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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | April 5, 2021 09:21 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Steven J. Santarsiero |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | The Safe Drop Act |
| With Act 77’s creation of no-fault absentee voting, the number of people voting by mail increased exponentially in 2020. As it did, the postal system was overwhelmed. In response, many counties established drop boxes where voters could deposit their ballots without the need to use the mail. As it has in other states, that system proved very successful. It is likely that voting by mail will increase in popularity in the future. In light of that fact, it would make sense for counties to expand the use of drop boxes as a convenience to voters and a way of making sure that ballots are received in a timely manner and, as a result, counted. But there is currently no requirement that counties provide drop boxes in Pennsylvania. That should change. That is why in the near future, I will be introducing the Safe Drop Act. Under the Safe Drop Act, counties would be required to provide a minimum of one drop box for every 20,000 residents. Moreover, the drop boxes would have to be available to voters 24 hours a day, seven days a week from the beginning of mail in balloting until the polls close at 8:00 pm on Election Day. When we make it easier to vote, more people do so. When more people vote, our democracy gets stronger. Please join me in sponsoring this important step in strengthening our democracy. |