SCRANTON, PA – The long-vacant Lackawanna County Commissioner seat, left empty by the resignation of Matt McGloin in February, is now the subject of a legal dispute. Attorneys for the Lackawanna County Democratic Committee announced today they are filing motions to stop a proposed special election.
According to Attorney Adam C. Bonin, the committee will be appearing before the Court of Common Pleas this morning to formally request that the election be halted. The action follows a vote by the Lackawanna County Board of Elections last Friday to hold a special election on November 4 to fill the unexpired term.
The decision by the Board of Elections, which has been the subject of a prolonged legal and political battle, was criticized by some, including the Democratic Party and the county's Republican commissioner, Chris Chermak. The Democratic Party's Chairman, Chris Patrick, previously issued a statement calling the proposed election "illegal."
The dispute has centered on whether the county's home rule charter or state election law dictates the process for filling the vacancy. While a temporary appointment can be made by county judges from a list of three names provided by the Democratic Party, the recent vote by the Board of Elections aimed to allow voters to choose a permanent replacement at the next municipal election.