Fellow activist, we have some good news to share for a change!
This week, the House Speaker Joanna McClinton’s bill (HB 1396) – the Voting Rights Protection Act – passed through the State House, along party lines, 102-101. We applaud the members of the House for passing this bill that represents much-needed modernization efforts. As McClinton stated, “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.”
Under the false pretext of preventing election fraud, some political actors have sought to potentially disenfranchise millions of Americans across not only Pennsylvania but the nation, particularly women, people of color, and low-income families. Trump issued an executive order trying to roll back voting rights, while Republicans in Congress are rewriting the rules with the passage of the SAVE Act to dismantle longstanding voter protections.
Given these efforts, it is encouraging to see that the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has stepped up to meet this moment. 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.
We are thrilled that this bill continues to make its way through the PA legislature. But with anti-voter bills also progressing, we cannot afford to sit back and wait to see what happens.
Join us in advocating for protecting voting rights in the Commonwealth by rushing a donation today →
Together,
Team NPP
