INFORMATION FROM ALLEGHENY COUNTY REGARDING 

ADDITIONAL IN-PERSON VOTING OPTIONS

Additional Election Offices

On September 17, the Allegheny County Board of Elections approved the opening of additional offices leading up to the November 3 election. Each office will provide opportunity for over-the-counter voting, and the return of voted ballots to a fully-staffed, secure office. 

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 provided 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.

The voter’s record will be updated to show that the individual’s ballot has been returned. Voted ballots are secured within the Elections Division before being transported to the Elections Warehouse where they are stored in a locked room which is also under camera surveillance. They will remain there until 7 AM on Election Day when ballots may begin to be opened and counted.