Share:
Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 21, 2020 11:16 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Jake Corman |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Bipartisan Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform |
| In the near future, I plan to introduce a Senate Resolution that will establish a bipartisan Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform, pursuant to Rule 5(a)(2) of our Senate Rules, and Section 640(1) of Mason’s Manual of Legislative Procedure. The Special Committee will focus on the review of all aspects of the 2020 General Election, including: the security of the vote before, during and after Election Day; the accuracy and security of the election process, particularly during the pre-canvassing and canvassing stages; the uniformity of the election processes across the Commonwealth; the impact and role of our judiciary on the election process; the impact and role of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in issuing interpretations, guidance and instructions regarding the election process and the conduct of the election as a whole; and other election related issues that may come before the Committee. Specifically, this Special Committee will be comprised of four Senate Republican members and four Senate Democrat members, with the President Pro Tempore serving as an ex-officio member. Special Committee members will be appointed by the President Pro Tempore, in consultation with the Senate Minority Leader. To date, we have heard from thousands of constituents who have shared with us their concerns regarding the 2020 General Election. Many of the issues they’ve conveyed through phone calls, e-mail messages and written correspondence include the security of mail-in ballots and the process of counting votes; all of which I believe are very legitimate and credible issues that need to be resolved. Our constituents deserve to learn more so that we all may again have complete confidence in our election process and results. I recognize that a number of my colleagues have circulated co-sponsorship memos with the intent to introduce legislation relevant to a variety of these issues; and I assure you we will work through those issues during this process. The Special Committee is anticipated to produce a report that will be presented to the General Assembly and standing committee(s) and will cover areas of legislative recommendations, as directed in the Senate Resolution establishing the Special Committee. We must act now to ensure integrity is restored to voting through this bipartisan effort. Please join me in co-sponsoring this Senate Resolution to help bring much-needed improvements to our election process in Pennsylvania. |