Pittsburgh, PA–On Wednesday, September 2, at 2:30 PM EST, All Voting is Local and other community organizations including SEIU Healthcare PA, SEIU 32BJ, Pittsburgh United, Casa San Jose, Just Harvest, Circles Greater Pittsburgh, Alliance for Police Accountability, as well as national groups will host a virtual press briefing to call on Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Elections Division Manager David Voye, and the Allegheny County Board of Elections to immediately publish and implement a plan that includes satellite county offices, drop boxes, hazard pay for poll workers, and efficient levels of Election Day polling places.
While counties across the state have decided to adopt these reforms, Allegheny County has failed to create a clear and comprehensive plan to ensure safe, secure voting for all residents.
WHEN: Wednesday, September 2:30 – 3:15 PM
WHERE: https://zoom.us/j/5394822157
WHO:
Aerion Abney, Director of Special Projects, All Voting is Local
Bethany Hallam, Member at Large, Allegheny County Council
Brandi Fisher, Alliance for Police Accountability
Ed Gainey, Pennsylvania State Representative
Dr. Jennie Sweet-Cushman, Associate Professor of Political Science, Chatham University
Sam Williamson, Western Pennsylvania District Leader, SEIU 32BJ
Tammy Thompson, Executive Director, Circles Greater Pittsburgh
Background: Many of Pennsylvania’s largest counties are implementing plans for satellite election offices and drop boxes and are aggressively recruiting and training poll workers to ensure that however voters choose to cast their ballots, they are able to do so safely and conveniently. But Allegheny County has so far not acted to protect our right to vote–particularly working people and Black and brown voters. Amid an unprecedented public health crisis that has already claimed the lives of at least 7,635 Pennsylvanians and a political attack on the United States Postal Service that threatens to slow the return of mail ballots prior to Election Day, it’s critical that county officials act to better protect public health and the integrity of our elections by expanding access to safe and secure voting options.