Allegheny County election officials promise mail-in ballots will arrive soon

Allegheny County election officials are stressing to voters that mail-in ballots are on the way as the elections division works around the clock to process applications.

“We’re getting caught up this week,” elections division manager David Voye said Wednesday. “If you haven’t received your ballot yet, I understand your concern. But please be patient. We are trying to get them out.”

Anyone who has not received a ballot shouldn’t panic, even if their online tracking status says their ballot has been mailed, Voye said.

That status represents when a mailing label was printed for their ballot, but other steps in the process need to be carried out.

Four times the normal number of Allegheny County elections staff are working across three shifts, 24 hours a day to process applications for mail-in ballots, as well as completed mail-in and absentee ballots, ahead of the primary.

Staffers had processed more than 215,000 applications for mail-in ballots by Friday afternoon. That equates to about 25% voter turnout, compared with the 22% turnout expected for this election.

Applications for mail-in or absentee ballots must be returned to the elections division office by 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 26.

Completed ballots must be returned to the elections division office by 8 p.m. the day of the primary, June 2.

If voters are worried their ballot will not arrive in time by mail, they can be dropped off in person at the elections division office in Downtown Pittsburgh at 542 Forbes Ave.

Anyone who does not receive a mail-in ballot in time or who has concerns about its status can vote at their polling place on Election Day using a provisional ballot.

A provisional ballot will not be counted until it is verified that a mail-in or absentee ballot was not received.

Voters who choose to vote in person on Election Day are encouraged to wear a mask and bring a pen — blue or black ink — to polling places. Masks will be available at polling places for those who show up without one.

Those who refuse to wear a mask won’t be turned away, Voye said.

“We can’t take away their right to vote because they won’t wear a mask,” Voye said. “But we think everyone will be respectful and wear a mask.”

There will also be an ample supply of pens for anyone who doesn’t bring their own.

“We are asking voters to bring their own. That way they can take it with them or throw it away,” Voye said. “It’s just for safety.”

Ballot-marking devices for anyone unable to hand-mark a paper ballot will be available at all polling places. Those devices can be operated by touch screen, stylus or Braille adapter.

There will also be large containers of wipes to clean surfaces and marks on the floor to remind voters to stay at least six feet apart.

The Allegheny County Board of Elections voted in April to consolidate polling places in order to cut down on the number of poll workers needed on Election Day.

That consolidation was approved by the Pennsylvania Department of State this week and reduces the number of voting districts from 1,323 to 416.

Voters will receive a postcard prior to Election Day advising them of their polling place location.

Polling places will open at 7 a.m., and voters will be directed to the right area when they arrive by the first letter of their last name.