From Pennsylvania Common Cause: (https://www.commoncause.org/pennsylvania/):
There’s a lot going on in Harrisburg lately, and we want to make sure you’re informed!
On Friday, June 28th, the Pennsylvania legislative assembly adjourned for the final time until September. Within the last few weeks, we have seen several attempts, in both chambers, to reform Pennsylvania’s outdated election laws. Well, we have some good news and some bad news in that area.
The good news:
Senate Bill 300 is moving forward. This open primary bill would allow 785,000 independent Pennsylvanians to vote in spring primary elections! It passed the Senate and is on it’s way to the House this fall.
Funding for new voting machines is coming to your county! Thankfully, Governor Tom Wolf has initiated a plan, issuing bonds for $90 million dollars, to fulfill his commitment in the purchasing of new voting machines for our sixty-seven counties. This investment in voting modernization will help improve voter confidence and engagement throughout the commonwealth on every election day.
The bad news:
No census funding in the budget. Getting the next census count right is critical to making sure our government works for everyone — it will shape our nation’s democracy, public policy and economy for the next decade. Analysis, shared by the PA 2020 Census Complete Counts Commission, indicates that Pennsylvania would lose almost $2,100 a year for each person who isn’t counted. We can’t afford to lose out!
No redistricting reform. Common Cause PA will continue our fight to create an independent redistricting commission to draw our state and congressional lines, hold lawmakers accountable for their role in the redistricting process, and organize our grassroots partners to ensure that every voice is heard and every voice counts here in the Commonwealth.
No absentee ballot reform. Pennsylvanian’s will have to wait yet again to have these outdated absentee ballot timelines brought into the 21st century
Common Cause Pennsylvania is committed to continuing conversations with the General Assembly and our partners in an attempt to find pathways forward democracy. Common Cause believes that every person counts and will continue our efforts to inform, educate, and encourage groups, organizations, faith communities, businesses, and everyday people to participate in achieving meaningful reform.
This summer we will reach out to more state, county, local and community organizations to improve the effort for issues such as redistricting, voting modernization, census and more. People want to trust government, but government must exhibit actions and attitudes that they want to be trusted.
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