Posted: | January 23, 2021 08:19 PM |
---|---|
From: | Senator Scott E. Hutchinson |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Covid Nomination Petition Signature Reduction |
In the near future I plan to introduce legislation to allow for a reduced petition signature requirement for the 2021 calendar year. The Covid-19 pandemic has affected every aspect of our lives, and as time goes on we discover new ways we are impacted. With the nomination petition circulation period approaching, concerns are beginning to arise in regards to that process. Normally, a potential candidate would do things like go door to door or go to large gatherings to try and accumulate signatures. In today’s climate these things seem unlikely or unwise, making collecting enough signatures increasingly difficult. My legislation would reduce the number of signatures required for nomination petitions for any county, city, borough, township, ward, or school district office to be elected in 2021 to a number not less than 25% of the number required in Section 912.1, or 5, whichever is higher. This legislation would then sunset at the end of 2021. Hopefully this will allow those who wish to participate in public office to still meet petition requirements in spite of the challenges Covid presents. Please join me in sponsoring this important legislation. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Nathan Akers in my office at nakers@pasen.gov or 717-787-9684. |
Introduced as SB136