INDIVISIBLE Lambertville NJ / New Hope PA

Category: Pennsylvania

  • PENNSYLVANIA GOTV – MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!

    VOTE: Pennsylvania Primary – May 17, 2022 polls open 7am – 8pm

    Caption: Register for this Democratic Senate Forum and hear from the 3 candidates vying for Senator Toomey’s seat on the May 17 ballot.

    PA Primary voter registration deadline…………………….………………………..….May 2 note: Mail-in or Absentee ballots: As an annual mail voter, you must submit a request to vote by mail ballot every year.  More info here:  Annual Mail-in Voter List (pa.gov)

    Deadline to request a mail-in/absentee ballot…………………………………….…..May 10

    Deadline for mail-in/absentee ballots *to arrive* at your county election office….. May 17 (note that postmarks are not enough)

    Last day for early/on-demand voting at the County Board of Elections…………… May 16

    Resources:  

  • Keystone State Politics and Government

    Contributed by Bonnie Chang.

    Bucks Voices Call to Action: Three Ballot Drop Boxes for Bucks is Not Enough!

    Last November, 42% of voters used vote-by-mail and already, mail-in ballot requests for the upcoming primary suggest that the percentage will be even higher. Estimates indicate that our postal service will need to handle 90,000 pieces of additional mail between late April and May 18. Given concerns about the reliability and timeliness of the mail, many voters will choose to put their ballots in a drop box to meet the deadline.  

    Bucks County had only three drop box locations last fall, worse than the widely-criticized, newly-enacted Georgia voter suppression bill that mandates one dropbox per 100,000 voters. It also pales in comparison with the four neighboring counties, many of which have 24/7 access. In Bucks, many voters had to drive a significant distance to get to one, and those going to Doylestown spent more time looking for parking.

    With all of the voter suppression efforts in Pennsylvania and around the country, it’s more important than ever to make it easy for everyone to vote. Bucks Voices has launched a petition-signing drive to urge County Commissioners to increase the number of drop boxes.  So far, they’ve agreed to add one location for the primary in Lower Makefield library. A lot more drop boxes are needed to support increased voter access going forward. 

    Join the cause: Dancing Drop Boxes to Deliver the Petitions – Bucks Voices are looking for volunteers to help construct large cardboard drop boxes and accompany the crew with a musical troupe to deliver the petitions to the county commissioners. The petition delivery date is tentatively set for June 2.  If you are interested in helping in any capacity, please email BucksVoicesPA@gmail.com. 

    CALL TO ACTION: Please sign the petition to demand a lot more drop boxes, and contact all three County Commissioners by phone or email to demand more drop boxes. 

    May Primary: Know Before You Vote

    For traditionally non-partisan roles, such as judge and school director, candidates can cross-file so their names appear under both parties on the primary ballot. In such primaries, it’s important to know which candidates are endorsed by which party so that you know you are voting for someone who aligns with your values. To find out who are the recommended school board candidates click here:  School Board candidates!

    • Bucks County Democratic Committee Endorses Mark Lomax for County Sheriff. 

    The primary race for county sheriff is contested this year. It’s remarkable that the Bucks County Democratic party has endorsed Mark Lomax and not the incumbent. Mark Lomax won 79% of the endorsement votes by the voting party members, reflecting that we the people demand leaders especially in law enforcement who has the vision and integrity to lead. Mark is recognized as an expert in community policing, a seasoned executive in Law enforcement organizations (e.g., Chief of Police Association), and with his work for the UN in Liberia, further reinforced in him the fragility and the importance of protecting a democracy. Mark Lomax will make a big difference in law enforcement in Bucks County.

    • May 18 Primary:  Need Your Vote on Three Critical Ballot Questions

    There are four ballot questions on the primary ballot in May.  Independent voters should vote on these questions as well.  Watch this Ballot Questions video that will address all the ballot questions. The first two amendments attempt to curtail the ability of the Governor to manage during an emergency. Read why this is a bad idea from the Director of the PA Emergency Management Agency.  VOTE NO.

    “Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to change existing law and increase the power of the General Assembly to unilaterally terminate or extend a disaster emergency declaration – and the powers of Commonwealth agencies to address the disaster regardless of its severity pursuant to that declaration

    through passing a concurrent resolution by simple majority, thereby removing the existing check and balance of presenting a resolution to the Governor for approval or disapproval?” VOTE NO.

    • CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT #2 Addresses the governor’s emergency powers, including requiring legislative approval to continue beyond 21 days.

    “Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to change existing law so that: a disaster emergency declaration will expire automatically after 21 days, regardless of the severity of the emergency, unless the General Assembly takes action to extend the disaster emergency; the Governor may not declare a new disaster emergency to respond to the dangers facing the Commonwealth unless the General Assembly passes a concurrent resolution; the General Assembly enacts new laws for disaster management.” VOTE NO on both #1 and #2 so that the governor retains authority and the flexibility to implement emergency restrictions for as long as necessary.

    • CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT #3 Prohibits denial or abridgement of rights on account of an individual’s race or ethnicity. VOTE YES to ensure that no one is denied equal rights based on Race or Ethnicity. 

    REMEMBER:  Vote NO, NO, YES for the 3 constitutional amendments.

  • Keystone State Government and Politics

    Contributed by Olga Vanucci.

    In the May 18 primary election in Pennsylvania there are three ballot questions to amend the state constitution. Everyone can vote on the questions, regardless of party affiliation.

    • Questions 1 and 2 will limit the Governor’s ability to manage disasters. Some members of the General Assembly have been opposed to Gov. Tom Wolf’s use of disaster declaration throughout the pandemic which, so far, has been upheld when challenged in court.  This is an attempt to thwart that. 
    • Question 3  provides that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of an individual’s race or ethnicity.  This may sound good, but actually it’s not broad enough.  Also, federal law already contains these protections, and more broad ones at that.

    The League of Women Voters have provided more information on the questions, including a video: 

    Three questions on May 18 Primary Ballot | MyLO (lwv.org)

    League of Women Voters- Questions on the 2021 Election Ballot – YouTube

     

  • Raising the Keystone – Upholding Democracy in Pennsylvania

    Contributed by Lisa Bergson.

    Writing on the night of January 6th, we see the extreme danger of embracing tyrants and coddling vigilantes and militias. Today, we saw the consequences in the invasion of our capital, the disruption of our formal electoral process, and the ransacking of the Capitol Complex, forcing our elected representatives to shelter, as though from an invader.  

    Dear ILNHers, these thugs are our neighbors. Right up my block, read lawn signs: “America for Trump” “Trotsky, Stalin, and Socialists for Biden” and “Christians for Trump.”  My husband and I joked about posting a sign: “Hitler, Mussolini, and Putin for Trump”. But, we pulled up our election signs by November 10th for a reason. Win or lose, this is our community.  And our grassroots organizing must continue; our commitment to heal the searing wounds that divide us, is more urgent than ever. 

    Here’s what to do now:

    Protect Our Democracy:  This call just received from Jason Henry, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, is so grave that I’m posting it verbatim:

    “For months, Harrisburg Republicans have echoed dangerous lies about mail-in voting—a process they, themselves, voted for just last year. They’ve held sham hearings, joined outrageous lawsuits to disenfranchise millions, and supported Trump’s calls to throw out their own constituents’ votes.

    “On Tuesday, they escalated again. Mere hours before a mob wrecked our nation’s capitol, Republicans shamed our commonwealth’s capitol by refusing to seat a duly elected Democrat, citing the same unproven voter fraud Trump used to spur violence. That a handful of PA Republicans “disavowed” the political violence they spent months stoking is not enough. Immediate, corrective action is needed to restore faith in our electoral system.

    “The fact is: There’s a dangerous anti-democratic streak among Pennsylvania Republican leaders. Today, we call on them to make amends and begin rebuilding the public’s faith in our elections.

    First, the PA Senate should immediately swear in Senator Jim Brewster, the certified winner in Senate District 45.

    Additionally, we ask that GOP leadership once again condemn violence, and we call on Senator Jake Corman to investigate his caucuses’ role in the attack, especially the presence of Doug Mastriano.

    Finally, we call on Pennsylvania’s Republican leadership to state jointly and unequivocally that President-Elect Joe Biden won our state.

    “None of these actions will fully correct the damage, paranoia, and division their actions have caused, but they’ll mark good first steps in the long road towards restoring faith in democracy.”

