Luzerne County will be monitored by the U.S. Department of Justice on Election Day, according to county Manager Romilda Crocamo.
Unlike in the past, the county will not allow federal monitors inside polling places during the November 2022 general election. Instead, assessments will be done outside, as stated by Crocamo.
Crocamo explained that the county's decision to deny interior access to monitors was due to concerns raised by multiple county officials about the potential disruption or intimidation it could cause.
The monitoring is carried out by the Civil Rights Division of the department, which is responsible for federal voting rights laws such as the Voting Rights Act, the National Voter Registration Act, and others.
Under its authority, the department investigates possible violations of federal voting rights laws through election-day monitoring and visits to jurisdictions, highlighting the anti-intimidation provisions of the Voting Rights Act as an example.
The department noted that trained staff members from the Civil Rights Division have been sent to Pennsylvania and other jurisdictions, including Luzerne County, in previous elections.
For instance, Luzerne County was one of 64 jurisdictions in 24 states monitored in November 2022, along with four other Pennsylvania counties.
The department expressed appreciation for the cooperation of election officials during monitoring and expressed readiness to continue working cooperatively in the future.
The department's attorney for this jurisdiction would stay in touch with county officials if any issues arise on Election Day, as mentioned.
Monitors do not disrupt the voting process or wear anything indicating they are from the Department of Justice.
Crocamo advised voters to immediately report any disruptions at their polling place to officials and local election authorities.
Complaints regarding violence, threats, or intimidation at a polling place should be reported promptly to local police by calling 911 and then followed up with a report to the Department of Justice after contacting local authorities, according to Crocamo.
Crocamo stated that any intimidation or violence towards poll workers or voters will not be accepted.
Those with questions or complaints regarding disabled accessibility should contact the department's toll-free ADA information line or submit a complaint via a link at https://www.ada.gov/.
In 2022, a department spokesperson explained that the decision to send election monitors is based on the specific circumstances of a particular jurisdiction in a given election.
