Pennsylvania county that ran out of paper ballots doesn't certify election

Pennsylvania's Luzerne County has failed to certify the results of the Nov. 8 midterm elections by the Monday deadline.

The Board of Elections split 2-2 on certifying the results, with one abstention. The county attracted national attention after it ran out of paper ballots on Election Day. Two Republican board members opposed certification, while two Democrats backed it, and one Democrat abstained, the Epoch Times reported.

"There were so many challenges, so many issues, so many problems, so many concerns, that I can't with good conscience certify this election," said Republican board member Alyssa Fusaro. Daniel Schramm, the abstaining Democrat, said he wanted more time to review the claims voters made about issues in the county.

Pennsylvania was a major battleground state in the 2022 midterm contests. In the Senate race, Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman edged out Republican Dr. Mehmet Oz despite the former's poor showing in the sole debate and speculation about his fitness to serve in office following a stroke.

On Election Day, the county extended poll hours to 10 p.m. for in-person voting by court order due to a shortage of paper on which to print the ballots.

In 2020, the same county came under fire following the discovery of discarded Trump ballots, which county officials blamed on a "temporary seasonal independent contractor."