Hi, Neighbors,
I have worked on making sure that everyone’s vote counts since 2002.  So I wanted to make sure you all have the latest voting info for Allegheny County.

1.  Mail-in ballots have begun going out to those who requested them.
Mail-in and absentee ballot packets have begun to go out to county voters. Approximately 20,000 ballots were delivered to the post office yesterday and, by the end of the day today, another 50,000 ballots will have been delivered to the post office for mailing. 

2.  You can do over-the-counter voting in advance of Election Day.

A.  Voters can NOW do over-the-counter voting at the Elections Division office at 542 Forbes Avenue, Room 601, in downtown Pittsburgh during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. 

Over-the-counter voting entails a voter going to the counter in the Elections Division and applying in- person for a mail-in or absentee ballot. The application is the same as the one found online and can be completed in advance of going to the County Office Building. Once the application is completed and submitted to the Elections staff, the application will be processed using the SURE system to ensure the voter is registered to vote, hasn’t already applied for a ballot, or has any other barriers to voting.

Once reviewed and approved, the ballot for that person’s municipality, ward and precinct will be handed to the voter along with a security and declaration envelope, and instructions for voting. Privacy screens will be set up on the counter to allow the voter to complete their ballot in secret. Once voted, the ballot is folded and placed in a security envelope which is then placed inside of a second envelope with the voter’s declaration printed on the back. The voter will complete and sign the declaration before returning the envelope to Elections staff.

B.  Over-the-counter voting will also be available at Satellite Locations approved by the Board of Elections beginning on October 10. The Satellite Locations—with times and dates they are open—are listed below (this information should also soon be up on the Allegheny County Elections website along with directions to the different sites).  

Bethany Hallam who is an Allegheny Council Councilwoman, At-Large and a member of the Board of Elections (and a super person who is working hard to keep everyone up-to-date on voting) said to be sure to allow at least 15 minutes to vote over-the-counter since they have to check your registration before you can vote.  (Note:  That doesn’t include the standing-in-line time. That’s just the time for them to check your registration & for you to vote.)

3.  You can also drop off your voted ballot in Drop Boxes at the Satellite Locations listed below (as well as at the Elections Office downtown).  Ballot drop-off is separate from the line for over-the-counter voting at these locations so dropping off your ballot should be quick and easy.  CAUTION:  You can only drop off your own ballot, nobody else’s, and workers at these locations will ask you if you are dropping off your own ballot (you don’t need ID to drop it off, but if it were me, I’d take some form of ID anyhow).

4.  VERY IMPORTANT CAUTIONS to make sure your vote counts:  
Whether you drop off your ballot or whether you are voting by mail via USPS, 
- REMEMBER TO SIGN THE OUTER ENVELOPE. 
- REMEMBER TO PUT YOUR BALLOT INTO THE INNER/SECRECY ENVELOPE.  
If you forget either of these two things, your vote will NOT be counted!!!!  Bethany wants everyone to know: “this is so very important as experts are predicting as many as 100,000 votes in PA could be tossed out for not doing these 2 simple things!" 

Over-the-counter Satellite Voting and Ballot Drop-Off Locations, Dates & Times

Saturday, October 10 – Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM   and   Sunday, October 11 – Hours: 11 AM to 7 PM

County Office Building, 542 Forbes Avenue, Room 601, Downtown Pittsburgh, 15219

North Park Ice Rink, 12000 Kummer Road, Wexford, PA 15090

South Park Ice Rink, 300 Corrigan Drive, Bethel Park, PA 15102

DPW Garage # 2 (Carnegie), 1040 Campbells Run Road, Carnegie, PA 15106

CCAC Homewood, 701 North Homewood Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15208

Saturday, October 17 – Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM    and   Sunday, October 18 – Hours: 11 AM to 7 PM

County Office Building, 542 Forbes Avenue, Room 601, Downtown Pittsburgh, 15219

South Park Ice Rink, 300 Corrigan Drive, Bethel Park, PA 15102

CCAC South, 1750 Clairton Road, West Mifflin, PA 15122

Boyce Park Ski Lodge, 901 Centerview Drive, Plum, PA 15239

Shop ‘n Save Hill District, 1850 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Saturday, October 24 – Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM   and   Sunday, October 25 – Hours: 11 AM to 7 PM

County Office Building, 542 Forbes Avenue, Room 601, Downtown Pittsburgh, 15219

Boyce Park Ski Lodge, 901 Centerview Drive, Plum, PA 15239

CCAC South, 1750 Clairton Road, West Mifflin, PA 15122

CCAC Allegheny, 807 Ridge Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

North Park Ice Rink, 12000 Kummer Road, Wexford, PA 15090

If anything changes, or if I have more voting news that’s important, I’ll send more info to the listserv.  
Vote!  
janet jai, MLA
Author, Saving Our Public Libraries: Why We Should. How We Can, and Tree’s Song (for Jenni) about the lifelong love between a girl and a tree.