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Luzerne County Council moves on ballot question

The vote Tuesday night could add a question regarding the appointment of judges and electors to the ballot in November.

Luzerne County Council wants to change the way the election board is picked, but the Luzerne County Board of Elections isn't a big fan of that idea.

The board is made up of five people. Four registered voters are appointed by council; two of the members are Republicans, and the other two are Democrats. The fifth is named by the four appointed members.

County council wants to amend the Luzerne County Home Rule Charter to pick all of the election board members. That would require a change to the charter.

Back in April, the council presented a ballot question, but the election board called it confusing.

Tuesday night, the council decided to send the matter to the county courthouse to let judges figure it out.

Both supporters and opponents of the ballot question were at Tuesday's meeting.

"Our county charter was put in place to get rid of nepotism and cronyism and partisanship, and this only brings that back."

"You guys were blindsided by the election debacle. So, if you want to be insane, keep doing the same thing over and over again. Keep the same board, you're going to have the result. If you really care about the 2024 election, get rid of them."

It's likely a hearing will have to be scheduled in county court to sort this out.

If the court approves a question, it will go on the ballot, and if approved, changes to the election board will happen in January.

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