126442908_web1_National-Weather-Service-logo

Here we snow again

126441059_web1_Arena-Taxes1cmyk.jpeg

Several new businesses opening in Wilkes-Barre Township

An agenda discussion about the future of mail ballot voting sparked passionate arguments on both sides during Monday’s Luzerne County Council Legislative Committee meeting.

Committee Chairman Harry Haas said he believes state legislators should rescind the option and return solely to absentee voting in which a reason or justification must be furnished to vote by mail. He argued the no-excuse mail voting creates confusion, costs more and burdens staff.

The two remaining committee members — Council members Stephen A. Urban and Walter Griffith — also expressed concerns about mail voting.

“I believe in election day and not election season,” Urban said.

Griffith said voters should decide if no-excuse mail voting remains in effect through a ballot question on whether to change the state constitution. He later clarified he is not against mail ballots in general but believes the process needs to be more secure.

Speaking during public comment, Council members Sheila Saidman and Linda McClosky Houck spoke favorably of the mail ballot option.

Saidman said it prompted more people to vote and predicted the number of mail voters will continue to increase as voters become accustomed to the option and the state addresses lingering concerns.

“I think going back in time is very, very, very bad,” Saidman said.

McClosky Houck said she “very happily” voted by mail amid coronavirus concerns and was pleased the option helped boost turnout. She urged state legislators to allow counties to start canvassing mail ballots earlier so the unofficial results are not held up and to ensure consistent procedures are enacted statewide.

County citizens also presented mixed views.

Alyssa Fusaro said no-excuse ballots should be “trashed” and said she and many others will have a “complete lack of faith” in the accuracy of results as long as they are permitted.

Richard Manta said mail voting is the “worse thing that anybody every could have come up with.”

A veteran, Manta said too many people are “lazy” and make excuses about not voting in person or attending church.

“The mail-in voting has to stop,” Manta said, asserting voting should be reserved for those who have the “gumption” to stand in line at a polling place.

But Mary Ann Murphy said she supports mail ballots to keep up with the times and because “society has changed dramatically in the last few decades.”

Murphy said the mail ballot option helps working mothers and single parents, and she has confidence checks are in place to detect any fraud attempts.

Mail voting also is reassuring for those 65 and older, herself included, who don’t have specific medical conditions but may wake up on any given day physically unable to go out, she said.

A man named Owen — his last name wasn’t stated — said he was thankful for mail voting during the pandemic and observed long lines in the November general election that he was able to avoid at his Union Township polling place.

While he does not oppose county efforts to make sure there is proper oversight of mail voting, Owen said he believes mail voting was “very effective” here and in other states that allow the option.

“The fact that so many more citizens voted and expressed their choice — to me that is democracy,” Owen said.

Legislative committee members spent much of the meeting presenting election-related concerns to State Rep. Seth Grove, R-York, who attended the virtual session. Grove is acting House State Government Committee Chairman and involved in hearings on the state’s 2020 election.

Grove said more standardization and clarity are warranted in state election law to “build a better system moving forward.” He expects “tons” of proposed legislation suggesting changes, both good and bad, and insisted he is “not leaning” toward any specific options at this time.

Pros and cons of mail ballots debated at Luzerne County legislative meeting