Drop boxes

Griffith criticized the surveillance resolution as wordy political fodder aimed at Belles, saying Section Two alone would suffice and Section Three amounts to withholding funding from municipalities. He also urged council not to fund election drop boxes until the Board of Elections approves them and picks locations.

Strongly advocated for more drop boxes, citing accessibility for elderly, disabled, and working voters and low primary turnout of 27%.

Supported additional drop boxes, describing difficulty reaching the existing location from DuPont and a mail ballot that arrived too late.

Shared 2024 experiences with late mail ballots and asked about the designated agent form; also supports returning a drop box to Pittston Library.

Opposed drop boxes as an unnecessary taxpayer expense of at least $12,000 per box and suggested prepaid return envelopes instead.

Opposed new drop boxes citing failed security at Penn Place and cost, and said legal voters need not fear law enforcement.

Described observing a woman depositing multiple ballots at the Penn Place drop box, questioning security.

Supported drop boxes, arguing taxpayers including elderly and minority residents deserve voting access.

Argued trust in the post office has eroded, making prepaid mail return unreliable as an alternative to drop boxes.

Opposed expansion, citing chain-of-custody form lapses, costs up to $300,000, unmonitored designated agent forms, and fraud examples elsewhere.

Called the challenge absurd and urged rejection; said drop boxes create a problem that doesn't exist and warned of lawsuits over siting.

Supported a nearby drop box option and said she will carry her passport to the polls out of caution.

Supported drop boxes as safe for working-class voters, cited a budget surplus, and reported being misled by a signature gatherer.

Urged adding at least two drop boxes for the primary, suggesting a budget proposal to council and restoration of sites like Misericordia and Pittston Library.

Criticized council for not announcing public emails as bylaws require, called for a LERTA moratorium, and questioned whether the Hazleton drop box benefits enough voters.

Described driving her elderly father and uncle to return mail ballots because she can't trust the mail, and cited 200 unreturned mail ballots in Pittston and last-minute polling place moves.

Argued voting is a constitutional right that should be easy, noting many elderly and disabled neighbors can't drive to Wilkes-Barre and her own ballot never arrived in 2024.

Argued mail ballot exceptions don't happen on schedule and called for more drop boxes, saying two for the whole county is 'stupid.'

Voiced support for more drop boxes, saying it's 2026 and the county should make voting easier.

A regular drop box user who wants more throughout the county, plus pre-canvassing of mail ballots before election day.

Supported the drop box ordinance, saying expanding access expands the right to vote for everyone in Luzerne County.

Called for a LERTA moratorium, said homeowners are losing homes while corporations get tax breaks, and questioned whether the Hazleton drop box benefits southern county voters.

Described driving her elderly father and uncle to return ballots and cited postal service disruptions and moved polling places in 2024.

Argued voting is a constitutional right that should be accessible to elderly, disabled, and carless residents; shared her own lost ballot experience.

Criticized council majority on election integrity, citing the removal of petition signatures and opposition to the Save America Act.

Argued voters need flexible ballot access because life circumstances don't follow schedules, and said two drop boxes for the whole county is not enough.

Voiced support for more drop boxes as a secure way to return mail ballots.

A regular drop box user who strongly supports more locations; also suggested pre-canvassing mail ballots and noted released surveillance footage showed no fraud.

Supported expanding drop box access as a voting right for all county residents.

Fusaro thanked the clerk and Belles's legal representation, questioned county-funded attorneys for Belles, criticized the county overruling the election board on drop boxes, and pressed for action on four closed bridges. She also read a news account about Arnone's arrest.

In the work session, Griffith mocked the drop box push ('we have mailboxes'), questioned their legality under the election code, and said he'll file a right-to-know for the cost of the sunshine law lawsuit, calling the insider trading referendum politically motivated.

Kochan said the drop box resolution is a moot attempt to influence the election board, argued drop boxes add expense and sheriff staffing burdens, and said the council should focus on roads, bridges and taxes instead.

Rabo argued drop boxes lack statutory authority under Act 77 and rest only on expired COVID-era court orders, questioned insurance coverage for related litigation, and claimed his speaking time was cut short.

Mascaro thanked Councilwoman Williams for 'educating' Lombardo on drop boxes versus mailboxes, then asked whether the county paid for Walter Griffith's wiretapping and defamation legal fees, quoting Rep. Jim Addock.