Legislation Quick Search
03/28/2024 08:44 PM
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20170&cosponId=24248
Share:
Home / House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

Subscribe to PaLegis Notifications
NEW!

Subscribe to receive notifications of new Co-Sponsorship Memos circulated

By Member | By Date | Keyword Search


House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: June 27, 2017 03:19 PM
From: Representative Duane D. Milne
To: All House members
Subject: Election Reform: Remove Cross-filing from the Election Code
 
I am introducing a three bill package with the unifying element of removing from the
Election Code the provision to allow candidates to cross-file for certain offices. These bills propose to remove this option for the offices of school director, Court of Common Pleas, and Magisterial District Judge, respectively.

The genesis of allowing cross-filing is an interest in making these offices somehow
“less political.” Whatever merit might reside in that end objective, cross-filing is not
the mechanism for doing so. More effective and enlightened ways can be put in place
to accomplish such.

The practice of cross-filing actually can prove anti-democratic, because it undermines
the principles of accountability and transparency about those running for office.
Voters should have the right to know, in straightforward fashion, the party affiliations
of those for whom they are considering casting votes. Cross-filing clouds the ability
to do so. In an environment when these offices already prove challenging to campaign for, this added layer of confusion is not helpful, at a minimum.

Please join me in supporting this voter-friendly legislation.

TY,
- D



Document #1

Description: Cross Filing - School Director Candidates
  View Attachment
 

Document #2

Description: Cross Filing - Common Pleas Court Candidates
  View Attachment
 

Document #3

Description: Cross Filing - Magisterial District Judge Candidates and Philadelphia Municipal and Traffic Court Candidates
  View Attachment