LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — Ballots are being cast in the 2024 election as people file in and out of Penn Place in Wilkes-Barre all day.
Luzerne County officials say they screened close to 1,500 people on Tuesday, many dropping off their mail-in ballots.
"I like this way because I just went through cancer, and I have a hard time getting around," said Jim Stash, Hazle Township.
"I think it's the best way. No confrontation, no waiting in line," said Doreen Zenax, Wilkes-Barre.
But some voters in Luzerne County may have to fill out a ballot twice this election.
A misspelling of incumbent State Representative Alec Ryncavage's name was printed on nearly 6,700 mail-in ballots in the 119th district.
Dominion Voting Systems has taken responsibility for the mistake and the cost that comes with it.
"There's a lot of sources that are out of our control that we depend on," said Romilda Crocamo, Luzerne County Manager.
Because of this error, the county will count the misprinted ballot if it's the only ballot sent in by that voter.
If a second corrected ballot is filled out, that is the one that will be accepted, and the misprinted ballot will be thrown out.
It's a diligent process by the county.
"Every ballot and voter has a code. And because we're segregating the ballots, they won't be able to be mixed," said Crocamo.
The county directive was agreed upon by the Department of State and Ryncavage's campaign...
While voters have mixed feelings about the mix-up.
"No, it doesn't concern me. It seems like Wilkes-Barre has their personnel guiding the city in the right direction and when they found their mistake, they're going to correct it," said Stash.
"It makes me skeptical and makes me suspicious of the government how accidental things seem to happen frequently. Even in the 2022 election, there was a similar situation where the poll booths ran out of paper, paper ballots. Isn't that funny," said William Jones, Pittston.
The county says much of the brunt will fall on the election board, and the adjudication process begins after election day.
But they are assuring voters it will be handled.
"We've consulted with the Department of State. It's happened before, not just here in Luzerne County but in other counties. This is a process. There are safeguards that we have built into the process," added Crocamo.