LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo tells 28/22 News that the county is "dealing with the issue" segregating ballots with a spelling error in Representative Alec J. Ryncavage's name.
The initial mail-in ballot was sent to some 6,700 voters in the 119th State House District of Luzerne County. The last name of Republican incumbent Alec Ryncavage is incorrectly spelled with the letter T instead of an R.
"A staff member inadvertently included the Tyncavage ballots with the replacement Ryncavage ballots. We are working with the Board of Elections and the Department of State to mitigate the issue. The candidates have been notified," Crocamo explained.
Ballots with the spelling error were meant to be separated for the 119th District race.
In a statement regarding the error Ryncavage said;
"It has come to our attention that the Luzerne County Bureau of Elections has identified an issue in the segregation of erroneous mail ballots from the corrected ballots containing the updated spelling of my name. This segregation was to occur as part of the original procedures established by the county to address the mail-in ballot issue affecting the 119th District. Officials from my campaign present within the election bureau have confirmed that all mail-in ballot counting has been placed on hold while the county awaits recommendations from their legal counsel."
Rep Alec J Ryncavage
According to state law, mail-in ballot counting cannot begin until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, but the processing of mail-in ballots is able to begin at 7:00 a.m. on Election Day.
Ryncavage is running against his Democratic opponent Megan Kocher for control of the 119th District.
We will update you with the latest as it is released.
