Pennsylvania voters sue over election issues ahead of 2024

In March 2023, two Pennsylvania voters, William French and Melynda Reese, filed a lawsuit against Luzerne County, claiming they were disenfranchised during the 2022 midterm elections due to inadequate election administration. They alleged that the county failed to provide enough paper ballots at polling places, which prevented them from voting despite multiple attempts. French, a disabled Army veteran, and Reese, a caretaker, faced significant challenges in returning to vote due to their personal circumstances. The lawsuit was initiated through the Center for Election Confidence, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring electoral integrity and protecting voter rights. An attorney associated with the organization expressed concerns that the issues experienced in 2022 could recur in the upcoming 2024 presidential election, potentially on a larger scale due to increased voter turnout. Luzerne County officials did not attend a congressional hearing in 2023 that highlighted serious deficiencies in their election administration, which were characterized by malfeasance and negligence. A report from the district attorney's office attributed these problems to inadequate training within the Bureau of Elections. The county's failure to respond to the plaintiffs' settlement demands has led to the ongoing lawsuit in the US District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The plaintiffs are focused on ensuring that similar voting issues do not happen again in future elections. Their attorney suggested that the county could settle the case by developing a more effective administration plan that includes better training for election officials, emphasizing the need for proactive measures rather than dwelling on past mistakes.