Voters in Western Pennsylvania and across the country headed out to the polls today to decide races from Westmoreland County commissioners to the Allegheny County executive and district attorney. There are numerous high-profile races on the ballots. Click here to read up on this year’s biggest races to keep an eye on.

Polls close

Polls in Pennsylvania have officially closed.

Write-in campaigns boost voter turnout

Three Greater Latrobe School Board candidates running write-in campaigns over the cost of proposed facilities projects in the district added impetus to voter turnout on Tuesday at the Dennison precinct polling location, Son Rise Church along Frye Farm Road in Unity.

More than 700 of the precinct’s more than 3,500 registered voters had cast ballots as of 5:30 p.m., according to judge of elections Karen Kuklewski.

She said more than 50% of the voters there were casting write-in votes, though she could not say what races were drawing those votes.

Though all who wrote in candidates asked for instructions on the procedure, Kuklewski said the balloting process was proceeding smoothly, with eight touchscreen machines available.

She speculated that an increase in mail-in ballots helped to keep voters from waiting long to make their candidate choices in person.

“I think that’s one of the reasons were not seeing as heavy a flow,” she said. “We normally will have a lot of lines. It’s been a very easy day for us.”

There was a line of voters at times at Unity’s Kuhns precinct, at Twin Lakes Park. At about 4 p.m., there was a wait of a half hour to cast ballots, with just two voting machines on hand.

The Greater Latrobe school board race was on the minds of a number of voters at the Dennison precinct, including Tony and Amy Romano, who moved to Unity from Castle Shannon two years ago.

“We didn’t think they needed a new school after 50 years,” said Amy Romano. “Our house is older than that.”

Tony Romano said he’s used to casting write-in votes.”I’ve always written in myself if I don’t like any of the candidates,” he said.

Richard King, 73, said he considers voting a duty and is not bothered by the extra time it takes to vote for a write-in candidate.

Regarding the school facilities issue, he said he’s concerned about “building schools when there’s a declining population.”

Kristen Voelker, who began voting in 2018, said she had no problem with the procedure for casting write-in votes. She noted there were “a lot more (candidates) to pick this time than in the past.”

She said she turns to her mother for advice on local candidates. “She told me not to vote for the people who are going to raise our taxes,” Voelker said. “I respect her opinion.”

Ballot update, Allegheny County

Another 697 ballots were returned at the County Office Building through 3 p.m., Allegheny County said in a email statement. The ballots were brought to the warehouse, and are being processed and scanned. Three authorized representatives remain at the warehouse – one Democrat and two Republican.

Polls remain open for another until 8 p.m. Anyone who is line to vote then will be allowed to vote.

Irwin poll judge replaced

Westmoreland County elections officials said a judge of elections at an Irwin precinct had to replaced shortly after the polls opened on Tuesday.

Election Bureau Director Greg McCloskey said the judge of elections in charge of the polling location at the First United Methodist Church, where Irwin’s third and fourth wards vote, struggled to perform his duties and raised alarms about his ability to oversee the precinct.

By mid-morning, McCloskey went to Irwin, removed the judge and elevated a poll watcher to assume the judge’s duties.

“It didn’t delay anything. The poll workers picked up the slack,” McCloskey said.

Mail-in ballots delayed

McCloskey said processing issues at the U.S. Post Office in Greensburg resulted in the delay of potentially hundreds of mail-in ballots from being delivered to the Westmoreland County Courthouse.

Postal officials delivered about 130 ballots to the courthouse by late morning and another couple of hundred ballots are expected arrive before the 8 p.m. deadline for them to be counted, McCloskey said.

Mail-in ballots that arrive at the courthouse after 8 p.m. will not be counted or added to the vote totals.

By mid-afternoon Westmoreland County received more than 24,500 mail-in ballots.

“The counting of those ballots are expected to be completed when the polls close,” McCloskey said.

