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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 2, 2014 02:20 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Ryan A. Bizzarro and Rep. Kevin J. Schreiber |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Same Day Voter Registration (Former House Bill 178) |
| In the near future, we plan to reintroduce House Bill 178 of 2013, which amends Title 25 (Elections) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing same-day voter registration in Pennsylvania. Same-day registration allows any qualified resident of the state to go to the polls or an election official's office on Election Day, register to vote that day, and then vote. Proponents of same-day registration note that benefits include increased voter turnout, greater access for lower-income, young, and minority voters, and improved accuracy voter rolls. Critics of same day registration often claim that it increases the potential for voter fraud. However, in the years since the aforementioned states instituted same-day voter registration, there has not been one documented incident of voter fraud as a result of same-day voter registration. Currently, twelve states- California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, and Wyoming- and the District of Columbia offer same-day registration. In 2016, same-day voter registration will be in effect in Maryland and Utah. We believe it is time that Pennsylvania give its qualified electors a convenient option that creates additional access to the ballot while improving voter turnout. Please join us in sponsoring this important legislation. |
Introduced as HB13