LEWISTOWN — Mifflin County officials are preparing for the November election.

Paula Hoffman, Mifflin County director of elections, provided Mifflin County Commissioners with an update on the county’s readiness during the board’s Thursday meeting.

Hoffman reported that her office had processed 2,600 mail-in ballot applications, with an estimated 200 more expected. However, the state has not yet finalized the ballot design, delaying the printing process.

“We’re in a waiting stage,” Hoffman said. “We have not received finalization from the Commonwealth to start printing ballots or prepare

for processing.”

Hoffman clarified misconceptions about early voting in Pennsylvania.

“Pennsylvania does not have early voting,” she said. “Our mail-in ballots serve as the early voting option,” Hoffman emphasized that mail-in ballots cannot be opened or counted until Election Day, unlike true early voting systems where ballots are processed immediately.

The election office has already sent out ballots for overseas and military voters via email. Hoffman stressed the importance of returning completed ballots promptly to allow time for any necessary corrections.

Voter registration deadlines loom, with Oct. 22 as the last day to register and Oct. 28 as the final day to request a mail-in ballot. The election office will remain open until 5 p.m. on both dates to accommodate last-minute registrants.

In other business, the commissioners heard from Chelsea Reed, Director of the Mifflin-Juniata Area Agency on Aging. Reed appealed for support in urging state legislators to pass a supplemental budget for senior services in September.

“Due to lack of funding, the Department of Aging requested an extra $15.2 million from the lottery fund for PennCare, which was not approved,” Reed said. She outlined the array of services at risk, including senior centers, home-delivered meals, personal care, and transportation to senior centers.

The potential funding shortfall threatens the agency’s ability to maintain current service levels for the county’s

aging population.

Commissioner Robert Postal inquired about the impact on transportation services specifically. Reed confirmed that while transportation is funded separately through the Lottery Fund, the agency’s ability to pay for senior center transportation could be jeopardized without additional funding.

In other news, the Commissioners:

• Approved the request for exoneration of 2024 county portion per capita taxes for: Decatur Township Tax Collector Cindy McKnight on 43 properties; Newton Hamilton Tax Collector Melody Kane for two properties;

• Approved an amendment to lease with Greater Lewistown Corporation for the Agriculture Extension Office for Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2025 at a cost of $3,587.49 per month;

• Approved an application for county aid — 2024 Liquid Fuels Allocation: Bratton Township – $2,168;

• Approved work statement No. 8 with Delta Development Group to extend the agreement for an additional 24 months, beginning Oct. 1, for a fee of $6,000 per month;

• Approved an award notification for an Intermediate Punishment Program Grant for July 1, through June 30, 2025 in the amount of $95,000;

• Approved a juvenile probation services grant agreement for the 2024-25 fiscal year in the amount of $32,328;

• Approved the appointment of Michael Baker as the county Right to Know officer;

• Approved a Resolution No. 43 of 2024 for financing by Mifflin County Hospital Authority of a specific project to be undertaken regarding the facilities of Valley View Haven;

• Approved Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund 2024 Grant agreement in the amount of $51,000;

• Approved Mifflin County State Food Purchase Program Agreements for the fiscal year 2024-25: Hand of Grace/Grace Covenant Church, $21,348.18; Abuse Network, $4,574.61; Bible Baptist/New Life Church Soup Kitchen, $2,287.31; Bible Baptist/New Life Church, $9,149.22; Calvary Bible Church, $19,823.31; Lewistown VFW Post 7011, $2,287.31; Salvation Army, $7,624.35; Human Services/Administration, $3,500.57; Central Pennsylvania Food Bank – $2,333.72;

• Approved the Buchart Horn Change order for the CDBG Derry Township Senior Center Renovations Project – an increase of $2,775;

• Approved the 2025 holiday schedules for the prison, courthouse and 911 employees;

• Approved the contract with Corrections Consultants, LLC for the assessment of County Jail operations in the amount of $5,500;

• Approved the following personnel items: Resignation of George Hackenberry from part-time Corrections Officer, effective Aug. 21; Rescind the resignation of Children and Youth Caseworker Abigail Yoder; Hired Curtis Bailor, Matthew Boyer, and Alexia Berry as part-time corrections officers, effective Sept. 3; Resignation of Children & Youth Caseworker III Nathan Reese, effective Sept. 25.