WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania has filed a lawsuit over the Luzerne County manager's decision to remove all ballot drop boxes ahead of the general election.
In September, it was announced the county would not be deploying the boxes. The decision has sparked plenty of controversy. The ACLU of Pennsylvania says Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo did not have the authority to make her decision.
"The elections code is very clear that all decisions about how to run elections for the county have to be made by the board of elections," said ACLU of Pennsylvania Legal Director Witold J. Walczak.
The ACLU of Pennsylvania says state law clearly demonstrates that the Luzerne County Board of Elections should have made the decision, not the county manager.
ACLU of PA files lawsuit over Luzerne County drop box removal
"The decision to get rid of the drop boxes was never presented to them so we think it's an illegal action and the drop boxes should be reinstated," Walczak explained.
The suit is filed against Crocamo in her official capacity on behalf of voters in Luzerne County and the voters' rights group In This Together NEPA. While Crocamo did not comment on the lawsuit specifically, she has previously stated the boxes were removed for safety and security reasons.
The Board of Elections' most recent approval for the use of drop boxes was in February.
"The most recent decision by the board of elections to continue using those drop boxes is the one that needs to be honored, until and unless they take a vote and change their minds," Walczak added.
With the general election just five weeks away, the ACLU has put in a request for the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas to move quickly.
A hearing is anticipated to begin next week.
