An open letter to the Westmoreland County commissioners:
I am concerned for the partisan decision to eliminate the drop box from in front of the Westmoreland County Courthouse (“Republican commissioners remove ballot drop box from Westmoreland courthouse,” Sept. 28, TribLIVE) for the upcoming election.
The county has an aging population. Many senior citizens choose voting by mail as an option based on their needs. By not providing this option for submitting their ballots, the county is placing an undue burden on voters.
We cannot risk the health and safety of voters with issues or make it difficult for them to submit their ballots, should they get them too late to mail. The argument that the drop box is underutilized or too costly is invalid. There are over 28,000 mail-in ballot requests for the November election. Westmoreland County has received $1.267 million from the Election Integrity Grant Program to help with expenses, including satellite drop boxes.
At least two drop boxes should be provided at locations outside Greensburg to provide options to the voters. Our county must administer safe, secure and convenient voting for all registered voters. Let the voters decide if they wish to use a drop box or not. Don’t take that choice away from them.
Matt Shorraw
Monessen