Carbon County is looking for a new elections director.

On Thursday afternoon, the county commissioners received a letter of resignation from Jennifer Ketchledge, the current director of elections, announcing that she will be stepping away from the position effective March 5.

“We knew there were rumors out there (about Ketchledge looking for other employment),” Commissioners’ Chairman Mike Sofranko said, stressing that the commissioners had not received Ketchledge’s resignation before the election board meeting Thursday morning.

The commissioners said via telephone that the position is posted on the county website and hope to find a suitable applicant to take over the office.

According to the job posting, the position pays $28.52 per hour.

The person would be responsible for all aspects of a county election and voter registration, ensuring Carbon County is in compliance with federal and state laws.

Ideally, the candidate should have at last two to four years experience in elections and supervision, have knowledge of the Pennsylvania State Voter Registration Act and election code.

Ketchledge has served as the county election director since March 2023.

Most recently, her office came under scrutiny after an issue that involved sending out a letter to a candidate stating they had won their race, when in fact they didn’t. The county had addressed this matter internally.

However, Commissioner Rocky Ahner released a statement saying that while the problem should not have happened, it is not a direct reflection of Ketchledge or her office.

“If election results and ballots are not on time the high-pressure job of the election departments are always assumed to be in the wrong,” he said. “Until politics are taken out of the equation and proper rules and regulations are implemented for the common voter there will be more dedicated workers like Jennifer Ketchledge leaving.”