Good afternoon, friends, advocates and voters.

We hope this edition of the New Pennsylvania Project eBlast finds you well.

Please take a few moments to check out all the important news you can use, events happening in your neighborhood, career opportunities, and other updates.

NPP CEO Kadida Kenner is excited to announce the promotion of Connie Santos, a current New Pennsylvania Project staffer. Connie will be filling the role of Regional Organizing Director for the Lehigh Valley & Poconos Region.

In 2017, Connie retired after 26 years of service as a caseworker with the PA Department of Welfare. Since then, she has worked on campaigns throughout Lehigh County, ballot initiatives, and serves as a precinct captain in her community. In addition, she also successfully led the Group Quarters effort for the 2020 Census during the pandemic. Since March 18, 2022 she has logged hundreds of miles walking and knocking doors -- fueled by her passion for voting rights and empowering people.

Meet our entire team: https://www.newpaproject.org/npp-team/ #ExpandTheElectorate #DefendDemocracy.

Pennsylvania House votes to raise the state's minimum wage

(The American Independent)

“Tuesday evening’s vote is the first step towards Pennsylvanians being guaranteed something closer to a living wage by 2026, and permanently indexed to annual inflation thereafter,” Kadida Kenner, the CEO of the New Pennsylvania Project, a progressive voting rights group, said in a statement. “I applaud this long overdue first step towards establishing a living wage in Pennsylvania, but note it is only the first step.”

New Pennsylvania Project Expresses Disappointment in Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action Rejection

(MyChesoCo)

In a released statement, Kadida Kenner, CEO of the New Pennsylvania Project, expresses disappointment in the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision rejecting affirmative action. They remain committed to uplifting historically marginalized communities. The organization emphasizes the importance of electing fair-minded leaders and continues its work in voter registration and civic engagement.

From the article: In 2020, state Supreme Courts played a major role in defending against attacks on voters and democracy, like in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, where the state’s highest courts thwarted attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. But state courts can also issue dangerous decisions that harm our democracy and suppress voters. Since 2020, we’ve seen state Supreme Courts uphold gerrymandered maps and reinstate restrictive voting laws, both of which can disproportionately harm voters of color.

Read the full story here: Despite Small Improvements, State Supreme Courts Remain Unrepresentative

Supreme Court rejects novel legislative theory but leaves a door open for 2024 election challenges

(The Hill)

The U.S. Supreme Court shot down a controversial legal theory that could have changed the way elections are run across the country but left the door open to more limited challenges that could increase its role in deciding voting disputes during the 2024 presidential election.

State Court Rejects GOP Challenge To PA Mail Voting Law

(Philadelphia Inquirer)

The law that created mail voting in Pennsylvania has withstood another Republican legal challenge.

Tens Of Thousands Of PA Mail Ballots Will Be Thrown Out In The 2024 Presidential Election

(Philadelphia Inquirer)

“What we know right now is prohibition does not work. We’ve criminalized a lot of folks. We’re going to start the expungement process on those records. We have a situation where buying cannabis on the streets is dangerous,” Walz said at a signing ceremony Tuesday, adding that adults should be able to make their own decisions “around these types of choices.”

How the Steel City became a vanguard of the progressive movement

(NBC News)

Pittsburgh is becoming known as a powerhouse of progressive politics after progressive candidates notched a string of victories over the city’s more moderate Democratic establishment, NBC News reports. 

Early 2024 Congressional Vulnerability Ratings

(PoliticsPA)

U.S. Reps. Susan Wild, Matt Cartwright and Chris Deluzio are each in districts that could make them vulnerable to a challenge in 2024, while other members of the state’s congressional delegation are also being targeted in upcoming elections, PoliticsPA reports

Pennsylvania lawmakers introduce bipartisan marijuana legalization bill

(ABC27)

State Senators Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) and Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) announced the legislation that they say sets the minimum consumption age and provides “appropriate deterrence to keep marijuana out of the hands of anyone under 21.”

The New Pennsylvania Project is a voting rights organization with a primary focus of registering communities of color and the youth to vote. We are looking for passionate individuals to join our team and help defend democracy by expanding the electorate.

• Regional Organizing Directors (Lancaster/Berks and Bucks/Montgomery)
• Community Engagement Associate
• Quality Control and Data Director
• Part-Time: Education & Engagement Associate (via our c3 organization New PA Project Education Fund)

To learn more about how to apply and review job descriptions with requirements and disclosed salary ranges, please click here.

Thank you for taking the time to stay informed. We'll be back in two weeks with the latest edition.

In solidarity,

#TeamNPP

Municipal/Local/Judicial Election: November 7, 2023
Last day to register to vote: October 23, 2023
Last day to request a mail-in or absentee ballot: October 31, 2023

Help us prepare for the upcoming municipal, judicial, and local elections in 2023!

The New Pennsylvania Project is a 501(c)(4), contributions are not for charitable purposes and are not tax-deductible.

Paid for by the New Pennsylvania Project

 New Pennsylvania Project
PO Box 443
West Chester, PA 19381
United States  

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