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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 14, 2019 01:27 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Tina M. Davis |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Extending the Absentee Voting Deadline |
| Every year, thousands of Pennsylvanians send in their absentee ballots one, two, or even three days before an election only for their votes to not count. This is because of an outdated detail in Pennsylvania law, which requires that absentee ballots be received by 5pm on the Friday before an election. This rule strips many voters of their right to vote and is, by far, the most restrictive deadline in the nation – nearly every other state allows ballots to be returned by or even after Election Day. To combat this problem, I am introducing legislation to extend the date by which citizens must return absentee ballots. My bill will allow absentee ballots to be received up to six days after the election so long as they are postmarked by Election Day, something that occurs in numerous other states throughout the country. It makes no sense that individuals voting absentee, which generally includes infirmed citizens and military personnel, are given less time to vote than someone who shows up to the polls on Election Day. Voting is the foundation of our democratic society and is a fundamental right that we should cherish for all eligible citizens. Support this commonsense piece of legislation and join me in updating an outdated, inconvenient law. Help protect the right to vote. |
Introduced as HB493