Hi John,

Welcome to the latest New Pennsylvania Project newsletter! In this edition, you'll find critical election news, updates on upcoming and recent events, and exciting career opportunities. We’re here to keep you informed about our progress in breaking down voting barriers, key election updates, and the initiatives shaping Pennsylvania's future.

We also address how unfair the proposed Pennsylvania budget is and how it threatens to direct funding away from our communities so the rich can get richer. This budget and the headlines in the news are a reminder of why we must continue our efforts at all levels—on the streets and in the courts—to protect our rights and our communities. Freedom and liberation are projects in progress, not a destination we have reached.

As we gear up for the 2024 general election, we invite you to join us in our mission to educate and mobilize voters who then vote every election to make change in our communities.

Stay informed with essential election resources and dates as we approach the 2024 General Election on November 5th. Remember, your voice matters, and we’re here to provide the information and resources needed to shape Pennsylvania’s future.

Thank you for staying informed and engaged! Together change is possible.  
Happy Pride Month!

At NPP, we stand strong with the LGBTQIA+ community and all impacted communities in the ongoing fight for equality and civil rights.

Voting is a critical weapon in this fight, and we're here to ensure every voice is heard and every right is protected.

This month, as we celebrate both Pride and Juneteenth, we recognize the importance of activism, hard work, and relentless advocacy in protecting our communities. We will be present at many events engaging in crucial conversations about securing the rights of everyone in our community.

Let’s continue to build a democracy that represents and protects all of us. Love is Love. Celebrate, register, and vote. 
Exciting News! NPP is growing in Western Pennsylvania!

In addition to our ongoing efforts in Allegheny County, we are thrilled to announce our new presence in Beaver, Lawrence, and Erie counties.

We are committed to educating and engaging voters, building power, and supporting change in impacted communities. Our mission is to ensure every voice is heard and every vote counts. Together, we can make a difference and create a more inclusive and representative democracy.

Join us in this journey as we work to empower voters and bring about lasting change in Western PA! 
On June 3rd, PA House Speaker Joanna McClinton introduced a bill (H.B. 2369) to allow two weeks of early in-person voting on machines and to authorize same-day voter registration. More than 70 lawmakers co-sponsored her bill, which has been referred to a House Committee.

This is a significant step forward in making voting more accessible for all Pennsylvanians. Early in-person voting would help reduce wait times at polls and give more options for those with work or family obligations on election day. Same-day voter registration would allow voters to register and vote on election day, improving access and ensuring all voices are heard.

Let’s make sure every PA voter can freely and easily access the polls to have their voices heard and their votes count.Here is the press release ([link removed]
If you missed the May 31st appearance of our CEO Kadida Kenner on the Roland Martin Unfiltered show you can view it now on Youtube.

Kadida and Roland discussed voting rights and the upcoming election and how we can boost Black voter turnout and protect our rights at the polls. You can find the recording here (Direct Video ([link removed] ([link removed] Tune in for more news or future NPP appearances atBlack Star Network ([link removed] ([link removed] Here
We're Hiring! Join the New Pennsylvania Project (NPP) and be a part of our mission to empower impacted, Black and other communities of color across PA. Help us support every eligible voter to feel compelled to vote.

Your work will make a direct impact on civil rights, fair education funding, economic justice, and environmental stewardship. 
June 14-16: Pgh Juneteenth Celebration @ Point State Park
June 15: Mt Lebo Pride @ Mt Lebanon Main Park, 9a-4p
June 15: Lawrenceville Pride @ Bay 41, 12pm
June 16: Queer Craft Market @ 801 N Negley Ave ([link removed] 5pm
June 16: Carnegie Library Book Sale @ CLP Oakland, 10a-4p 
On June 11th, the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Philadelphia Chapter hosted a an important webinar, Advocacy 101: Adding Our Voice to the Conversation Virtual. The event featured our very own New Pennsylvania Project Chief Executive Officer, Kadida Kenner.

The training provided an overview of the legislative process and ways to get involved by participating in public hearings, reaching out to legislators, using media and other advocacy strategies. Watch it here ([link removed]
A Pennsylvania court affirmed the dismissal of a 2022 right-wing lawsuit that tried to decertify Lycoming County’s 2020 election results.
Last week, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania tossed out a lawsuit brought by two members of the Lycoming County Patriots who challenged the results of the county’s 2020 general election more than two years after it took place, Democracy Docket reports ([link removed]

Pennsylvania Lancaster County Incompletely Dated Mail-in Ballots Challenge
Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans (PARA), a non-profit group, sued Lancaster County for rejecting mail-in ballots where voters forgot to write the last two digits of the current year on the outer envelope, Democracy Docket reports ([link removed]

Judge Allows RNC and Pennsylvania Republicans to Defend Law Disqualifying Undated and Misdated Mail-in Ballots
A Pennsylvania court allowed the Republican National Committee (RNC) and Pennsylvania Republican to intervene in a lawsuit challenging the state’s law that does not allow misdated or undated mail-in ballots to be counted, Democracy Docket reports. ([link removed]


