MOSCOW BOROUGH, PA — The Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF) filed an appeal of an order removing elected Lackawanna County Judge of Elections, Teresa Ripley. She was not notified and did not have an opportunity to defend herself before police vacated her from the polling place during the May 19 primaries.
Common Pleas Judge Margaret Bisignani Moyle ordered Ripley removed without her knowledge of the court proceeding shortly before 3pm on Election Day. As an elected civil officer, Ripley was guaranteed due process protections from the Pennsylvania Constitution. Without Ripley’s knowledge, Judge Moyle replaced her with another election worker.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is the only state in the Union to still populate core poll worker roles with elections, as opposed to temporary employment contracts or volunteers. Each of Pennsylvania’s 9,000-plus precincts are chaired by an election judge ultimately responsible for maintaining order and timely reporting of results to county authorities on election night. Majority and minority inspectors are also elected to manage voter check-ins and document verification. Ms. Ripley was elected to the Moscow Ward-0 Precinct-0 post in November 2025 for a four-year term of office.
“Due process and notice are cornerstones of the American system,” said PILF President J. Christian Adams. “The allocation or removal of power of an election official must follow established norms. The police hauling an official out is not normal.”
Linda A. Kerns of Law Offices of Linda A. Kerns, LLC serves as PILF’s local counsel.
The Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF) is the nation’s only public interest law firm dedicated wholly to election integrity. The Foundation exists to assist states and others to aid the cause of election integrity and fight against lawlessness in American elections. Drawing on numerous experts in the field, PILF seeks to protect the right to vote and preserve the Constitutional framework of American elections.
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