Allegheny County Board of Elections 09-04-26

The Allegheny County Board of Elections held a meeting on September 4, 2026, primarily focused on preparations for the 2026 general election and public comments regarding voting access. A significant portion of the meeting involved discussions about expanding satellite election offices and ballot drop-off sites to accommodate the high volume of mail-in ballots in the county, which exceeds that of Philadelphia despite having fewer registered voters. Public commenters and board members emphasized the need for more accessible voting options, extended hours, and additional locations to ensure voter participation, especially for working families, people with disabilities, and communities historically facing barriers to voting. The board considered and passed an amendment to increase satellite voting locations from five to seven and ballot drop-off sites from nine to twelve, acknowledging the associated costs and staffing challenges. Additionally, the board approved a resolution to codify the practice of voter registration at administrative naturalization ceremonies, ensuring continued support for new citizens registering to vote. The meeting concluded with a motion to enter executive session to discuss potential legal matters.