House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session

Posted:	January 30, 2013 02:55 PM
From:	Representative John Taylor and Rep. Brendan F. Boyle
To:	All House members
Subject:	Cosponsorship of Legislation: Permit Independent Electors to Vote in Primaries

In the near future, we plan on introducing legislation that would permit independent electors to vote the ballot of one political party of the independent elector’s choice during a primary election. Specifically, our legislation would permit independent electors to sign an affidavit declaring that he or she is not enrolled in a political party. After he or she signs the affidavit and the election official confirms the elector is not enrolled in a political party, the elector may choose to vote on the ballot of one political party. Our legislation would permit independent electors to vote the ballot of one political party by absentee ballot as well. Voters choose to not enroll in a party for many reasons, but this decision should not prevent them from participating in the nomination process for candidates. Additionally, the primary election is almost tantamount to the general election in many races across the Commonwealth. If independents are prohibited from participating in the primary process, then they are essentially disenfranchised from participating in the electoral process. Independent voters comprise a growing and significant portion of Pennsylvania’s registered voters, and our legislation would simply permit these voters to have their voices heard in the Commonwealth’s primaries. If you would like to cosponsor this legislation, please contact Josh Lance at 717-787-3179, or via e-mail at jlance@pahousegop.com.
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Introduced as HB795