4,400 Mail Ballots Were Rejected in PA in April’s Primary
In April’s primary election, over 4,400 mail ballots were rejected because they lacked a date or had an incorrect date on their return envelopes. This issue could worsen in November with higher voter turnout because currently county election officials reject mail ballots with incorrect or missing dates, WPSU reports. ([link removed]
1 in 10 eligible U.S. voters say they can’t easily show proof of their citizenship
Top Republicans are lining up behind a proposal to require proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration in federal elections. But for millions of U.S. citizens, it’s not easy to prove their citizenship with a document, NPR reports ([link removed]



Jay-Z’s Support of the Voucher Bill Draws Pushback online. He is on the Wrong side of this issue.
“The AFT Pennsylvania teachers union said on the social platform X: ‘This ain’t it,’ over a photo of Jay-Z and Jeffrey Yass, a billionaire who is the biggest donor to Republican campaigns in Pennsylvania. Yass’s top issue in the state is school choice. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a first-term Democrat, supported a Republican-backed proposal last year to send $100 million to families for private school tuition and school supplies. Shapiro later backed down in the face of House Democratic opposition.” Read more in AP News. ([link removed]


Pa. House takes first step to make fair education funding plan into law
Pennsylvania school districts would save more than $500 million a year under a proposal to set a statewide tuition rate for cyber charter schools that’s part of state House Democrats’ education plan, Penn Capital-Star reports. ([link removed]


PA House Democrats pass historic education funding bill
“This bill reflects a historic moment for public education in Pennsylvania. The state representatives who have crafted it are true leaders in the fight to fix our unconstitutionally broken public school funding system,” Pennsylvania State Education Association President Aaron Chapin said in a statement.Read more in Keystone Newsroom. ([link removed]


Black leaders, state legislators rally in Harrisburg to pass CROWN Act
Pennsylvania House Democrats joined leaders in the Black community last Tuesday to call on the Senate to advance the CROWN Act and ban discrimination on how hair is worn by people, especially women, of color, The Philadelphia Tribune reports. ([link removed]

Gun control measures advance out of Democratic-controlled Pennsylvania House committee
Democrats in majority control of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives advanced several gun control measures Wednesday, including one that would ban sales of automatic and semi-automatic guns, after years of standstill in the politically divided state government, The Keystone Newsroom reports. ([link removed]


Senate Republicans vote against making contraception a federal right
The Senate voted to block a bill to create a federal right to contraception access after many Republicans said they opposed the legislation as unnecessary and government overreach, The Washington Post reports ([link removed]

Election officials, retired lawmakers plead for more money to protect voting
Election security should not be a partisan issue. The US House is reviewing a bill this week as a bipartisan group of election officials urges them to secure more funding before the 2024 presidential campaign heats up, Roll Call reports. ([link removed]

Biden’s support among young, Black and Hispanic voters ebbs over economy, Gaza war
Black and Latino voters and those 35 and younger were instrumental in electing President Joe Biden four years ago. Increasingly, though, polls show that the support the president once enjoyed among these voting blocs has not only eroded, it continues to diminish over issues a world away, like the war in Gaza and at home with the high cost of living, Penn Live reports. ([link removed]

The Sad History of Pennsylvania's Inability To Pass a Budget
In the past 20 years, Pennsylvania has only passed seven budgets on time. This means state leaders fail to complete their essential task 65% of the time, Trib Live reports. ([link removed]

Voting access is the cornerstone of democracy
Although Pennsylvania is not the most stringent state in regards to restricting voting access, the birthplace of American democracy has lagged behind many states – including North Carolina and Georgia – in ensuring access to the ballot. Read the full releasehere ([link removed]

6 state legislatures where partisan balance is on the line in November
Greater attention is turning toward state legislatures as they become the focal point for debates over abortion access, immigration, redistricting and gun control. Democrats and Republicans alike see opportunities to shift the balance of partisan control in one or both chambers among a handful of state legislatures this fall, including Pennsylvania,The Hill reports ([link removed]
 
General Election: November 5, 2024
Last day to register to vote: October 21, 2024
Last day to request mail-in ballot: October 29, 2024

Important Links:
PA Department of State Website ([link removed]
Return Your Ballot ([link removed]
Track Your Ballot ([link removed]
Find Your Polling Place ([link removed]

Voter Hotlines:

Voter Protection Hotline: 1-866-OUR-VOTE
DOS PA Voter Hotline: 1-877-VOTESPA
Spanish/English Hotline: 1-866-VE-Y-VOTA
Asian Languages Hotline: 1-888-API-VOTE
Arabic/English Hotline: 1-844-YALLA-US
Our Contact Information
New Pennsylvania Project
P.O. Box 443
West Chester, PA 19381
4126996771
[link removed] ([link removed]

Unsubscribe ([link removed] | Manage email preferences ([link removed]