Share:
Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 27, 2023 12:15 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Lisa M. Boscola |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Election Reform Package |
In the near future I plan to introduce an Election Reform Package to incorporate several recommended updates to our Commonwealth's Election Code, provided by:
While serving on the Election Integrity and Reform Committee we heard from elections officials in Colorado, Utah, and Florida. Their testimony described the need and convenience of secure drop boxes for voters. That is why I am proposing we assist counties with grant funding to supply an adequate number of drop boxes for voters, while also requiring a minimum number of them. It’s important we have a uniform system for drop box access across the Commonwealth. It is an issue my colleagues in the Senate have an interest in, some of their own proposals. Mine will be modeled similarly, taking a county’s population into consideration when determining minimum thresholds. Further on drop boxes, the package will include legislation to update our election code to allow family members, household members, or caregivers to return each other’s completed mail-in ballots to a drop box location. This is done in nearly a dozen other states where mail-in voting is allowed. This is a commonsense update that we should be pursuing. If I can place my husbands mail-in ballot in the mailbox, why can’t I return both of our ballots to a secure drop box? When I talk with friends and neighbors about this, we all agree, it just doesn’t make sense. So, let’s change it! PACKAGE BILLS ON MAIL-IN BALLOTS Additionally, the package addresses four recommendations related to mail-in ballots. One proposal will allow for voters to “cure” discrepancies with a mail-in ballot. If there are questions or issues related to an individual voter’s ballot, they should have the opportunity to correct it, by the closing of election day.
I found it important that we support our election officials access training opportunities related to signature verification. If requirements are levied on them, we must see to it that expert training is afforded to them in that field. Additionally, the package covers recommendations that came from the Election Law Advisory Board’s interim report, advising we make the secrecy envelopes optional for mail-in ballots. During this most recent gubernatorial election, the Department of State reported, more than 8250 Pennsylvania voters were disqualified from having their otherwise lawful mail-in ballot from being counted, due to a missing secrecy envelope. It makes no-sense to the average person. Why should the presence of an inner envelope, or lack thereof, determine whether my right to vote is honored? I will also see to it that the “permanent” mailing list, is renamed the “annual” mailing list for mail-in and absentee voters. This was a recommended updated by the Advisory Board to describe more accurately what the list is intended for; an annual distribution of applications to apply for a mail-in ballot during an upcoming election. It is not a permanent list for mail-in voters, because voters can decide they do not want to use the application and instead vote in-person. This will help clarify some confusion had by voters, who thought they couldn’t vote in-person after subscribing to this list. That said, Act 77 of 2019 was a monumental change to the voting process in Pennsylvania. However, multiple election cycles with increased participation via mail-in voting it has revealed the need for some updates. We have an opportunity to improve on the law and make certain Pennsylvania’s voting system is regarded as the best. I am hopeful we will reopen Act 77 and negotiate to include these recommendations, sooner rather than later. I encourage my colleagues to join me in this effort. |
Document #1
| Description: | Legislation creating a grant program that will provide funds for counties to ensure there are an adequate number of drop boxes for voters. |
|
|---|---|---|
Document #2
| Description: | Legislation providing for a minimum amount of drop boxes that counties must provide for voters. | |
|---|---|---|
Document #3
| Description: | Legislation permitting a member of the same household or a member of your immediate family, or a caretaker to return your completed mail-in ballot to a secure drop box location. | |
|---|---|---|
Document #4
| Description: | Legislation allowing voters to cure mail-in ballot discrepancies, including signatures. | |
|---|---|---|
Document #5
| Description: | Legislation providing election officials with FBI training to enhance signature verification skill. | |
|---|---|---|
Document #6
| Description: | Legislation eliminating the need for a secrecy envelope in mail-in-ballots. | |
|---|---|---|
Document #7
| Description: | Legislation changing the term "permanent" mailing list, to "annual" mailing lists. | |
|---|---|---|