From PA Voice (https://www.facebook.com/KeystoneVotes/):
More needs to be done to modernize our election system, including changing the way people vote. There’s no reason every voter should have to vote on one specific day.
It’s time for Pennsylvania to embrace early in-person voting.
Allowing early in-person voting would relieve congestion at polling locations and give voters with challenging work schedules or family situations the chance to choose the time that works best for them.
“Early voting gives people who must work the opportunity to vote. Many people work more than one job, and most will make working a priority instead of voting,” said Emily Gale, PennFuture’s Director of Civic Engagement. “Early voting has given a voice to those who could not vote because taking time off currently is not an option. Far too long our people have been disenfranchised due to having to vote at the polls only on election day. Early voting allows more people to participate in our Democracy.”
Early in-person voting is not some novel concept, either. More than two-thirds of states allow the practice in some form.
In fact, the 33 states that have adopted early voting have shown us that it works best when it runs over at least two weeks, allows people to vote at night and on weekends to accommodate voters’ varied schedules, and is offered at locations throughout counties to make it convenient for all voters.
“Early voting is important for people with disabilities who often experience barriers at the polls on Election Day,” said Jennifer Garman, Director of Government Affairs for Disability Rights Pennsylvania. “It allows voters with disabilities to plan transportation to their polling place and provides additional time to address accessibility concerns if an individual encounters issues such as broken voting equipment or an inaccessible polling place.”
The reality is that the way campaigns are run today, it’s no longer simply election day — when voters have just one chance to cast their ballot. It’s election season, and voters should have plenty of opportunities to have their voices heard — so long as they take advantage of the opportunities open to them.
We know that policies early in-person voting work, that they are cost effective, and that they help to ensure safe, transparent elections. Equally as important, they have garnered broad support from Republicans and Democrats alike.
It’s time for Pennsylvania to join the majority of states by removing barriers and giving voters greater access to cast their ballots at the polls.
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