Polling space to be removed from schools in Luzerne County

LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— When you head to the polls this November, there could be a change to where you vote in Luzerne County this upcoming election. It has to do with creating greater safety amid a heated political climate.

28/22 News Reporter Gianna Galli spoke with the Luzerne County Manager on the efforts to get rid of polling places inside schools.

Luzerne County Officials are calling it a necessity. More than a handful of voting precincts were at schools in both the 2023 general election and 2024 primary.

That will no longer be the case come this november.

David W. Kistler Elementary School in Wilkes-Barre was one of 186 Luzerne County voting precincts in the last several elections.

A little more than three months away from the 2024 general election, county officials are changing that.

“My responsibility is to make sure that everybody is safe. We are looking for alternate locations of polling places that were at the schools,” said Romilda Crocamo, Luzerne County Manager.

Around the time of the 2023 general election, school districts across our region were receiving bomb threats, provoking what Crocamo calls a necessary decision.

And with a heated presidential campaign this upcoming election, she believes polling places don’t belong in schools.

“It’s a very good idea and I think this world is as safe as we can make it. In a lot ways we aren’t doing a good job and in other ways we are trying to do better,” stated Marie Scannell of Wilkes-Barre.

Crocamo says there are preparations happening already at many levels to ensure greater safety and accommodate the changes.

They include space, parking and making sure precinct sites conform to ADA regulations.

That information is not being revealed at this time but a group effort to finalize locations is underway.

“We have the district attorney involved, detectives, the sheriffs,” noted Crocamo.

“How quickly can we respond to it. How professionally do we care of whatever the problem may be, and that really I think goes a long way in helping minimize problems down the road,” explained Steve Hahn, Acting Deputy Director of Elections.

With a large voter turnout anticipated on November 5, election officials want to make sure that day is safe and organized.

“In America we decide our leaders at the ballot box not by bullets. Schools need to be safe sanctuaries for our students and we are going to find alternate locations,” stated Crocamo.

The 2024 Primary Election saw around 28% voter turnout.

Hahn anticipates double or triple that in november.

He also explained that voters who used to vote at the school precincts will be notified of the new polling precincts closer to election time.

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