Westmoreland County board approves canvassing schedule, extended hours and multiple polling-place relocations ahead of May 19 primary

The Westmoreland County Board of Elections on April 14 unanimously approved a series of administrative actions to prepare for the May 19, 2026 General Primary, including schedules for pre‑canvassing and canvassing of mail-in and absentee ballots, extended public office hours, reserving voter parking, and multiple polling-place relocations.

By motion of Commissioner Ted Kopas, seconded by Commissioner Douglas W. Chew, the board authorized Election Bureau staff to perform the official count for the May 19 primary commencing Friday, May 22, 2026. The board also authorized Election Bureau staff and temporarily assigned employees to serve on the Mail-In & Absentee Board to conduct pre‑canvassing beginning at 7:00 a.m. on May 19 and to begin canvassing immediately after the close of polls on May 19, continuing until completed. In addition, the Westmoreland County Provisional Board was scheduled to convene Friday, May 22 at 9:00 a.m.

The board acknowledged the application of 25 Pa. Stat. Ann. § 2682.2, which allows the duties of a clerk of elections or machine operator to be performed by two individuals who each work half an election day and be compensated at one-half the authorized rate for a full day. The board also agreed to reserve six parking spaces on Pennsylvania Avenue for voters visiting the Election Bureau from the City of Greensburg from April 27 through May 19, 2026.

The board approved extended Election Bureau public hours for Monday, May 4 through Monday, May 18 (weekdays 8 a.m.–7 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; excluding Sundays) and Election Day (Tuesday, May 19) from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The board approved a series of polling-place relocations across the county, including:

- Fairfield Township (Fairfield) from Fairfield Township Municipal Building to Fairfield Township Volunteer Fire Company #1, 5414 Route 711, New Florence; - East Huntingdon Township (Ruffsdale) from Ruffsdale Elementary School to East Huntingdon Fire Department, 120 Fire Dept Road, Tarrs; - Latrobe Borough 1st Ward from Goodwill Hose Co. #1 to Huber Hall, 300 S. Alexandria Street, Latrobe; - Ligonier Township (Wilpen) from Wilpen VFD to Ligonier Camp & Conference, The Joshua House, 188 Macartney Lane; - New Kensington wards from Westmoreland Community College rooms to Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, 1150 4th Avenue; - Scottdale Borough 4th Ward from Scottdale Volunteer Fire Department to St. John the Baptist Church – School, 501 S. Broadway Street; - Vandergrift Borough wards from St. Gertrude Hall to Vandergrift Presbyterian Church and Kiski Valley YMCA, 204 S. Pennsylvania Avenue.

Commissioner Douglas W. Chew said he agreed with requests for additional signage to direct voters to the Election Bureau; staff member Ross took notes to add the requested signage. Commissioner Kopas asked public commenters to help publicize the polling-place changes.

All actions were approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.