The battle for control of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives runs through Butler County this August as Republican Scott Timko and Democrat Brandon Dukes compete in a special election to succeed former Rep. Stephenie Scialabba. The outcome could either narrow the Democrats’ majority to a single vote or expand Democrats’ majority.
With the election just one month away, the Bureau of Elections has finalized key voter deadlines. The deadline to register to vote in this special election is August 3, 2026. Voters intending to use an absentee or mail-in ballot must submit their applications by August 11, 2026.
According to Butler County Elections Director Chantell McCurdy, 52,509 registered voters across 27 precincts are eligible to cast ballots in the Aug. 18 special election.
The election was ordered following the issuance of a Writ of Election by the Speaker of the Pennsylvania House, as required under state law for legislative vacancies.
Republican candidate Scott Timko campaigns ahead of the August 18 special election.
Mid-Summer Election Logistics
McCurdy said the special election falls during a unique period on the election calendar, between the May primary and November general election.
“Once the county receives the Writ of Election it can begin planning to conduct the election,” McCurdy explained. “This particular election happens to fall in between the primary and general elections for 2026. This timeframe means the election preparation cannot begin until after the primary election is conducted. The special election must then happen before the general election preparation can begin.”
The Butler County Bureau of Elections has now received the official certified candidate listing from the Pennsylvania Department of State, confirming Brandon Dukes and Scott Timko as the Democratic and Republican nominees, respectively.
Unlike a primary or general election, the special election will be conducted as a standalone election and voters will see only one race on the ballot.
Cost and Historical Turnout
Although Butler County officials have not released a cost estimate, McCurdy said the election will require the same level of preparation as a general election within the district’s boundaries.
“We are required to conduct a full election for that district,” she said. “The primary difference is that the ballot will only contain one race.”
Staffing and ballot production remain the largest expenses associated with conducting elections, according to McCurdy. However, the cost will not ultimately be borne by local taxpayers.
“The Department of State is required to reimburse the expenses for a Special Election,” she said.
The county’s most recent comparable special election occurred in March 2020 for the former 8th Legislative District. Records indicate that election cost more than $60,000 and attracted turnout of just 11.53 percent among eligible voters.
The district involved in the upcoming election is substantially larger than the district involved in Butler County’s most recent legislative special election. The 2020 election was conducted in the former 8th Legislative District, which included 15 precincts and 15,434 registered voters. By comparison, the current 12th Legislative District consists of 27 precincts and 52,509 registered voters.
Historical turnout data suggest voter participation in the Aug. 18 special election could be significantly lower than during a typical general election. If those historical trends continue, only a fraction of eligible voters could ultimately decide who represents the district in Harrisburg.
All registered voters residing within the 12th Legislative District are eligible to vote in the Aug. 18 election.
Voter identification requirements remain unchanged. Pennsylvania law requires identification only for voters casting ballots at their polling location for the first time.
McCurdy said election officials are currently verifying polling locations but expect voters to use the same polling places that were open during previous elections.
According to McCurdy, the county will begin mailing out ballots to those who have already applied starting next week. Election officials emphasize that completed ballots must be physically received at the Bureau of Elections by 8:00 PM on Election Day, August 18, 2026. Under Pennsylvania law, postmarks do not count.
Meet the Candidates for Pennsylvania House District 12. Republican Scott Timko and Democrat Brandon Dukes answered the same seven questions from The 228 Times on key issues like the Route 228 corridor, education policy, and cost of living. Read their full, unedited responses here to compare their platforms:
Aug. 18 Special Election: Meet the Candidates for Pennsylvania House District 12
