and the Board of Elections adjourned.