groverblue
01-30-2014, 10:23 PM
NOTE: If SB 195 passes, it would be the first of it's kind in the US, and will have a ripple effect throughout the nation. In order to make this happen, we need help from liberty activists to contact their PA state senator and encourage them to co-sponsor the bill.
Senate Bill 195, better known as the Voters’ Choice Act, was introduced by Senator Mike Folmer of Lebanon. While falling short of being a cure for all that is wrong with ballot access issues in Pennsylvania the legislation would constitute a significant step to making elections in the state free and equal, as mandated by no less than Article 1, Section 5, of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The act is endorsed by Pennsylvania’s Ballot Access Coalition and enjoys bipartisan support.
Specifically, the VCA aims to extend to independents, the fastest growing electorate in Pennsylvania, and third party candidates the same criteria needed to be placed on the ballot as Republican and Democratic. Currently there exists a large disparity in the number of nomination signatures needed for independents to get on the ballot compared to the quantity needed by members of the Republican and Democratic Parties. The challenge period — the span of time following the submission of nomination petitions during which they may be contested — is also more onerous for independents. Successfully defending against such a challenge often delays an official entry onto the November ballot until late into the election cycle, thus diminishing the impact on the electoral process by independent and third party office-seekers.
Free and Equal elections: Not so important to State Government Committee (http://wilkesbarrescrantonig.com/2014/01/30/free-equal-elections-important-state-government-committee/)
Senate Bill 195, better known as the Voters’ Choice Act, was introduced by Senator Mike Folmer of Lebanon. While falling short of being a cure for all that is wrong with ballot access issues in Pennsylvania the legislation would constitute a significant step to making elections in the state free and equal, as mandated by no less than Article 1, Section 5, of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The act is endorsed by Pennsylvania’s Ballot Access Coalition and enjoys bipartisan support.
Specifically, the VCA aims to extend to independents, the fastest growing electorate in Pennsylvania, and third party candidates the same criteria needed to be placed on the ballot as Republican and Democratic. Currently there exists a large disparity in the number of nomination signatures needed for independents to get on the ballot compared to the quantity needed by members of the Republican and Democratic Parties. The challenge period — the span of time following the submission of nomination petitions during which they may be contested — is also more onerous for independents. Successfully defending against such a challenge often delays an official entry onto the November ballot until late into the election cycle, thus diminishing the impact on the electoral process by independent and third party office-seekers.
Free and Equal elections: Not so important to State Government Committee (http://wilkesbarrescrantonig.com/2014/01/30/free-equal-elections-important-state-government-committee/)