LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — Tensions were high as Luzerne County residents expressed mixed opinions on whether the drop boxes should stay or go for the upcoming election.
"I'm immunocompromised, and so is my daughter; it's the way we prefer to vote to keep ourselves safe," said Hannah Butterwick, Dallas Township.
"Eliminating drop boxes does not disenfranchise anyone's voter; contrary to theatrics, it does not take away anyone's vote," said Robin Coshan, Dallas Township.
Those against placing drop boxes raised concerns about election fraud and drop box security.
"Forcing dropboxes that only invite fraud is beyond comprehension and erodes public trust," said Coshan.
"I'm opposed to the fact that these boxes are not secure according to the guidance by the state," said Walter Griffith Jr., Luzerne County Controller.
Some election board members echoed these concerns, "There are also fraud issues on both sides of the aisle, from the seals to what I have viewed myself watching surveillance videos," said Alyssa Fusaro (R), Vice-Chair of the Board.
"If anyone thinks that there are no security issues that are out there and that we shouldn't be concerned, think again," said Richard Morelli (R), Board Member.
However, the board's opinions were just as mixed as those who spoke at the meeting.
"I'm in favor of making it easy for people, and I keep looking for fraud, and I still haven't seen it, so I don't know why there's all this talk about fraud," said Albert Schlosser (D), Board Member.
"Nothing was provided to me, or I'm aware of any other board members, that there was a specific threat in Luzerne County," said Denise Williams (D), Board Chair.
Although drop boxes will be in Luzerne County for the upcoming election, there will, however, only be two drop boxes in the county: the Hazelton Broadstreet Exchange and the Luzerne County Elections Bureau at Penn Place in Wilkes-Barre.