Ballot update, Allegheny County

As of 3 p.m., all ballots that had been received at the warehouse this morning have been opened and scanned, Allegheny County officials said. There are 3,025 ballots that arrived in today’s mail, and 650 ballots that were returned at the curbside ballot return yesterday. Those 3,675 ballots are currently being processed.

Ballot return at the Allegheny County Office Building remains open until 8 p.m. today. Any ballots turned in between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. will be brought to the warehouse once polls close.

Voting field trip

Shira Johnson, 11, has accompanied her father, Chris, on voting outings about eight times as part of her ongoing civic education. She was at his side again today in Harmar.

“I am here to vote for her future,” Chris Johnson, a registered Independent, said. “That’s our responsibility to our children. Local officials are just as important if not more important than the national elections.”

And then there was lunch.

“It was kind of normal,” Shira said of the experience. “We’re getting chicken nuggets now at Wendy’s.”

Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review Shira Johnson, 11, with dad Chris Johnson after voting Tuesday afternoon in Harmar.  

Switching parties and speaking out

Blawnox barista, resident and college student Heather Burke, 48, didn’t mince words after voting today.

A former Democrat who switched and is a now a registered Republican, Burke said her husband was instrumental in her changing parties.

“I always thought I was supposed to be a Democrat because of my income,” said Burke, a lifelong Pittsburgher.

However, Burke said, she’s weary of what she described as “radical” politics.

“It’s so extreme in both political parties,” she said while voting at the Blawnox Volunteer Fire Department. “It’s scary and confusing.”

Election issues such as inflation and crime were mentioned by Burke as important issues facing voters.

“There’s a lot of crazy stuff happening and that’s why people should vote — each one of our votes count,” Burke said.

Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review Blawnox barista, resident and college student Heather Burke votes at Blawnox VFD on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023.  

Soup’s on

Cast your ballot. Have some soup.

Volunteers Breanna Freedline, 25, of Tarentum and Rylee Litterio, 11, of Arnold helped prepare cabbage and noodles today for the East Kensington Community Circle Election Day luncheon.

The Election Day luncheon is a longstanding tradition in the community.

The luncheon raises funds that are redistributed in charitable ways in the New Kensington area.

“I’ve been helping and cutting up vegetables with this event since I was 8-years-old,” said Rylee Litterio, 11, of New Kensington. About a dozen volunteers cook for several days leading up to Election Day.

It’s open to the public until 3 p.m.

A tight DA’s race

Allegheny County and local races were on the mind of longtime voter Barbara Kiser of Springdale Township.

In the race for Allegheny County DA and County Executive, Kiser, a registered Democrat, stressed she doesn’t always follow party lines. Incumbent Stephen A. Zappala Jr., a longtime Democrat, is running as a Republican against Democratic challenger Matt Dugan. Dugan is the county’s former chief public defender.

“I vote for the person, not the party,” said Kiser, 83.

Registered Democrat Barbara Kiser, 83, of Springdale said the races for Allegheny DA and County Executive and the Springdale Township Commissioner brought her to the polls Tuesday morning. “I vote for the person, not the party,” Kiser said. ⁦@VNDNews⁩ ⁦@TribLIVE⁩ pic.twitter.com/XkYRAaV4mv

— Joyce Hanz (@hanz_joyce) November 7, 2023

Kiser, retired from the accounting field, described herself as a “very informed” voter and expressed her frustration that more Americans aren’t making politics a priority.

“I don’t think some people understand their constitutional right to vote. We need that to run our country. Some don’t vote and then they complain. My generation is very patriotic,” Kiser said.

Locally, Kiser said she voted for sole female incumbent Mariana Burns in the Springdale Commissioners race.

Keeping up with politics

Amanda Mattern, 49, of Springdale Township said today that sometimes following political news can be difficult.

“My parents help me to understand,” said Martin, who declined to provide her political party or who she voted for today morning under sunny skies and pleasant temperatures.

