WILKES-BARRE -- A recent shakeup in the Luzerne County Elections Bureau comes just before the pivotal general election.
First, the bureau's director was forced from office in April. Then, the interim director recently resigned. Now, Luzerne County is getting some temporary help from its neighbor to the north.
Marisa Crispell-Barber has worked for several years in the Wyoming County Elections Office. For the next six weeks, she'll be a staple at the Luzerne County Bureau of Elections in Wilkes-Barre. It's a challenge she feels more than prepared for.
"It's a good foundation. We do what we need to do to get the job done, to do it to the best of our ability, and I plan on using that here as well," said Crispell-Barber.
The Wyoming County commissioners offered to help out Luzerne County after the election bureau's interim director Tom Pizano resigned. Luzerne County officials said there are a number of reasons Crispell-Barber is a good fit for the office.
"Her knowledge of the Pennsylvania system built over years, her training of personnel in election jobs," said Luzerne County Election Board Chairman Jere Packard.
There is quite a difference in Election Day preparation between Luzerne and Wyoming Counties. Luzerne County has 189 precincts. Wyoming has only 30. However, Crispell-Barber, who will be in the Luzerne County office through November 16, promises the result will be positive for voters.
"I'm just here to reassure them that their election office is providing them the best election that they possibly can. They've been doing that. I'm just here to help them," said Crispell-Barber.
Luzerne County officials are continuing to interview people for the full-time director position in the elections bureau.