Westmoreland election bureau to remain open evenings and weekends through Nov. 2

Westmoreland County’s Election Bureau will remain open until 8 p.m. through the Nov. 2 election, officials said.

The hours will allow additional time for the office to process mail-in ballot applications and perform other administrative duties, according to election bureau Office Manager Jessica Goughnour.

The elections office willbe open daily at 8 a.m. — 30 minutes early — and remain open for four additional hours after the courthouse’s weekday 4 p.m. closing. The office will operate 12 hours a day and be open to the public Saturdays and Sundays prior to the election.

The department’s staff of four full-time clerks and two temporary employees is expected receive additional help in the coming days, Goughnour said. Employee shifts will be spread out over the 12-hour workdays to limit overtime expenses, she said.

Officials said extended hours will serve as a complement the drop box program approved last week by county commissioners.

A drop box will be available at the courthouse until 8 p.m., every day through Nov. 1. On Election Day, the courthouse drop box will close at 7:30 p.m., but mail-in ballots will continue to be accepted at the Election Bureau office until polls close at 8 p.m.

Meanwhile, drop boxes will be open at locations in Monessen, Murrysville, New Kensington, Unity and Youngwood on the two weekends prior to the election.

Election officials said the more than 19,000 no-excuse mail-in ballots were sent out to voters late last week. The deadline to apply for mail-in ballots is Oct. 26.