Virus outbreak slows ballot count in Westmoreland County

A coronavirus outbreak in the Westmoreland County Elections Bureau is slowing the provisional ballot count as officials scrambled Thursday to find additional volunteers to complete the work as the deadline to certify results from the Nov. 3 election nears.

Commissioner Doug Chew said six county workers affiliated with the Elections Bureau are off the job. So far, four county staffers tested positive for the virus, including two who were identified Tuesday and two more Thursday morning. Two other staffers were tested and are awaiting results.

That disclosure prompted a handful of volunteers serving on seven four-member bipartisan boards that review provisional ballots to quit Thursday morning. Just 10 board members remained on the job.

Elections Bureau employees were given the option to continue at work. Those who have are confined to their courthouse offices and are not permitted in the counting room.

“We deemed them essential workers, and it was their option to stay,” Chew said.

Dozens of county employees and volunteers have worked in close quarters since Monday in the public meeting rooms at the Greensburg courthouse to review provisional ballots. Some elections bureau staffers were at the courthouse Wednesday to complete administrative work while the courthouse was closed to the public for Veterans Day.

The county has a deadline of Nov. 23 to officially certify election results. Eligibility reviews of 3,600 provisional ballots started Monday, and, so far, only about a third have been completed, Chew said. No provisional ballots have been counted.

The state Democratic and Republican committees pulled most of their sanctioned watchers from the courthouse, officials said. Some working for specific candidates have remained while volunteers continued work Thursday after being notified about the coronavirus diagnoses.

“I’m comfortable being in there,” said Ben Wren, a poll watcher for the campaign of state Senate Republican candidate Nicole Ziccarelli, who is in a tight race with incumbent Democrat Jim Brewster for the 45th District seat.

Chew said the county’s Democratic and Republican committee chairs have been asked to help find additional volunteers to continue work on the provisional ballots.

“The Department of State is extremely concerned for all the dedicated Westmoreland County staff affected, and for their families,” agency spokeswoman Wanda Murren said. “We have the utmost respect and appreciation for those who are continuing the necessary work of canvassing the vote, and we will do what we can to support them.”

The courthouse virus outbreak comes as cases continue to surge throughout the county and state. A record 207 new coronavirus cases was reported Thursday for Westmoreland County, as the state reported a record 5,488 new cases.

Coronavirus cases caused the closure of one criminal courtroom this week at the courthouse, and probation workers were sent home Tuesday after a worker in that office tested positive. The probation office reopened Thursday.