SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — The Lackawanna County Board of Elections, made up of County Court Judges, unanimously certified the November 4th municipal election results during a public meeting Friday morning at the county courthouse.
This came despite a request from Susanne Preambo Green, a Republican who unsuccessfully ran for county clerk of judicial records, asking the board to delay certification for a countywide recount.
Preambo Green argued her concerns stemmed from a precinct in West Scranton where two poll workers were criminally charged in a ballot tampering investigation.
“This was not just a request because I didn’t win. This was a request based on fraudulent and criminal activity during the election,” said Preambo Green.
Her request, however, was not formally accepted. County officials say she did not file the required paperwork within the legally defined time window.
“The law specifies what the requirements are. The petition filed with the court with the requisite number of electors signing on with support, and the fee. All of those steps must be taken before we can even consider it,” said Judge Margaret Moyle.
The criminal investigation at the center of the controversy involves a mother and son charged with felony and misdemeanor counts after a voter reported receiving a ballot with a candidate’s name already written in at the Jackson Heights polling place in West Scranton. The Bureau of Elections referred the incident immediately to the District Attorney’s Office.
“She was writing her name in for judge of election on a board in West Scranton. She doesn’t even live in Scranton, so even if she won that election, she was ineligible to serve in that office. So it really didn’t make a lot of sense to us what she was doing, but we did refer the matter over to the district attorney.” said Donald Frederickson.
Despite the ongoing probe, Judge Frank Ruggiero said the board’s role was clear.
“I think the system and what occurred is exactly what should have occurred. It was an issue raised relative to an alleged fraudulent act that was resulting in what appears to be felony charges,” said Judge Frank Ruggiero.
Following discussion, the board concluded the overall election was not compromised and unanimously certified the results.