Westmoreland county voting access sparks partisan clash

A renewed push for ballot drop boxes in Westmoreland County is exposing a deep partisan rift, pitting Democrats against a Republican majority on the county commission just weeks before the May 19 primary.

The accessibility argument

Democrats, alongside a coalition of voters, labor leaders, and veterans, rallied Tuesday outside the Westmoreland County Courthouse, advocating for the reinstatement of the boxes. Commissioner Ted Kopas, a Democrat, argues the boxes—utilized during the pandemic—proved a valuable tool for voters, particularly in a county with an aging population and challenging terrain compounded by an often-unreliable postal service. “Our elections should be safe, secure, and accessible,” Kopas stated, highlighting the testimony received during the rally.

But the argument isn’t solely about convenience. Kopas asserts that the county possesses both the logistical and financial capacity to reintroduce the drop boxes, a point seemingly lost on his Republican colleagues. The current impasse demonstrates a growing tension over election accessibility versus perceived security risks.

Republicans cite low usage and staffing concerns

Two weeks ago, a party-line vote saw the three commissioners—Kopas, alongside Sean Kertes and Doug Chew—reject reinstating the drop boxes. Commission Chairman Kertes countered that the boxes saw minimal usage during their previous deployment. “My position on drop boxes has not changed,