Mattern moved from Washington D.C. to Pittsburgh about eight years ago. She said there wasn’t any pressing political issue that brought her to the polls.

“I always vote because my parents want me to vote,” Mattern said. “I’m patriotic voter.”

‘It’s important to show up’

Chuck Anderson, former Westmoreland County commissioner, said he doesn’t think he’s ever sat out an election.

Anderson, 81, of Hempfield, arrived at Maplewood United Presbyterian Church to vote on today. He said he values having a voice in governmental affairs.

“It’s about supporting the Constitution and electing our leaders,” Anderson said.

Megan Swift | Tribune-Review Chuck Anderson, former county commissioner, at the Maplewood United Presbyterian Church polling place in Hempfield Township.  

Muriel Paulson and Jim Vaccare both went to the Hempfield Athletic Complex to vote.

Paulson, 62, of Hempfield, said she “always” comes out to vote.

“It’s important to show up and vote and care for what’s going on in our community,” she said.

Vaccare, 75, of Hempfield, said he also always votes — unless he’s not feeling well or he’s out of town.

“It’s important to keep the right people in the right positions,” he said.

Voting is all about citizens being able to make their own decisions, according to Anderson.

“If we lived in an autocratic form of government, somebody else would be making these decisions, but we’re very fortunate to live where we live so that we can have that opportunity to have a voice in who leads us,” Anderson said.

I’m here in Hempfield Township for Election Day.

The lines at polling places are sparse this morning @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/zxS0xRRkR7

— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) November 7, 2023

11:40 a.m., Polling places

Minor issues with Allegheny County polling places reported have been resolved, a spokeswoman said.

A generator and lights arrived at a Mt. Washington polling place, where power had gone out, allowing voting to move into the building, officials said.

At a Bethel Park polling place, it was reported that there was construction in front of the entrance, but voters have access. Workers are directing at the intersection.

At the elections warehouse, there are currently four authorized representatives — two Democrats and two Republicans.

Ballot extraction began at 9:55 a.m.. Scanning began at 11:15 a.m.

Allegheny County spokeswoman reflects on working elections, time with Fitzgerald

Amie Downs has worked every election over the past 12 years as spokeswoman for Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. It’s not always fun. Things can get testy on deadline with reporters. But she respects the jobs that journalists have and hopes they feel the same way about her.

Fitzgerald is leaving office after three terms, which is the maximum allowed.

“An election is not a small undertaking — there are over 7,000 people involved just today, and the work on one election begins right after, and sometimes before, the current one ends,” Downs said this morning. “Over the last 12 years that I’ve been privileged to be in this position, this office has been transformed. I’m just proud to have been a small part of that.”

She estimates she’s worked somewhere around 30 elections, including special elections.

“Reporters have a tough job and I’ve always respected that,” Downs said. ” We may sometimes be at cross purposes, but ultimately our goals are the same — to ensure that the public has the information that it needs. That’s particularly true when it comes to an election.

“We’ve worked hard to increase what and how we communicate, not just to the media and public, but also to the candidates, parties and campaigns that are involved. I hope that they’ve seen the value in that work and that whomever is in this seat for the next election will work to maintain those relationships and always strive to improve and increase communication for everyone.” 

What’s next for Downs? She’ll finish out the year with Fitzgerald.

“After that, I don’t know what’s next yet. I’ve been talking to a number of organizations about opportunities and carefully weighing them all, but haven’t made any decision yet,” she said.

10:15 a.m., sluggish turnout in New Kensington

Westmoreland County Judge of Elections Davon Magwood described the voter turnout three hours into Election Day as “low and slow” with 26 voters so far.

“I’m seeing a lot of elderly voters but the younger voters are not as involved. They come out for the Presidential and gubernatorial elections,” Magwood said at the Martin Elementary School polling place.

Magwood blamed voter fatigue as a possible factor affecting the sparse amount of voters in New Kensington.

