Two months remain until Pennsylvania’s primary on May 17.

And the maps outlining the districts for seats in the state House and Senate weren’t finalized until Wednesday afternoon.

The lack of clarity until this week brings real downstream effects for the county’s election operations.

“We are at a crucial stage where we will have difficulty completing all of our tasks to run the election,” Commissioner Ben Kafferlin said.

The state Supreme Court has settled on Congressional maps for the Commonwealth and Wednesday marked the deadline for submitting nominating petitions for those seats as well as state-wide office, according to a Department of State elections calendar.

But the district lines for the General Assembly have been tied up before the court for several weeks in the wake of a challenge brought by several individuals including Pa. House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff.

Benninghoff’s petition for review cited a statement by the Supreme Court that the voters choose their representatives and not the other way around.

The map approved by the commission “eviscerates that principle,” he asserts and “subordinates the nonpartisan redistricting criteria” required in the state Constitution.

The maps were approved by the bipartisan commission in a 4-1 decision. Benninghoff was the sole vote in opposition.

The Supreme Court upheld the Commission’s maps in a brief order on Wednesday, stating that the final plan “is in compliance with the mandates” of the state and federal Constitutions.

“Further,” the order states, “it is hereby ordered that said plan shall be used in all forthcoming elections to the General Assembly until the next Constitutionally-mandated reapportionment shall be approved.”

Friday now marks the first day to circulate petitions for seats in the General Assembly. That window will close on March 28.

“I’m pleased with this ruling because not only were these maps fair, reasonable and supported in a bipartisan way, today’s decision means we can proceed with our election calendar and folks can begin preparation to run for office or learn who their potential representatives will be,” Jay Costa, LRC member and Senate Democratic leader said in a statement.

“I supported this map because I believe it is representative and gives Pennsylvanians a fair voice in their state government, and I’m excited to see the electoral process begin this year.”

Benninghoff responded to the ruling by lashing the court for an order that “reflects the Pennsylvania Supreme Court majority’s continued shift from a fair arbiter of fact and law to a rubber stamp for liberal special interests and left-wing partisan political positions.”

Warren County Elections Director Krystle Ransom said that ballots for those voting by mail or via absentee need to be mailed out “not later than the second Tuesday prior to the primary or election.

“Normally we would aim to get them out sooner, however given the circumstances of this election we are going to be pushed right up to that deadline,” she said.

“For us, it is not about taking a side in this situation but asking for a swift decision so we can plan and address the community’s needs,” Commissioner Tricia Durbin said.

“Regardless of what happens, Warren County will conduct an accurate and successful election. But resources are already stretched, and timing is everything,” Ransom said.

“Bottom line, we will make it work,” Kafferlin said.