Will Drop boxes be allowed in Luzerne County

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The controversy over the use of ballot drop boxes in Luzerne County is taking yet another turn Friday.

Two members of the election board are weighing in on the controversy as a court hearing on the matter is scheduled for Monday.

Your Local Election Headquarters

This all centers around the decision made by County Manager Romilda Crocamo to not deploy the drop boxes for the November election citing security and safety concerns for the public and county employees.

That decision prompted a lawsuit filed by the ACLU and a reaction from the State Attorney General.

The I-Team’s Andy Mehalshick is working the story and has the latest developments coming up on 28/22 News.

It’s still unclear tonight if ballot drop boxes will be in use for the November election. This as a controversy surrounding a decision not to deploy those boxes takes yet another turn on Friday.

28/22 News I-team Reporter Andy Mehalshick is working the story and joins us live from your Local Election Headquarters.

It appears that the Luzerne County Election Board will have the final say as to whether or not ballot drop boxes will be used for the November election.

“What’s going to end up happening, [It] sounds like it’s coming back on the board, the election board,” said Luzerne County Election Board Member, Rick Morelli.

Rick Morelli is one of the five members of the Luzerne County Election Board, which approved the use of mail in ballot drop boxes in February. But in September, County Manager Romilda Crocamo, rescinded that decision citing safety and security concerns.

Crocamo argued that she had the authority, under the County Charter, to make the decision, since she has the responsibility for the safety of county employees, but that decision set off a firestorm of controversy and debate.

A lawsuit was filed against Crocamo by the ACLU and the group “In This Together NEPA” saying that under state election code, county election boards have the sole authority to make decisions regarding the use of drop boxes.

The state attorney general also sent a letter to Crocamo Thursday directing her to follow the order of the election board. The attorney who represents the county manager then fired off a letter stating:

She had no intention on overstepping her authority, and only made the decision out of concern for the safety and security of our election. Romilda will work with the board to address any and all concerns.

Mark Cedrone

“I’ll be making a motion to get rid of the boxes. I know that our Chairperson Denise is going to be making a counter decision to keep the boxes along with additional measures that keeps things where they are at,” stated Morelli.

Voters like Stephen Falatovich, from Suglarloaf Township, say they are frustrated watching this all unfold.

“I’m a little concerned because I would think the election board should be in charge of the boxes,” expressed Falatovich.

There are a lot of moving parts to this story. Next stop, a court hearing on the lawsuit Monday morning at 10:00 a.m.

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