WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo on Wednesday asked the state attorney general’s office to investigate her choice nixing drop boxes during November’s general election.
With 41 days left until election day, Crocamo appealed to Attorney General Michelle Henry for a probe that would “provide transparency and reinforce public confidence in our electoral processes.”
“I believe it is crucial for the public to understand the reasoning behind this decision, especially considering the ongoing discussions surrounding election accessibility and security,” Crocamo wrote.
Crocamo’s request for a review of her own decision came one week after she scuttled drop boxes in a notice to county election officials that cited security and financial concerns as reasons for her decision.
Her move proved controversial. On Tuesday, 27 different organizations — including the ACLU of Pennsylvania — called on Crocamo to reinstate the use of drop boxes. The “abrupt” decision to remove them undermines the rights of voters, they said.
“Drop boxes have been a trusted, secure option in Luzerne County since 2020, serving as a critical resource for those unable to return their ballots through the mail in time for them to be counted,” the organizations said in a joint letter.
Others hailed Crocamo’s announcement as welcome news.
Gene Ziemba, the chair of the Luzerne County Republican Party, said drop boxes were an “emergency, temporary” measure.
“We’ll call it a fix to the (COVID-19) situation,” Ziemba said. “But now the drop boxes aren’t needed.”
At a protest in front of the county courthouse Tuesday, state Sen. Marty Flynn called on Henry’s office to investigate the county’s decision to remove drop boxes. Crocamo, who wrote she recognizes her decision warrants scrutiny, asked for the same thing.
Tom Shubilla, the chair of the Luzerne County Democratic Party, questioned the legality of Crocamo’s decision. He said, “we’re looking into legal avenues” to potentially challenge her authority.
“This was something that was passed a year before COVID, this was not a COVID-only bill,” Shubilla said. “This is a bill that passed to make voting easier.”
In an interview, Crocamo said she is confident she has the authority to make the call.
“The charter is clear, the county manager has the authority over personnel issues, including deploying the sheriffs and I also have oversight over county property,” she said.
With the removal of drop boxes, mail-in voters will have to mail their ballots or deliver them to the Bureau of Elections.
The state attorney general’s office did not respond to a request for comment.