Dallas City News

Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo announced Thursday she has invited national, state and local Democratic and Republican leaders to visit and “witness firsthand the meticulous measures we have put in place for this election.”

Crocamo said the county is “fully prepared to ensure a safe and secure electoral process.”

“Our commitment to transparency and security is unwavering. During their visit, leaders will have the opportunity to see our processes in action, including how we handle voter registration, ballot security, and the implementation of advanced technology to safeguard the integrity of our elections,” Crocamo said.

Her announcement included copies of invitations she has sent to the following: Luzerne County Republican Party Chairman Gene Ziemba, Pennsylvania Republican Party Chair Lawrence Tabas, Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley, Luzerne County Democratic Party Chairman Thomas Shubilla, Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chair Sen. Sharif Street and Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison.

The invitation said county election administrators will be available during their visit to answer questions and “provide insights into our practices.”

“We believe that a collaborative approach to understanding the electoral process is essential in fostering confidence in our democracy. By inviting you to Luzerne County, we hope to demonstrate our dedication to upholding the values of transparency and fairness in elections,” it said.

The invitation asks recipients to provide a response of their scheduling availablilty.

Ziemba said he appreciates the opportunity.

“I will accept her gracious offer and am going to be checking my schedule to visit,” Ziemba said.

Shubilla also said he will accept the invitation.

“I do know the county’s election team is working very well together. I have full faith in Emily Cook as election director,” Shubilla said.

At a county election board meeting Wednesday night, Shubilla was among those expressing complaints about Crocamo’s Wednesday announcement that the county’s four ballot drop boxes won’t be deployed in the Nov. 5 general election.

Crocamo said she made the difficult decision because she must “prioritize the safety and security of our community in the current political climate.”

The boxes were in the Wright Manor senior living facility in Mountain Top, Misericordia University’s Passan Hall in Dallas and two county-owned properties — the Broad Street Exchange in Hazleton and Penn Place Building in Wilkes-Barre.

Shubilla said he hopes “there’s some route to reestablishing them,” especially the two on county-owned properties.

Mail ballot voters will have the option to deliver their ballots to the election bureau on the second floor of the county’s Penn Place Building.

Reach Jennifer Learn-Andes at 570-991-6388 or on Twitter @TLJenLearnAndes.