Speaker of the House McClinton’s bill (HB 1396) passed through the State House on Tuesday, May 12th, along party lines, 102-101. We applaud the members of the House in passing this bill that represents much needed modernization efforts.
Democrats in Harrisburg recently introduced this landmark voting rights bill, HB 1396, or the Voting Rights Protection Act, sponsored by House Speaker Joanna McClinton. “House Bill 1396 responds to the needs of our most essential election stakeholders and would make all of our elections free, fair, efficient, uniform, safe and secure,” said McClinton.
HB 1396 represents a promising approach to election modernization that maintains security while expanding access.
The legislation would improve the administration of the state’s elections while strengthening ballot access for Pennsylvania’s eligible voters. This legislation is designed to encourage public participation in our elections by reducing barriers that keep people from casting their ballots.
With proper coordination and implementation planning, this legislation could meaningfully improve Pennsylvania's election system in three key ways:
Expand access to the ballot box through machine-based early voting
Crucial updates like electronic poll books and recount reform to modernize and secure our elections
Standardized ballot drop box requirements
Practical improvements to mail ballot procedures
Mandatory mail ballot cure procedures, and
Pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds
blend-
This week U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor delivered a stern message to the legal profession: stand up for democracy, take on the hard fights and do whatever you can to win: “Our job is to stand up for people who can’t do it themselves. Our job is to be the champion of lost causes....With all the uncertainty that exists at this moment, this is our time to stand up and be heard.”
This echos a past message from the Congressional Black Caucus: “Be creative. Be relentless. Be unapologetic in your commitment to do whatever it takes to ensure that every American has their vote counted no matter how they look or where they live. No lawsuit is too trivial when it comes to the voting rights of citizens.”
Support for the aggressive pro-democracy movement is so important at this critical time. The messages from the representatives in PA House, Justice Sotomayor, and the Congressional Black Caucus highlight why we must pay attention and take action.
The best way to make your voice heard is to vote. Voters in Pennsylvania vote twice a year, every year. This Tuesday, May 20th, is Election Day! Make a plan to be there and cast your ballot.
In the News this week:
This week signified the 40th anniversary of the MOVE bombing, and an official day of remembrance and reflection for its victims. Take time to remember and reflect, the Inquirer has archival coverage of the horrific event or listen to the latest episode of the podcast series “MOVE: Untangling the Tragedy.”
Democrats Were Prepared to Pass New Voter ID Requirements in Pennsylvania. Then Republicans Hit the Brakes. “The stalled vote on a voter ID bill, which was paired with a sweeping bill reforming the state election code, was intended to break a years-long stalemate on election policy in the General Assembly.”
House Panel Votes to Repeal Closed Primaries in PA. “A week before the 2025 Pennsylvania municipal primary election, the House State Government Committee advanced a bill that would permit independents to vote in what have been closed primaries in the Commonwealth.”
A Trump-appointed judge in Pennsylvania became the first to uphold Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act, though the judge said the amount of notice the Trump administration is giving to the people targeted by the AEA is “constitutionally deficient.” The ACLU plans to appeal the ruling.
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Thursday that the totality of circumstances must be considered when determining whether a police shooting is justified — not just the split seconds before an officer opens fire. The broader standard is likely to make it easier for victims to prove allegations of excessive force in court.
Action YOU Can Take:
Justice Department leaders “have removed all of the senior civil servants working as managers in the department’s voting section and directed attorneys to dismiss all active cases, part of a broader attack on the department’s civil rights division.”
The department itself was founded in large measure to protect the voting rights of Black formerly enslaved people after the Civil War, and the Civil Rights Division is considered a crown jewel. Now those efforts are at risk.
-- was there another paragraph here -- it might have got displaced -- if not blend or cut
If the SAVE Act is defeated — if, in fact, it never comes to a vote — let’s not just move on. This would be a signal victory.
History doesn’t repeat, but it rhymes. The fight to vote has been a defining struggle throughout American history. Always, people have had to press to get or keep access to our democracy, and just as consistently, some have tried to shrink the circle.
It is now headed to the Senate.
Senator Fetterman and McCormick have both sent responses to constituents on their current stance on the SAVE act bill. The responses can be found below.
Fetterman’s letter: Fetterman Letter.jpeg
McCormick’s letter: McCormick Letter.jpeg
This bill is a form of voter suppression. If it becomes law, this bill will disenfranchise millions of eligible voters, especially immigrants, Black and brown communities, married people, and young people.
Democracy works when everyone has access to the ballot. Let’s protect that.
Calling your U.S. Senators only takes a few minutes, but can have a huge impact!
You can do your part by calling our U.S. Senators and asking them to protect our voting rights by voting NO on this bill, You can even use this script.
