Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton shown in this file photo in Pittsburgh. Voters would be able to register at polling stations on Election Day, which McClinton has argued would help correct in voting rolls. —FILE PHOTO
by Marco Cerino PHILADELPHIA TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives will consider legislation that would allow voters two weeks of early, in-person voting, along with same-day registration for elections, perhaps as soon as the next gubernatorial campaign.
Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton sent out a co-sponsorship memo on Monday seeking support for her reforms. The West Philadelphia representative mentioned in the memo that the practices, available in other states, have two-thirds support from constituents, along with bipartisan backing.
“These two critical modernizations will make it more convenient for busy people who want to vote in person to cast their ballot, increasing voter participation, and strengthening our democracy,” the memo reads in part. “This is about ensuring all eligible Pennsylvanians have the opportunity to exercise their voting rights.”
McClinton held a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday to promote the legislation. Voters would be able to register at polling stations on Election Day. Pennsylvanians will also be offered e-polling books, versions of which are available in New Jersey and other states.
City Commissioner Lisa Deeley was in attendance for Tuesday’s press conference. She anticipates early voting will take place at “vote centers” instead of opening each of the city’s thousands of polling places for all two weeks. This will help cut long lines voters face on election days and deliver quicker results on election nights.
“It’s a victory for all voters, regardless of political party,” Deeley said in an interview Wednesday. “It increases options for all voters and is something I’ve been looking into and researching since before I got elected.”
She mentioned that this will especially benefit disabled voters and those in rural areas who face long drives to polling locations.
Deeley has offered to help with the process, knowing the ratio of voters to locations set in the bill will determine how many vote centers will open, along with their distribution. The Democratic majority in the House, along with the Speaker’s presence as a lead author, will likely help draw support and create a smoother path for passage.
“We applaud Speaker McClinton’s efforts to have Pennsylvania implement these reforms and increase participation in our elections throughout the Commonwealth,” said Lauren Cristella, president and CEO of the Committee of Seventy in a statement to The Tribune Thursday. “We are confident that these reforms would positively impact elections in Pennsylvania and we look forward to reviewing the draft legislation as it becomes available.”
If enacted, counties would need e-poll books in at least 50 percent of polling places by January 1, 2026, the same day early voting could start. Same-day voter registration and e-poll books at all voting locations would start in 2027.
mcerino@phillytrib.com 215-893-5700
This article originally appeared in the Philadelphia Tribune
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