Election Access & Reform
The integrity of our entire system of government depends on the integrity of our elections. The process for electing our public officials has to be fair, accessible and dependable. No matter where you live or what party you’re registered with, you should have unbridled access to the ballot box.
Secure voting rights.
Secure voting rights for all by cracking down on voter intimidation and onerous Voter ID laws.
Make it easier to register to vote.
Make it easier to register to vote. Online registration was a huge step forward, and we can make it even more accessible by allowing same-day registration.
Proposed Legislation:
Automatic Voter Registration →
Same Day Registration →
Lowering the Voting Age →
Allow people to vote absentee without an excuse.
Allow people to vote absentee without an excuse. The list of acceptable “excuses” for voting absentee is too restrictive and discourages people from taking advantage of this legal way to vote.
Proposed Legislation:
Early and Absentee Voting →
Early Voting →
Campaign finance reform.
Campaign finance reform. The Citizen’s United decision from the federal Supreme Court was an abomination that has allowed corporations to have more of a voice in our democracy than its people. Reforms to campaign finance in our state are necessary to make people matter more than campaign contributions in an election.
Redistricting reform.
Redistricting reform. Government works for the people when it’s representative of those people. Gerrymandered districts do not allow for that representation, and we have to change our process of drawing our maps.
Our Members at Work
Sen. Haywood Announces Legislation to Disqualify Insurrectionists from Pennsylvania Ballots
Harrisburg, Pa. – October 12, 2022 – Today, State Sen. Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) joined Free Speech For People President John Bonifaz to announce legislation that requires the secretary of the Commonwealth to disqualify any candidate who has taken...
Schwank Calls on County Commissioners to Convene Panel to Improve Elections
Reading — August 8, 2022 — Today, Sen. Judy Schwank sent a letter to the Berks County Commissioners requesting they convene a panel to remedy the election issues outlined in a report made public last Thursday in preparation for the 2022 general election. The letter is...
Sen. Hughes Issues Statement Regarding State Supreme Court Act 77 Ruling
HARRISBURG, PA – August 2, 2022 – In response to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania’s 5-2 ruling Tuesday upholding the state’s mail-in voting law as constitutional, State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) issued the following statement: “I am pleased...
Senate Democrats File Application for Relief to Pause Overreaching Senate Republican Actions Until Court Issues Ruling on Lawsuit
Harrisburg – September 23, 2021 – State Senate Democrats issued the following statement announcing the filing of an application for relief in Commonwealth Court in response to the Senate Republican subpoena of the Department of State, including the request of...
Senator Costa Responds to Republican Efforts to Undermine Voter Security & Confidence on CNN
Senator Kearney Issues Statement Opposing PA GOP’s Election Investigation & Subpoena Requests
SPRINGFIELD, PA – September 16, 2021 – As a public official entrusted with protecting your voice and your vote, I do not support the PA GOP’s most recent election inquiry or subpoenas that provide access to and put at risk Pennsylvania voters’ private information,...
Senate Democrats to Take Legal Action Against Overreaching Republican Subpoena and Corrupt Election Investigation
Harrisburg – September 15, 2021 – Following today’s Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee hearing, of which had one agenda item- Consideration of a motion to authorize the issuance of subpoenas- Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Democratic Chair of the Intergovernmental Operations Committee, Anthony H. Williams, and committee members Vincent J. Hughes and Steve Santarsiero held a press conference to discuss legal action they will take to challenge Republican members’ call for confidential data from the Department of State, including a complete list containing the names, dates of birth, driver’s license numbers, and last four digits of social security numbers of all registered voters within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as of May 1, 2021.
Senator Jay Costa Issues Statement on PA Election Investigation and Unlawful Subpoenas
Harrisburg, PA − September 10, 2021 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa today issued the following statement in response to President Pro Tempore’s Jake Corman’s announcement on 2020 election investigation: "Senate Democrats stand for protecting an individual’s right...
Senate Dem Members of Intergovernmental Operations Committee Question Why Senate Republicans are Misusing Committees & State Resources
Harrisburg – September 9, 2021 – The Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee held a hearing today to allegedly examine the PA Department of State's evolving guidance to counties during the monumental 2020 general election. Testimony today from the Chairman of...
Intergovernmental Operations Committee Hearing on PA Department of State’s Last Minute Guidance to the 2020 Election
Senate Dem Members Of Intergovernmental Operations Committee Presser On Defending Voting Freedoms
With a Just Cause and Clear Vision, Street Joins Biden to Defend Democracy
Philadelphia, PA − July 13, 2021 − On Tuesday, July 13th Senator Sharif Street was among guests invited to join President Biden at the National Constitution Center to defend the right to vote. Senator Street offered the following statement on President Biden’s visit:...
Senators Costa and Williams Respond to Mastriano Attempted Audit
Harrisburg, PA − July 7, 2021 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa and Senate Democratic Whip Anthony H. Williams sent the following letter to Republican Leadership in response to Senator Mastriano's latest attempt to audit the results of the 2020 election:...
Senate Republicans refuse to consider campaign finance amendments to HB1300
Harrisburg, Pa. − June 25, 2021 − Today on the PA Senate floor, Senate Republicans refused to consider a campaign finance amendment offered by Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa. He introduced the amendment to House Bill 1300, a piece of legislation that Republicans...
Senator Collett Reacts to Legislative Attack on Voting Rights
Harrisburg, Pa. – June 25, 2021 – Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks, Democratic Caucus Secretary) voted ‘No’ today on House Bill 1300, an ill-conceived and poorly drafted bill that would inject new, expensive, untested technologies into our election...
Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform :: April 20, 2021
Public hearing on insight on the Administration of Elections in Philadelphia and Allegheny Counties
Senator Santarsiero to Introduce Legislation to Expand Ballot Drop Box Access
BUCKS COUNTY – April 6, 2021 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced today that he will be introducing legislation to make voting easier for Pennsylvanians. The legislation, called the Safe Drop Act, requires counties provide a minimum of one...
Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform :: March 23, 2021
Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform :: March 15, 2021
Senate Republicans Reject Efforts to Make the PA Senate More Effective and Transparent
Harrisburg, Pa. − January 5, 2021 − Today, Senate Republicans rejected efforts by Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny), Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester, Montgomery, Berks), and the Democratic caucus to reform the Senate operating rules and procedures in ways...