Concerns about unauthorized access have prompted officials in a Pennsylvania county to refrain from using drop boxes for the upcoming presidential election. These boxes, which are utilized in various states to allow voters to submit their mail-in ballots, will not be employed in Luzerne County due to worries about tampering.
County Manager Romilda Crocamo stated that she cannot guarantee the security of the drop boxes, leading to the decision to forego their use in November. With insufficient resources to monitor the boxes and prevent illegal activities such as ballot tampering, Crocamo emphasized the importance of prioritizing the safety and security of the community.
The absence of video surveillance during a previous election due to miscommunication further solidified the decision to avoid using drop boxes. Additionally, the cost of insuring the boxes, with a limited coverage of $10,000, poses a significant financial risk to the county in case of any incidents.
Luzerne County, located in northeastern Pennsylvania, houses approximately 326,000 residents, with Wilkes-Barre as its largest city. Despite the presence of four drop boxes in recent elections, including one at a senior living facility, Crocamo highlighted concerns about unauthorized access and misuse due to lack of oversight.
Alternative options for voters to submit their mail-in ballots include dropping them off at the election bureau located in Suite 207 at the Penn Place Building. The decision to abstain from using drop boxes for the presidential election received support from Luzerne County Board of Elections Chairwoman Denise Williams and Vice Chair Alyssa Fusaro.
Fusaro commended Crocamo for her bold decision, expressing confidence that the drop boxes may not be utilized in future elections as well. The move underscores the county’s commitment to ensuring the integrity and security of the voting process amid ongoing concerns about election security.
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