The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for February 10, 2023

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Spotlight PA – Advocates, lawmakers hope Pa. House power shift opens door for election law changes
Democracy Docket – Pennsylvania Republicans Introduce Proof of ID to Vote Amendment
Democracy Docket – Pennsylvania Undated and Wrongly Dated Mail-in Ballots Challenge (PA NAACP)
WESA – Pa. counties want to count mail-in ballots early. State lawmakers have yet to agree.
PA General Assembly – SB 1 Voter ID
PA General Assembly –SB 292 from Sen. Doug Mastriano
PA Dept. of State – Pennsylvania’s Election Stats

Groups Taking Action:
New Pennsylvania Project, PA STATE CONFERENCE OF THE NAACP, ACLU PA, Black Empowerment Project, League of Women Voters PA, Make the Road PA

Today’s Script:  (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

Yesterday, we updated you on the fight over rejected mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania.  In November, a slim majority of voters spurned election fraud conspiracy theorists and those trying to keep those ballots from counting.  What does that mean for upcoming state legislation?

In November, Democrats regained the Governor’s office and the Pennsylvania House.  The Senate remains in Republican hands by a 28-22 majority, making passing pro-voter legislation challenging in the Senate, and passing anti-voter legislation difficult in the House.  One senator intends to file a bill removing the date requirement from those mail-in ballots.  

In December, Spotlight Pennsylvania reported compromise could take place in a few areas.  Republicans want to strengthen the state’s voter ID law, and have filed Senate Bill 1, requiring a government-issued ID to vote, either in person or by mail.  Although the bill provides a state ID at no charge for any eligible voters,  it passed the Senate in January with no Democratic support.

Bipartisan compromise could also allow more time for the processing of mail-in ballots, or “pre-canvassing,” aiding election workers in counting mail-in ballots and speeding results.  Paired with last year’s court decision allowing the “curing” of ballots lacking dates or signatures, it could help thousands of votes count.   It’s not all good.  Another bill, SB 292, proposes to do away with Pennsylvania’s mail-in voting altogether.

Find more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.