One of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s most populated regions will reinstate drop boxes for the upcoming presidential election, reversing a previous decision to remove them.
Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo made the decision following communication from Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry (D). Crocamo had removed Luzerne County drop boxes in late September, citing concerns over their security. She pointed to nationwide reports of suspicious items being placed in the boxes and the county’s limited resources to monitor and secure them properly. This followed a February vote by the county board of elections, which narrowly passed 3-2 in favor of using drop boxes for the November election.
In early September, the Republican National Committee (RNC) sent a letter to Luzerne County’s chief solicitor, urging election officials to enhance the security of drop boxes. The RNC warned that they would pursue legal action if security was not improved.
At the time of the removal, Crocamo emphasized that the decision was not a rejection of drop boxes in principle but reflected the heightened political tension in the county. “It’s just that right now, in Luzerne County, the political climate is really at the boiling point,” she said, expressing concerns for the safety of workers tasked with managing the drop boxes.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Pennsylvania responded by filing a lawsuit on behalf of the community nonprofit In This Together NEPA. The suit, filed on October 1, argued that Crocamo violated state election law by unilaterally removing the drop boxes and sought to have them reinstated. After Crocamo agreed to restore the drop boxes, the ACLU withdrew its motion for a preliminary injunction.
