The residents of Luzerne County in northeastern Pennsylvania have filed a lawsuit to overturn the decision made by county manager Romilda Crocamo to prevent the deployment of all four drop boxes for those voting by mail and absentee ballot in the upcoming election. The lawsuit argues that Crocamo lacks the authority to make such a decision and claims that the county Board of Elections and Registration had previously planned to deploy the drop boxes, as they have done in past elections. The plaintiffs are seeking to stop Crocamo from implementing her decision, stating that it will lead to irreparable harm to the voting rights of residents in Luzerne County.
The lawsuit accuses Crocamo of violating state election law and claims that her decision to not use drop boxes due to purported safety and security concerns is unfounded. The plaintiffs, including a nonprofit civic group called In This Together NEPA Inc., argue that there have been no substantiated cases of abuse or fraud involving drop boxes in Luzerne County. They also note that the drop boxes have been monitored by cameras, ensuring their security. Legal director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania, Witold Walczak, criticized Crocamo’s decision as an “end run around the board of elections’ decision” and called for the court to quickly restore the four drop boxes for voters in Luzerne County.
In response to the lawsuit, Crocamo declined to engage in public comment while the litigation is ongoing. Messages seeking comment were also left with members of the Elections and Registration Board, who are also named as defendants in the case. Crocamo has asserted that she has the authority to make decisions regarding county-owned properties and personnel, which includes the use of drop boxes for elections. However, the plaintiffs and their supporters argue that her decision is unjustified and undermines the voter access and safety provided by drop boxes.
The plaintiffs are seeking a court order to reverse Crocamo’s decision and ensure that the drop boxes are available for voters in Luzerne County for the upcoming election. They contend that the removal of the drop boxes would hinder access to a safe and easy option for voting by mail, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The lawsuit highlights the importance of maintaining secure and convenient voting options for all eligible voters and emphasizes the need to protect voting rights in Luzerne County.
The case has drawn attention to the debate over the use of drop boxes in elections, with advocates arguing that they provide a secure and convenient method for voters to submit their ballots without relying on traditional mail services. The outcome of the lawsuit could have significant implications for voting access in Luzerne County and may set a precedent for how drop boxes are utilized in future elections. As the legal battle continues, both sides are preparing to present their arguments before a county judge in order to determine the fate of the drop boxes in the upcoming election.
