Six new locations approved to drop off mail-in primary ballots
The primary is scheduled for the first day of Passover.
Allegheny County voters have six new locations at which to drop off mail-in ballots for the upcoming primary election, thanks to a unanimous vote on Wednesday by the Allegheny County Board of Elections.
Adding to an existing location downtown, the new drop-off locations, which will be staffed, are in Squirrel Hill, Moon, McKeesport, North Park, South Park and Boyce Park.
Ballots will be transferred to the election warehouse and kept in a locked facility under 24-hour surveillance.
“Expanding access to voting, while maintaining the safety and security of our elections, is critically important to my administration and for protecting our democracy,” County Executive Sara Innamorato said. “It is great news for voters that the Elections Division will be staffing additional ballot return sites. We can all celebrate that voters across Allegheny County have expanded, secure options for voting in this primary.”
The primary will be held on April 23, the first day of Passover. Those who will not be headed to the polls can request a mail-in ballot at www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/OnlineAbsenteeApplication.
The additional ballot return sites will be open the two weekends before Election Day: Saturday, April 13, and April 20, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, April 14, and April 21, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Each voter may only return their own ballot unless they have completed authorization forms to turn in a ballot on behalf of someone who physically is unable to vote, according to county officials. If a voter requires assistance in voting or returning a ballot, they should call 412-350-4500 for further information.
Ballot return sites will only accept completed ballots. There are no provisions for “over-the-counter” voting at these sites.
Voters may drop off mail-in or absentee ballots at these locations:
East End: Carnegie Public Library of Squirrel Hill
5801 Forbes Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
South: South Park Ice Rink
30 Corrigan Drive
Bethel Park, PA 15102
North: North Park Ice Rink
1200 Pearce Mill Road
Wexford, PA 15090
East: Boyce Park Four Seasons Lodge
901 Centerview Drive
Plum, PA 15239
West: 911 Call Center
150 Hookstown Grade Road
Moon, PA 15108
Mon Valley: McKeesport
TBD
The County Office Building will be open for voters to apply for mail-in or absentee ballots and vote in person (“over-the-counter voting”), as well as return of completed mail-in ballots. Over-the-counter voting is available on the first floor of the County Office Building at the corner of Forbes Avenue and Ross Street as soon as ballots are ready.
The deadline to register to vote is April 8, and April 16 is the deadline for applying for an absentee or mail-in ballot. All ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day, April 23. PJC
Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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