LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — Poll workers and county workers were sworn in in Luzerne County Monday, ahead of Election Day.
Volunteers like Bob Triani are gearing up for a long election day ahead, getting ready to process mail-in ballots.
"It's a great thing to do for the community; it's a great team effort. Everyone here is wonderful to work with. I actually look forward to it every year," said Triani.
While it's not a presidential election year, Luzerne County officials say the municipal elections are far more difficult to run.
With 186 polling sites across the county, Luzerne County election officials say they've been busy preparing for this election after problems at the polls in previous elections, including a major paper shortage.
They're changing their policies and procedures this time around. Luzerne County Director of Elections, Eryn Harvey, says having a new county manager allowed the bureau to enact new policies and checklists.
"We sign off that there's paper in there, that there's an extension cord. That the correct supplies are in there, and I don't think that was being done before," said Harvey.
As voters head to the polls on Tuesday, their ballots will look a little different. Electronic voting machines are back, so don't expect a paper ballot.
"We're not doing paper ballots; we did paper ballots in the primary. We are back to the machines. I think we're going to stay that way," said Harvey.
The Luzerne county manager, Romilda Crocamo, says it was a logistical decision. Crocamo says electronic machines make it quicker to count the votes at the end of the night.
"So, we decided to use the machines for that reason, and we have them, and we paid money for them," said the county manager.
As for voters casting their ballot by mail, the drop boxes across the county are only open until 8 Monday night. The drop box at Luzerne County Election headquarters at Penn Place in Wilkes-Barre will be open through 8 o'clock on election night. Voters like Debra Foley can use the drop box to cast their ballot.
"I've always done mail, presidential elections, I just want to make sure my vote gets in there," said Foley.
While Luzerne County election officials say they've done everything in their power to make sure election day goes smoothly, they're also asking voters to bring their patience to the polls.
"I just want to tell people to be a little patient. Sometimes there are some glitches when we open up the polls. Please be patient with the poll workers," said Crocamo.
Polls open at 7 a.m. Tuesday in Luzerne County.