​​On November 4, 2025, Luzerne County voters will decide whether to adopt a new Home Rule Charter. This proposal would replace the current charter, removing key safeguards that protect our county from corruption, election interference, and political abuse.

​

Why Does This Question Matter?

A Home Rule Charter is like a local constitution—it determines who holds power, how elections are overseen, and how officials are kept accountable.

​

• Current Charter (2012–Present): Luzerne County is run by an 11-member Council and an appointed County Manager. It created an independent Election Board to keep elections fair and free from partisan control and an Ethics Commission to hold officials accountable.
   

• Proposed Charter (2025): The new charter would give Council direct control over elections, weaken or eliminate the Ethics Commission, and even reset term limits for the District Attorney and County Controller, letting them serve longer than voters originally intended. These changes strip away checks and balances and concentrate more power in the hands of politicians.

​​

What Happens if the Charter Is Approved?

A “Yes” vote hands County Council more unchecked power, undermines fair elections, and rolls back hard-won accountability measures.

 

What Happens if the Charter Is Rejected?

A “No” vote protects the system we built after Luzerne County’s corruption scandals—independent election oversight, ethics enforcement, and limits on political power. Saying “No” keeps government accountable to the people, not politicians.

​

The Choice Is Ours

Luzerne County has a long history of reform. After decades of corruption scandals, voters demanded a government that was more accountable to the people. Our government is not perfect, but rolling back the progress that has been made is not the answer. Now, we face the question of whether to defend the protections that we do have or weaken them. By voting No, we can preserve transparency, accountability, and fair elections for years to come.