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
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...
Fontana Bill Would Make Pennsylvania a Mail-in Ballot State
Pittsburgh, December 4, 2020 – Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) today said he will reintroduce a bill that would change Pennsylvania’s voting system so that elections are conducted entirely by mail. “With the pandemic menacing the 2020 elections, I was pleased to see...
Statement: Senator Steve Santarsiero Responds to Senate Republican Policy Hearing on 2020 Election
BUCKS COUNTY – November 25, 2020– The following statement is attributable to Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) in response to the Senate Republican Policy Committee Hearing on November 25, 2020: “Today, Pennsylvania Senate Republicans will hold a hearing into...
PA Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa statement on the Senate Republican Policy Hearing featuring Rudy Giuliani and President Trump
Pittsburgh, PA − November 25, 2020 − PA Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa released the following statement on the Senate Republican Policy Hearing featuring Rudy Giuliani and President Trump: “If Senate Republicans want to entertain conspiracy theories from Rudy...
Senator Santarsiero Defends Integrity of Pennsylvania Elections, Calls for Unity
HARRISBURG – November 13, 2020 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) called on all elected officials – Democrats and Republicans alike – to reject publicly the claim that there was fraud in the process leading up to the November 3rd election and in the...
Sen. Costa responds to partisan calls for election review
Harrisburg, PA − November 12, 2020 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. released the following statement regarding the partisan calls for election review done by the General Assembly: There has been no evidence of fraud and there's no reason for this additional...
Philly Black Clergy Joins Senator Street & State/City Leaders for GOTV Event Amid Voter Suppression
Philadelphia, PA – September 15, 2020 – Today Senator Sharif Street joined members of the Philadelphia Black Clergy and state and local leaders to emphasize the importance of free and open elections amid COVID-19 as the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is poised to rule on...
Senator Santarsiero Announces Elcon Will Not Pursue Hazardous Wastewater Processing Facility in Falls Township
BUCKS COUNTY – July 24, 2020 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced today that Elcon Recycling Services will be withdrawing its applications for a proposed hazardous wastewater processing facility in Falls Township, ending a years-long fight in the...
Boscola Brings Redistricting Reform Proposal Before PA Senate
Bethlehem, July 16, 2020 - - Yesterday, State Senator Lisa Boscola attempted one final time to put the issue of the creation of an independent commission for legislative redistricting before the voters of Pennsylvania by offering an amendment to Senate Bill 1166,...
Leach Issues Statement on Mail-In Ballot Complications
HARRISBURG – May 29, 2020 − State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) today issued the following statement regarding concerns surrounding mail-in ballots. Leach’s statement: “This coming Tuesday, June 2nd, we are going to be conducting the 2020 primary...
Senator Haywood Calls for 7 Day Extension to Count Vote-By-Mail Primary Ballots
Harrisburg – May 27, 2020 – Sen. Art Haywood (Philadelphia/Montgomery) today called for a seven-day extension to count potentially 1.6 million mail-in ballots that have been sent in for the June 2, 2020, primary election. Under current law, mail-in ballots will only...
Senator Santarsiero Holds Press Conference on Lower Makefield Township Ballot Referendum
LOWER MAKEFIELD — January 17, 2020 — State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) was joined by state Representative Perry Warren (D-31) and Jim McCaffrey, of McCaffrey Food Markets, today at DeLorenzo’s Tomato Pies in Yardley, Pennsylvania for a press conference on...
Schwank Applauds Senate Vote to Expand Absentee Voting Rights
Harrisburg, October 30, 2019 – All Pennsylvania voters would be able to vote by mail under legislation approved Monday by the Pennsylvania Senate. The bill includes language proposed by Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district), who has been a leading advocate for...
Senate Approves Major Boscola Voting Reform Bill that Includes No Excuse Mail-in Option
Harrisburg, PA − October 29, 2019 − The state Senate today voted 35 to 14 in favor of a Senator Lisa Boscola’s bill (Senate Bill 421) that modernizes Pennsylvania’s antiquated voting laws and provides greater access for voters. The omnibus bill, which Boscola...
Senator Costa to Introduce Legislation Reforming Campaign Finance, Improving Transparency
Harrisburg, Pa. − October 25, 2019 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today circulated a memo to his colleagues in the Senate seeking cosponsors on legislation that would reform Pennsylvania’s campaign finance laws and ensure better transparency and...
OP-ED: It’s Time for Nonpartisan Municipal Elections
Op-ed by Anthony H. Williams and David Thornburgh
In Philadelphia, 23% or nearly a quarter-million voters effectively don’t get a say in who becomes mayor, represents them on city council or runs the District Attorney’s office. Despite standing in line to cast ballots and informing themselves on candidate positions, these citizens are locked out of the process simply because they’ve not registered to vote as a Democrat. But what if when you went into a voting booth, there were no party labels – no Democrat, no Republican, no Green – but only names? For voters in 85% of America’s cities and towns, that’s the reality – and Philadelphia should join them.
Senate Democrats Applaud Wolf’s Swift Action to Fund Voting Security Upgrades
HARRISBURG– July 9, 2019 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today applauded the swift action by Gov. Tom Wolf and his administration to fund essential county voting security upgrades via the issuance of up to $90 million in bonds. The bond funding...
Senate Approves Boscola’s Bill to Eliminate Straight Party Voting
HARRISBURG - June 25, 2019 --- The state Senate today voted 30 to 20 in favor of Sen. Lisa Boscola’s Senate bill 421, which would do away with straight party voting. “Straight-ticket voting promotes the election of a party, not the election of a candidate,” Boscola...
Two Boscola Voting Reform Initiatives Clear Senate Committee
HARRISBURG - June 18, 2019 --- The state Senate State Government Committee today unanimously approved Sen. Lisa Boscola’s senate bill 421, which would do away with straight party voting. The bill will now move on to the full Senate. “Informed and committed...
Senate, House Members Unveil Election Reform Proposals
HARRISBURG - June 4, 2019 - State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) and Rep. Sara Innamorato (D-Pittsburgh) led House and Senate Democrats in announcing several voting reform proposals Tuesday in the Main Capitol Rotunda. The legislators were...