Pennsylvania County Takes Drastic Action Amid Election Security Fears

Pennsylvania’s Luzerne County decides to remove ballot drop boxes, stirring election security debates ahead of the upcoming elections.

At a Glance

A Pennsylvania county is removing ballot drop boxes due to security concerns.
County officials cite issues like lack of oversight and vulnerability of drop box locations.
Voters are now encouraged to submit ballots directly to the county’s election bureau.
Removal of drop boxes aims to ensure greater election integrity.

Election Security Concerns in Luzerne County

Luzerne County officials have decided to remove mail-in ballot drop boxes before the November election, citing significant security and oversight issues. Romilda Crocamo, the county’s election manager, highlighted several shortcomings, including unreliable security cameras and insufficient safeguarding of the drop boxes. The move has the backing of County Council Chairman John Lombardo and election board chair Denise Williams, who both stress the necessity of maintaining the election’s integrity.

Crocamo emphasized that the county could not ensure the security of the drop boxes, a pressing concern given the intense political climate. With securing and monitoring these drop boxes proving challenging and costly, involving personnel like sheriffs has become untenable. Voters have been advised to deliver their ballots directly to the county’s election bureau to guarantee proper handling.

Drop boxes are a secure and accessible way to submit your mail ballot. Some counties will provide drop boxes, drop-off locations, & other means of returning mail-in ballots for the November 8 election. Learn more about mail-in voting: https://t.co/lSA2sCrpdY pic.twitter.com/JxQbkbUia7

— PA Department of State (@PAStateDept) July 20, 2022

Investigations and Legislative Actions

A Republican-led state Senate committee in Pennsylvania has been investigating claims of voting irregularities from the last election. Though no widespread issues were proven, the committee’s hearings have focused heavily on ballot drop boxes. Several witnesses reported seeing illegal ballot drops, although the validity of these claims comes into question as witnesses were not obliged to sign affidavits or testify under oath.

Sen. Cris Dush, chair of the committee, mentioned that the hearings are meant for information gathering, not prosecutions. However, critics argue that these actions serve as a pretext to impose stricter voting laws. Voting rights advocates warn that similar investigations in other states have led to laws suppressing voter access, mainly affecting communities of color.

Drop boxes provided by your county are a secure and accessible way to return your mail ballot to your county board of elections. Find a drop box or drop-off location near you: https://t.co/XyY1GFVGQg pic.twitter.com/HzvcLpRoKE

— PA Department of State (@PAStateDept) April 17, 2024

Court Rulings and Future Implications

Despite the removal of the drop boxes, Pennsylvania courts have previously ruled that these boxes are constitutional and beneficial in enabling voter participation. A recent investigation in Lehigh County found instances where multiple ballots were dropped off by family members but did not suggest widespread fraud.

The Pennsylvania State Senate committee plans to issue a comprehensive report and propose legislation based on the findings. Some proposed bills aim to ban ballot drop boxes entirely, reflecting efforts to tighten voting regulations. As Luzerne County eliminates the use of drop boxes, officials and residents express relief at the move, seeing it as a step towards bolstering election integrity.