Lackawanna County Board of Elections 9-25-24

The Lackawanna County Board of Elections meeting on September 25, 2024, focused primarily on election administration matters including the approval of motions to assign poll workers outside their voting districts and the permanent or temporary relocation of several polling locations to improve accessibility and voter satisfaction. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a contentious public discussion regarding the use of ballot drop boxes. Some commissioners and members of the public advocated for eliminating drop boxes citing concerns over election integrity, chain of custody, and cost inefficiencies, while others defended their use as a secure and accessible voting option, especially for disabled voters. The Board provided detailed explanations of the security measures in place for drop boxes, including 24/7 video surveillance and strict chain of custody protocols. The meeting also addressed questions about election staff partisan representation, audit procedures, and the legal framework governing election officials. The session highlighted the polarized views on election security and the balance between accessibility and integrity in the voting process.