PITTSBURGH — A coalition of Pennsylvania organizations are urging Allegheny County election officials to adopt pro-voter principles in their planning for the upcoming November elections, as well as future elections. In order to protect the freedom to vote and prevent barriers to the ballot, the organizations are urging the county to take measures that include ensuring the availability of voting options and voter education materials.
The 19 groups detailed the “Pro-Voter Agenda” in a letter sent to the Allegheny County Board of Elections on Thursday. The agenda calls on officials to adopt policies that ensure: accessible ballot drop boxes, expanded early voting sites, fully-staffed polling places, election information mailed to all voters, expanded access to the ballot for people with limited English proficiency, robust and transparent public meeting schedules, and funding that protects the freedom to vote.
“By offering voters accessible options to vote, consistent information, transparent decision making, and well resourced election administration, the Pro-Voter Agenda will enshrine proactive policies that deliver the promise of American democracy to all residents of our county,” the groups wrote. “Ultimately, elections officials work for the voters. Elections administered without these solutions will result in a lack of continuity between elections, create barriers for residents of our county, and fail to serve Allegheny County voters.”
The full letter can be found here and was signed by the following organizations:
1Hood
African American Chamber of Commerce of Western PA
All Voting is Local PA
Alliance for Police Accountability
Black Political Empowerment Project (B-PEP)
Black Voters Matter Fund
Black Women for Positive Change
Keystone Votes
One PA
Pittsburgh Coalition of Black Trade Unionists
Pittsburghers for Public Transit
Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates
PUMP
Take Action Mon Valley
The Pennsylvania Joint Board of Workers United, SEIU
The Pittsburgh Chapter of the Links Incorporated
Voter Empowerment Education & Enrichment Movement Pittsburgh
Wake Up the Vote
West End P.O.W.E.R.