House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016 Regular Session

Posted:	January 15, 2015 11:20 AM
From:	Representative Justin J. Simmons
To:	All House members
Subject:	Cross-filing of School Board Candidates

In the near future, I plan on introducing legislation to remove the ability of candidates for school board to cross-file nomination petitions. Currently, the Pennsylvania Election Code of 1937 allows candidates seeking certain judicial positions and the position of school board member to file nomination petitions for multiple political parties. Historically, school board candidates have been permitted to cross-file because this position has been thought of as non-partisan. However, school board members once in office make very important decisions related to a school district’s budget, and constituents are increasingly viewing this position as a partisan one. Often, voters are confused when a school board candidate receives the nomination of more than one party on the ballot, and eliminating their ability to cross-file could provide some clarity to voters in school board elections. I hope you will consider supporting this legislation by signing on as a co-sponsor. If you have any questions, please contact my Harrisburg office at (717) 783-1673 or email at lnissly@pahousegop.com. Prior HB 1020 Previous Co-sponsors: CHRISTIANA, MUNDY , EVANKOVICH, D. COSTA, MAHONEY , DAVIDSON, MOUL , MILNE , BENNINGHOFF , DeLUCA , ROCK , GABLER, DENLINGER , GROVE, GILLEN, METCALFE , GINGRICH , JAMES, SANKEY, VEREB , KIRKLAND , SWANGER , KRIEGER, DAY, CALTAGIRONE and TOEPEL
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Introduced as HB427