House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

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House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	April 5, 2013 11:42 AM
From:	Representative James Clay, Jr.
To:	All House members
Subject:	Co-Sponsorship: CLAY - Circulating and Submitting Nomination Petitions with False Signatures

In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that would amend the Pennsylvania Election Code (Act 320 of 1937) to make it illegal if a person circulates and submits a nominating petition, and it is later determined that multiple signatures are in the same handwriting as one signer of the same petition. Under my proposal, this criminal act would constitute a felony of the third degree. You may be aware that allegations of fraudulent activity by circulators have arisen in recent elections across the Commonwealth. Current law provides for sanctions of persons involved in signing a name other than one’s own and persons involved in fraudulently altering petitions without a signer’s consent. However, my legislation is designed to hold the individuals who circulate and submit fraudulent petitions accountable, as I believe they have an even greater duty to adhere to the strictest of ethical standards. If you believe in upholding the integrity of our election process, I urge you to join me in co-sponsoring this legislation. Thank you.

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