House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016 Regular Session

Posted:	January 8, 2015 12:17 PM
From:	Representative Scott Conklin
To:	All House members
Subject:	Allowing Registered Independent Electors to Vote in Primary Elections for Municipal Candidates (Former HB988)

In the near future, I intend to re-introduce legislation which would permit electors that are not registered with either party (Democrat or Republican) to vote in a primary election for certain judges and municipal candidates. Specifically, I am re-introducing House Bill 988 PN 1152 of the 2013-14 Legislative Session. This legislation amends the Pennsylvania Election Code for the purpose of allowing an elector who is not a member of either party, Democrat or Republican, to vote in a primary election for any of the following municipal candidates: judge of a court of common pleas, the Philadelphia Municipal Court or the Traffic Court of Philadelphia, or for the office of school director or magisterial district judge in a district where that office is elective. However, in order to vote, the elector must choose a party on the ballot. My legislation will provide electors, who are registered as Independents, the opportunity to choose a party for the primary election and vote for municipal candidates. I believe that every qualified American, regardless of his/her party affiliation, has the right to vote in primary elections for municipal candidates. Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation. Previous Cosponsors: BIZZARRO, V. BROWN, CARROLL, DAVIDSON, GALLOWAY, GIBBONS AND YOUNGBLOOD,
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Introduced as HB575