Pittston does not allow the library to place storage boxes

Lucerne County lost another mail-in ballot box because the city of Pittston informed the county election commission on Tuesday that it would not allow the Pittston Memorial Library to host such a box.

Last month, the Wright Township Volunteer Fire Department notified the board that its fire department would not place a litter box in future county elections.

If replacement sites are not secured, the county will retain litter boxes at Misericordia University in Dallas and two county-owned facilities, Penn Place in downtown Wilkes-Barre and Broad Street Exchange in downtown Hazleton.

Pittston City Administrator Joseph Moskowitz sent an email to members of the Electoral Commission informing them that the city was ceasing to use the city-owned Pittston Memorial Library as a mailbox due to “potential legal fees and impact on our taxpayers.”

“The City regrets being forced to take these actions as they are not intended to represent the City’s position for or against the boxes,” Moskowitz wrote.

He wrote that Pittston had already incurred the costs of legal representation due to a citizen’s right to know challenge. Exposing the city over the litter box is “unacceptable” and prompted city officials to ban litter boxes on city property in future elections, he said.

“The City cannot, in good conscience, hold our taxpayers with the unknown responsibility of allowing the box to be used on City property,” his email reads, adding that the City hopes the county and the Board of Elections “can resolve the issues that continue to arise.” “. challenge our electoral system.”

He added that the city administration may reconsider the litter box decision if the election commission takes steps to “secure the city.”

It is not clear what county approval would be required to provide such protection, but it is unlikely that the administration would be willing to take on additional legal obligations and responsibilities. In addition, the majority of council members have publicly stated that they do not support the litter boxes approved by the majority of the Citizens’ Election Commission.

In Wright Township, township volunteer fire chief Dave Pettit said his department decided in November that it would no longer have a litter box due to “lack of space and operational changes.” Another factor was the possibility of a municipal restriction on litter boxes, he said.

On December 28, Wright Township Supervisors voted unanimously to pass a resolution asking the state legislature to overhaul state laws to ban unexcused mail voting and letter boxes.

A number of municipalities in the county have passed resolutions against litter boxes and more are expected.

County Election Commissioner Denise Williams, a litter box supporter, said Tuesday she is personally grateful to the Pittston Memorial Library for agreeing to provide the service.

“I would like to thank them for volunteering to take the lodge in the last four elections. It was a more active site and I’m sure voters really appreciated its accessibility,” Williams said.

Electoral Commissioner Alyssa Fusaro strongly opposes drop-boxes because they are not controlled by a person capable of intervening if voters attempt to contribute more than their own ballot without the required form of authorization.

She believes that attempts by a growing number of municipalities to speak out publicly against ballot boxes show that they “do not see themselves as a safe way to vote.”

Contact Jennifer Learn-Andes at 570-991-6388 or tweet @TLJenLearnAndes.