Adames appointed to Luzerne County Election Board chairmanship seat

After publicly interviewing two applicants Wednesday, the Luzerne County Election Board selected Democrat Jose M. Adames to serve as the fifth board member and new chairman.

Adames, 30, of Wyoming, is fluent in English and Spanish and has bachelor’s degrees in human resources management and business administration from King’s College in Wilkes-Barre. A Hazleton Area High School graduate, he currently works as a senior recruiter for Serco Inc.

Republican John Newman, 76, a retired U.S. Postal Service executive from Nanticoke, also interviewed for the unpaid post. He highlighted his management experience and past service on the election board for two years after the home rule government took effect in 2012.

The home rule charter requires the two Democrat and two Republican board members appointed by council to select someone of any affiliation for the remaining seat. Prior board appointee and chair Lewis W. Wetzel had resigned in October.

As elections overseer, the board will be busy preparing for the high-turnout April 28 presidential primary, when the county will be using a new paper-trail voting system for the first time and implementing state election reforms.

Two other residents had applied for the fifth seat but were deemed ineligible to serve under the charter, the board announced. Applicant David Yonki was prohibited because his Wilkes-Barre government position is deemed “public employment.” Joe Sebastianelli, the other applicant, did not qualify due to a voter registration issue and decided to withdraw, the board said.

County council must fill two board seats held by Democrat Audrey Serniak and Republican Anne Davies because their terms expire Jan. 24.

Serniak interviewed for reappointment Tuesday, and four other Democrats already were on the eligibility list — John Chernesky, Diane Dreier, Patrick Smith and Barbara Wilder.

However, county officials are urging Republicans to apply because Davies is not seeking reappointment and there are no Republicans on the eligibility list. Newman said after the meeting he won’t be applying for that seat because he had already served as a board member in the past and was interested in the board leadership role at this stage.

Democrat Peter Ouellette and Republican Keith Gould also serve on the election board.

New machines

Election bureau deputy director Mary Beth Steininger told the board Wednesday the office has received the first five new paper-trail voting machines and precinct scanners from Dominion Voting Systems Inc., which was the contractor recommended by county Manager C. David Pedri and approved by council.

Voters will make selections on computerized ballot-marking devices similar to the way they do now. But instead of touching a screen box to cast the ballot, voters will receive a paper printout to verify their selections before the paper is fed into a tabulator to be read and saved in compliance with a state mandate.

Removal of the county’s prior electronic voting system equipment is now underway, Steininger said.

Steininger reassured the board the office is developing an extensive public education and training campaign on the new machines and other state election changes.

In a parting speech, Davies thanked election workers at all levels, saying many don’t realize the behind-the-scenes work involved. She encouraged all voters to learn about the new paper-trail system, saying it won’t be difficult and is “just adding a paper ballot to what you already know.”

Davies offered to help with training, saying she wants the new Dominion system to succeed, even though it was not her first choice.

“It has been an eye-opening experience,” she said of her board service.