“There’s such an onslaught of political ads,” he said. “The low turnout is disappointing.”

9:45 a.m., Rockey vs. Innamorato

Republican Joe Rockey and Democrat Sara Innamorato are facing off in an election to replace outgoing Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. The race is expected to be very close.

Both traded tweets this morning.

Good Morning Squirrel Hill!

Thank you to everyone casting their ballot today for Democrats up and down the ballot.

Together we’re building a safe and thriving Allegheny County for all! pic.twitter.com/fukBn5jF65

— Sara Innamorato (@Innamo) November 7, 2023

Leaving @KDKA this morning, a man pulled up in his car and said he was a Democrat and voting for us today.

This isn’t unusual. Democrats, Independents & Republicans say they hear our message and feel included.

When we say we’re #FightingForAllOfUs, we mean it. #VoteRockey pic.twitter.com/UyEkNGWo9c

— Joe Rockey (@VoteRockey) November 7, 2023

9 a.m, no major issues in Allegheny County

Allegheny County spokeswoman Amie Downs said most polling places are running smoothly this morning.

Several polling places in Pittsburgh opened late, and one temporarily moved it’s operations outside on Norton Street in Mt. Washington because of a power failure, Downs said. Generators and lights were brought in.

“At the elections warehouse, staff completed the review of the declaration envelopes around 7:40 a.m.,” Downs said. “The declaration envelopes are being opened and work has begun to extract the secrecy envelopes.”

Here is our 2023 Election Guide.

As of yesterday, Mail-in ballots already exceeded 2021s total in Allegheny County. Turnout is expected to hit 38%. Did you vote? pic.twitter.com/2p9ZC2Q7jm

— Ryan Deto (@RyanDeto) November 7, 2023

On the issues

The issue of violence in America was on the mind of Helen Crissman as she headed out to vote today morning in Lower Burrell.

The 86-year-old has been a resident there for 60 years.

“I’m worried about the violence — teen violence — and the drugs,” said Crissman said as she headed inside the Church of God on Chester Avenue.

No matter what the issues are, Crissman said she always makes sure to cast a vote. “It’s the right thing to do,” she said.

Early voters

By 7:20 a.m., nearly 20 voters had cast their ballots at the Allegheny Township Municipal Building on a cloudy, misty morning in Westmoreland County.

Jill Humberger, 54, of Allegheny Township arrived to vote around 7:30 a.m.

She described herself as a “a dedicated voter.”

“I like to support my party,” said Humberger, a registered Republican. “I vote straight party, and the upcoming Presidential election is my biggest issue.”

Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review Retired Kiski Area teacher Paul Gatto, 85, cast his ballot Tuesday at the Leechburg at fire hall.  

At the volunteer fire hall in Leechburg on today morning, retired Kiski Area teacher Paul Gatto, 85, was there early to cast his vote.

The registered Republican who has resided in Leechburg since the 1960s said he never misses a voting opportunity and wishes more fellow Americans would get to the polls. “People are too lax now,” he said.

7 a.m., Polls are open

Polls opened at 7 a.m. and will remain open until 8 pm. Anyone in line at 8 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

We’ve compiled all our coverage here to make it easy to catch up and get information on the races that impact Western Pennsylvania.

Here is our 2023 Election Guide.

Here we go pic.twitter.com/jLCOAUYDNq

— Ben Schmitt (@bencschmitt) November 7, 2023

Absentee/mail-in ballots

Voters with an absentee or mail-in ballot must have their votes in by 8 p.m. today in order to be counted. The ballot must be placed in the secrecy envelope, and the secrecy envelope secured in the declaration envelope. The voter must sign and date (with the date they completed the ballot) the back of the envelope. If any of those things are missing, the ballot will not be counted.

If you are unsure if you followed the instructions, you are encouraged to go to your polling place and vote provisionally.

To see if your ballot has been received, check the Election Ballot Status online.

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