News from Kathy Vest
Chester County Administrator
of Elections
The 2026 election cycle will be upon us before we know it. Last week both local political parties filed with the election office a call for a primary. That primary will be held May 5, 2026. Both the Republican party and the Democrat party have chosen to let the voters decide who will represent each party in the local general election that will take place in August 2026.
Based on this decision, the first day an individual will be able to pick up a petition for local office will be Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The qualifying deadline for those positions will be noon on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.
While the Republican and Democrat candidates for the August election will be decided in the May primary, individuals may choose to run as an Independent candidate appearing only on the August general ballot. These Independent candidates will have the same pick up and qualifying deadlines as those participating in the primary.
For those considering a run for office, there will be a public information session held at 6 p.m. Nov. 10, 2025, at City Hall. During this time, the Chester County Election Commission will walk through the process and explain the paperwork that is needed to qualify as a candidate. This will also be a time to ask questions about specific position requirements.
Local positions that will be on the 2026 ballot include: Chester County Mayor, 18 County Commission seats (three per district), County Trustee, County Clerk, Register of Deeds, Circuit Court Clerk, Sheriff, Superintendent of Roads, three school board positions (Districts 1, 5 and 6), three Henderson City Alderman seats, Enville Mayor, and five Enville Alderman seats.
