UPDATE: Luzerne County voters have decisively rejected a proposed revision to the county’s Home Rule charter in the election held on November 7, 2023. With 120 of 186 precincts reporting, the results show 29,993 votes against the charter and only 20,184 in favor.
The proposed charter aimed to reduce the county council from 11 members to 9 and make modest revisions to the government structure established under the 2010 charter. This charter had previously shifted the governance from a traditional three-commissioner model to a council-appointed manager system.
Critics, including former council member Tim McGinley, voiced concerns that the change would concentrate power and diminish representation for smaller communities and underrepresented groups. McGinley emphasized that the new charter strayed from the original intent to minimize political influence within government operations.
Mail-in ballots revealed a strong opposition, with voters rejecting the charter 10,635 to 7,749. Many county council members, including Walter Griffith, labeled the proposal a “bait and switch,” fearing it would allow council members to alter essential eligibility rules for the county election board and ethics commission.
Despite opposition, some officials, including District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce and State Representative Brenda Pugh, publicly supported the charter, claiming it would lead to a more effective and ethical governance structure. Pugh argued on social media that this change was not simply for the sake of change but aimed at enhancing government responsiveness.
The charter proposal for a new governance model came after voters approved a referendum in April 2024, establishing a county government study commission. After a 4-2 vote in July, the commission recommended the charter for consideration. However, the overwhelming rejection highlights a significant divide in voter sentiment regarding governance in Luzerne County.
Moving forward, the county will remain under the existing charter, which continues to limit council members, the controller, and the district attorney to serving no more than three consecutive terms. The debate over the proposed charter reflects ongoing tensions in Luzerne County’s political landscape, leaving residents eager for future developments.
As the impacts of this vote unfold, attention will turn to the county council’s next steps and the potential for future proposals aimed at reforming local governance.
