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
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...
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...