Concerns over election integrity continue to rise in Monroe County amid reports of potential misuse of ballot drop boxes during the absentee and mail-in voting period. Observations made on October 15 and October 22 at the Monroe County Administration Office’s ballot box reveal multiple instances where voters allegedly submitted more than one ballot, possibly violating Pennsylvania’s election laws, which mandate that voters submit only their own ballot unless legally authorized otherwise.
Citizen Account Highlights Concerns Over Ballot Box Monitoring
Janet Smith, a local resident, shared her observations from October 15 when she assisted with a “day of action” organized by the Monroe County Republican Committee. Throughout her time near the ballot drop box at the Administration Building, Smith witnessed numerous individuals carrying multiple ballots. When she politely informed one individual that it was illegal to deposit another person’s ballot, he responded, “So let them take my picture,” before proceeding to deposit multiple ballots. This incident, Smith noted, highlights the limitations of the current surveillance system, which only allows for post-incident video review.
In a letter to county officials, Smith expressed her alarm and recommended several immediate actions, including reducing the number of drop boxes, increasing staffing, or using deputized agents to prevent ballot box misuse in real time. She questioned the commitment of local authorities to ensuring fair elections, citing a lack of consequences in past incidents involving ballot misuse.
Criticisms of Current Ballot Box Surveillance and Oversight
The county’s seven ballot boxes—located at six libraries and the County Courthouse—are monitored by standalone cameras purchased with funds from a Pennsylvania Election Integrity Grant. Linear Security Group installed these rugged, standalone cameras, which use on-device storage and have preinstalled software for remote access. At a September 4 County Election Board meeting, officials confirmed that the cameras’ primary purpose is protecting the physical security of the boxes rather than ensuring election integrity. The cameras lack alert features to notify officials if they go offline, leaving periods of unsupervised access vulnerable to potential misuse.
The Monroe County Republican Committee has voiced its opposition to drop boxes, calling for heightened scrutiny and stronger oversight to prevent unauthorized ballot deposits, also known as "ballot harvesting," which is prohibited by Pennsylvania law. The Republican Party’s representatives, including Committee Chairman Pete Begley, have raised concerns over the sufficiency of video monitoring as a deterrent, pointing out that without real-time monitoring, unauthorized actions can occur unchecked until reviewed later on video.
Responsibility for Drop Box Oversight Sparks Confusion
A recurring point of confusion centers on who is responsible for overseeing drop box usage. Some county representatives have suggested that the drop boxes are mandated by the state; however, local jurisdictions ultimately determine their presence and security. For example, Luzerne County removed its drop boxes on October 3 but reinstated them on October 7 and October 9 in response to community pushback. This has left Monroe County residents questioning why their local officials haven’t taken similar steps to address ongoing concerns.
Calls for Action to Ensure Election Integrity
Smith and others in the community are urging the Monroe County Election Board to enact meaningful safeguards. The recommendations range from reducing the number of drop boxes to assigning sworn-in officials for real-time monitoring. As Election Day approaches, many Monroe County residents will be watching closely to see how local authorities respond to the community’s concerns, hoping to see strengthened measures that ensure election integrity in a process that has come under increasing scrutiny.