Tell lawmakers to pass legislation to authorize no-excuse absentee voting.
The call to action is to urge the Pennsylvania state legislature to enact legislation that would authorize no-excuse absentee voting (also referred to as “optional vote by mail”). As one of only nine states without any modern election reforms, voting in Pennsylvania remains unusually and unnecessarily difficult. The current system only permits Pennsylvanians to vote absentee under limited circumstances. Giving voters the option to vote by mail is a simple, common-sense reform that will make voting more convenient and will offer greater flexibility to individuals with demanding work schedules, family member care responsibilities, or other life circumstances that can limit their ability to make it to the polls on Election Day.
The expectation is that a bill that would overhaul the election code and allow for optional vote by mail will be introduced in the state Senate mid-to-late fall, and will garner bipartisan support in the legislature, mirroring the broad, diverse support this issue enjoys among Pennsylvania voters. In 30 states and the District of Columbia, all voters can request and submit absentee ballots without providing an excuse. It’s time for Pennsylvania to join the list!
Download the full plan for the "Let People Vote" campaign in Pennsylvania for more information and talking points.
