Ballot drop box review — May 2026 primary
Summary
Residents packed the meeting on both sides of whether to add drop boxes. The board moved one Hazleton box to City Hall but said there's no time or money to add boxes before November, possibly revisiting for future elections.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 3
- Last 30 days
- 0
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Sep 16, 2026.
Impact analysis
New boxes would cost roughly $20,000 each plus software and maintenance; none are in the 2027 budget.
Elderly, disabled, and working voters gain easier ballot return if boxes are added.
Opponents argue taxpayers bear the cost without proven need.
Mentions & discussions (3)
Board of Elections & Registration - Sep 16, 2026
Residents packed the meeting on both sides of whether to add drop boxes. The board moved one Hazleton box to City Hall but said there's no time or money to add boxes before November, possibly revisiting for future elections.
County Council (Work) - Sep 8, 2026
Council asked the Election Board to study adding drop boxes for the 2026 general election and to look at moving the Hazleton box back to City Hall. Supporters say only two drop boxes for a geographically huge county is absurd; opponents cite fraud and cost worries.
Board of Elections & Registration - Aug 19, 2026
The board's drop box review committee was scheduled to report its findings on how ballot drop boxes performed in the May 2026 primary. Drop box policies affect how easily voters can return mail ballots. No record of the findings was provided.
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