(CNN) Local officials in Pennsylvania on Friday provided more information about nine potentially mishandled ballots in Luzerne County, which the White House repeatedly cited to attack mail-in voting and question the integrity of November's election. In a statement, county officials said the issue regarding nine military ballots was caused by a "temporary seasonal independent contractor" who "incorrectly discarded (the ballots) into the office trash" within their first three days of work helping the elections office. On the third day, Luzerne County Elections Director Shelby Watchilla realized what had happened and opened an investigation, and the contractor "was removed from service and informed not to return." The officials called this an "error" and said the fact that it was quickly noticed and investigated proves that "the system of checks and balances set forth in Pennsylvania elections works." Election officials typically go to extraordinary lengths to maintain ballot secrecy, and election experts told CNN Thursday they were baffled by the Justice Department's decision to disclose this information.

Source: CNN September 25, 2020 22:18 UTC