Luzerne County Council votes on American Rescue cut, rejects election worker protection proposal

Councilwoman Joanna Bryn Smith proposed the election worker protection ordinance, saying it would provide an additional option for law enforcement to charge those accused of a range of alleged crimes against poll workers.

Twenty residents weighed in on the proposal during public hearing, fairly evenly split between support and opposition. Some commented twice during both a public hearing and during the voting meeting.

Council Vice Chairman Brian Thornton said he condemns violence but spoke with county District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce and was informed the ordinance could be “inviting lawsuits” against the county because laws already exist at the state level.

Thornton also read portions of an email from county Election Director Emily Cook, concluding the proposed ordinance is “ultimately a waste of time” because “there are no legitimate actionable offenses that were not already addressed as protections for these workers under the law.”




https://www.psdispatch.com/news/94035/luzerne-county-council-votes-on-american-rescue-cut-rejects-election-worker-protection-proposal