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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 19, 2016 09:39 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Kevin J. Schreiber |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Ballot Questions Only Offered at General Elections |
| In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation requiring proposed ballot questions only be submitted to the voters at the general election in the fall. My legislation amends the Pennsylvania Election Code stating that ballot questions may only be submitted to the “qualified electors of the Commonwealth” at the general election. Pennsylvania is a closed primary state where only registered voters of a political party may vote in the primary. Unfortunately, as the system stands now, important ballot questions are decided at primary elections. While independent voters may vote on ballot questions at a primary, it is unlikely that electors will go to the polls only to vote for ballot questions when they are prohibited from voting for actual candidates. Because ballot questions can be far-reaching, it makes sense for the largest number of voters to weigh in on them. The general election traditionally sees a higher turnout. My change is common sense in that the greatest number of electors will see the question and the higher number of votes will allow the greatest hope of a consensus in deciding the issue. Please join me in supporting this meaningful legislation. |