Allegheny County to open new elections offices for ballot drop-offs, voting help

Allegheny County voters now have more options to vote early and submit ballots without relying on the mail or visiting a polling place on Election Day, officials announced Thursday.

Concerns raised about voting during the covid-19 pandemic prompted the county’s Board of Elections to unanimously approve a proposal to open new offices leading up to the Nov. 3 presidential election.

During three weekends in October, the temporary locations “will provide opportunity for voters to provide over-the-counter voting, and the return of voted ballots to a fully staffed, secure office,” county spokeswoman Amie Downs said.

Elections Divisions Manager Dave Voye lauded the “additional options for voters to engage in the democratic process.”

None of the drop-off locations is in the Alle-Kiski Valley. The closest to the Valley is on its fringe, at the Boyce Park ski lodge.

The additional elections offices and hours include:

• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11 — County office building (Downtown Pittsburgh), North and South Park ice rinks, Community College of Allegheny County’s Homewood campus and the Department of Public Works Garage No. 2 in Carnegie.

• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18 — County office building, South Park ice rink, Boyce Park ski lodge, Shop ’n Save in Pittsburgh’s Hill District and CCAC’s South campus in West Mifflin.

• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25 — County office building, North Park ice rink, Boyce Park ski lodge, CCAC’s South campus in West Mifflin and CCAC’s main campus in Pittsburgh’s North Side.

Administrative Services Director Jerry Tyskiewicz said ballots can start going out to voters in about a week.