CEC Supports Disenfranchised Korean War Veteran Lawsuit after Hundreds of 2025 Primary Ballots Mishandled in Scranton, PA
The Center for Election Confidence (CEC) backed a lawsuit in federal court on behalf of Eugene Kopecki, a Korean War veteran whose constitutional right to vote was violated by the County of Lackawanna, Pennsylvania, its Board of Elections, its Department of Elections, and its Elections Director, Elizabeth Hopkins, on Primary Election Day 2025. Mr. Kopecki also alleges that his First and Fourteenth Amendment rights were violated.
Lackawanna County election officials admitted to mailing incorrect absentee and mail-in ballots to nearly 550 voters living in Scranton ahead of the 2025 Primary Election, while “voters residing in other municipalities within Lackawanna County received the correct ballots.” Despite public promises to the contrary and personal contact by the plaintiff, Hopkins and her election staff failed to provide the proper ballot in time for the plaintiff to vote in the May 20 Primary Election, making the 2025 Primary Election the first election in which he made the appropriate effort and was not able to vote—including while serving in the military overseas.
Counsel Linda Kerns:
It’s long past time Pennsylvania takes our electoral process more seriously, holds bad actors accountable, and ensures that the law is enforced to prevent any disenfranchisement in the future.
The Center for Election Confidence (CEC) is supporting this lawsuit in accordance with its mission to safeguard the right of all eligible Americans, regardless of party affiliation, to take part in the electoral process and to have confidence in America’s election systems and election results.
Case Documents
Complaint
Answer to Complaint (January 22, 2026)
Complaint (December 29, 2025)
Last Updated: February 9, 2026