Allegheny County to add 5 ballot drop-off locations for primary election

Voters in Allegheny County will have more options to drop off mail-in ballots in time for April’s primary.

The drop-off service is expanding from one location in Downtown Pittsburgh to up to a half-dozen across the county.

Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato announced Thursday the election office will be adding five drop-off sites that will be staffed the two weekends before Election Day on April 23.

Voters will be able to drop off mail-in and absentee ballots at locations in Squirrel Hill, Moon Township, North Park, South Park and Boyce Park.

The county created drop boxes for the 2020 elections, but they were scrapped the following year because of budgetary concerns.

Previously, voters who used mail-in ballots could opt to send them with postage or drop them off during business hours at a kiosk in Downtown Pittsburgh.

For years, former County Executive Rich Fitzgerald was content with those options and objected to bringing back satellite drop boxes.

Innamorato, who took office last month, vowed to expand election access during her campaign.

“Expanding access to voting, while maintaining the safety and security of our elections, is critically important to my administration and for protecting our democracy,” Innamorato said.

Voters may drop off mail-in or absentee ballots at the following locations from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 13; from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 14; from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 20; and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 21:

• Carnegie Public Library of Squirrel Hill: 5801 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
• South Park Ice Rink: 30 Corrigan Drive, Bethel Park, PA 15102
• North Park Ice Rink: 1200 Pearce Mill Road, Wexford, PA 15090
• Boyce Park Four Seasons Lodge: 901 Centerview Drive, Plum, PA 15239
• 911 Call Center: 150 Hookstown Grade Road, Moon, PA 15108

Allegheny County Councilwoman at-large Bethany Hallam, D-Marshall-Shadeland, has been advocating for the return of satellite drop-box locations since they were removed more than three years ago.

She said she is excited to see them brought back and wants to see them made permanent.

When asked if the county will have satellite drop boxes for the November general election, county spokeswoman Abigail Gardner said the county wants to see how the process plays out in the primary before deciding.

Hallam, a member of the county’s election board, added that she wished the matter would have been brought to the board’s attention first.

Allegheny County Councilman at-large Sam DeMarco, R-North Fayette, who also is an election board member, criticized Innamorato’s choice to expand drop boxes without consulting the board or the public.

“To do this in this manner while so many still question the integrity of our election will only serve to further divide us,” he said.

Each mail-in voter can place only their own ballot in drop boxes. The only exception is for voters with written authorization from the state that they are not physically able to drop off their ballots.

The Downtown voting kiosk will open to drop off ballots starting Monday, April 15.

Voters can park briefly in front of the Ross Street entrance to the County Office Building at 542 Forbes Ave. to drop off their ballots.

That drop box is available at the following dates and times:

From 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday, April 15-Thursday, April 18; 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, April 19; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, April 20; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, April 21; 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. the day before Election Day, Monday, April 22; and 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Election Day, the same as polling place hours.