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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | October 12, 2023 09:58 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator John DiSanto |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Run for One |
| Soon I will introduce legislation to prevent candidates from appearing on the ballot for more than one public office during a single election cycle. Candidates who choose to run for, and end up winning, multiple offices at the same time find themselves unable to fully commit to serving both constituencies. This results in one public office being left without its duly elected representation and voice in government. The needless vacancies created by candidates pursuing multiple offices have had a detrimental impact on the governance of our Commonwealth, with legislative bodies almost evenly split along partisan lines, and taxpayers have been burdened with the costs associated with running special elections, which can total hundreds of thousands of dollars in a single state house district. My legislation will permit candidates to file petitions for ballot access for only one public office, with an exception for the Presidency or Vice Presidency. As well, this legislation will still permit individuals seeking public office to simultaneously be on the ballot for state or county political party positions, which are typically volunteer. Our Commonwealth is home to an abundance of highly qualified citizens who can competently fill every position on the ballot without candidates doubling up on multiple offices. Please join me in cosponsoring this legislation, which would reduce the likelihood of expensive special elections and promote continuity in governance. |