What is County Row?
In addition to the Commissioners, Lancaster voters also elect officials to head the following county-wide departments: Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans’ Court, Prothonotary, Recorder of Deeds, Treasurer, Controller, Coroner, Sheriff and District Attorney.
The term "row office" originates either from having offices situated in a row along a corridor in a courthouse or being listed in a row on the elections ballot.
Want to know more about the ways that County Row offices interact with the community?
Click the linked text under each office to read more.
Register of Wills
The Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans Court records the change in ownership of assets through inheritance and tracks guardianship of minor children and persons deemed incapacitated (who are responsible for their assets). Other duties include taking applications and issuing marriage licenses!
An example of what this means to community through the lens of probate can be seen in the work of the Philadelphia Register of Wills and “tangled titles”.
2023 Election
Background on the Office
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas
The Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas is responsible for the recording, maintenance, and processing of criminal and juvenile records paperwork related to cases heard in the Court of Common Pleas.
2024
Continued Staff Turnover:
2023
Republicans’ Internal Discord Over Handling of the Office:
A newcomer to Republican politics, Nicky Woods could be the next Lancaster County clerk of courts
Parsons and D'Agostino defend record in bid for new term as commissioners
Impacts of Delayed License Suspensions on the Community:
Lancaster County residents get notice of suspended license from old convictions
Lancaster County judge throws out delayed driver's license suspensions for 2 people
Office Turnover:
Lancaster County clerk of courts resigns ahead of November election
Interim Lancaster County clerk of courts wins 'Courthouse Employee of the Year' award
2023 Election:
Political novices square off in Lancaster County clerk of courts race [Voters Guide 2023]
While appreciative of the LNP’s efforts to educate voters about the candidates on the ballot, there seems to be an imbalance in terms of how much background is shared on Nicky versus Tara. Voters might have been interested to hear about Tara’s decision to stay in the race as a pregnant mom to a toddler while also helping to manage her veteran grandfather’s health needs in the last months of his life.
GOP wins key Lancaster clerk of courts and Register of Wills races
Clerk of the Court in Other Counties