    ACTION: Please call your Republican officials and ask that they take these steps towards restoring our democracy.

    Block State Republican Attempt to Hijack the Courts. First, PA Republicans joined forces to try to disenfranchise all of us who chose to safely and legitimately vote by mail. Now, the GOP-controlled legislature is attempting to gerrymander our court system, which has served to protect our democracy by standing up to their baseless contention of voter fraud. With no provision for public comment and over the objection of legal experts and many former judges – Republican and Democrat — their goal is to splice the election of 31 Appellate Judges who rule statewide, into seven local districts. This power grab serves to reduce our judiciary’s political independence and diversity reflective of our state. It robs us of a say in the election of 90% of our statewide judges.  Our Republican-dominated State Legislature is fast-tracking this HB38 to amend our Constitution and degrade our widely respected judiciary.

    ACTION: Join me and send a letter to your local representative.

    TO LEARN MORE: 

    • Watch this short video: 
    • Attend an online event presented by the Bucks County League of Women Voters on Saturday January 9th. Register here. 

    Feed Your Head.  As activists, the better informed and united we are, the more effective we can be.  That’s why Turn PA Blue is sagely using this time to offer an intriguing series of Wednesday seminars. Topics include “local races, our courts, redistricting, policy updates, data/mapping, and more”. In doing so, the organization aims to offer “opportunities to come together to listen, learn, plan, and continue our work for a better future”.

    Dates, Times, and Events (events and speakers will be updated):

    1. Wednesday, January 13th, from 7-8 PM: No Off-Years: The Importance of Local Races. Guest speakers include Lara Putnam, Professor of History, University of Pittsburgh, State Representative Jennifer O’Mara, and Scranton Mayor, Paige Cognetti.
    2. Wednesday, January 27th, from 7-8 PM: Judicial Gerrymandering: What is it? Why Does it Matter? How Can You Stop It? Guest speakers include State Representative Mike Zabel, Deborah Gross, President and CEO of Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, and PA Superior Court Judge Carolyn Nichols.
    3. Wednesday, February 3, Lunchtime (12-1 PM): Mapping the Political Geography of PA. Guest speakers included Lara Putnam, Professor of History, University of Pittsburgh, and Ben Forstate, Political Analyst.
    4. Wednesday, February 10, from 7-8 PM: PA Policy Update. Guest speakers include State Senator Katie Muth and State Representative Joanna McClinton.

    CALL TO ACTION: I hope to see you at any or all of these Turn PA Blue events.

    Promote Awareness and Uproot Racism in Our Community.  In the aftermath of the brutal murder of George Floyd last summer, an interracial team was forged under the aegis of the Bucks County NAACP to focus on Criminal Justice and Education.  Specifically, they aim to work on legislation; to “reimagine public safety”, and to raise awareness among the general public and within our schools. “You can’t address racism unless you understand that it’s in your community,” says Helen Tai, who is helping to spearhead this vital initiative. To that end, the team has put together seminars on “Understanding White Privilege” and “Being a White Ally”, with February dates scheduled for, “Talking to Your Children About Racism” and “Implicit Bias and Micro-aggressions.” 

    CALL TO ACTION:  

    • To get involved with this exciting and impactful mission, sign up for the Bucks County NAACP January newsletter, which details recent accomplishments and upcoming activities.
    • To volunteer for the NAACP Bucks County Criminal Justice and Education Committee, please contact Miriam Tucker (miriam@cjecbucks.org)

    BUILD OUR BENCH: For our February edition, there will be an overview of the critical local elections coming up in 2021.  In the meantime, a wonderful opportunity to meet the Democratic candidates for Bucks County District Attorney and Judge of the Court of Common Pleas will be sponsored by Bucks Voices Zoom Webinar on January 25th at 7:00 p.m. Register for our Webinar!

    I welcome news of your wins, events, and announcements.  Please email me at: LisaBergson0@gmail.com.

  • Just the Facts – Primary turnout in Bucks County

    Contributed by Olga Vanucci.

    Registered voters in Bucks County as of January 13, 2020:

    Total – 454,702 

    Democrat – 195,755 Republican – 183,888 Other – 75,059

    • Voter turnout in the June 2020 primary: ~ 83,883 Democrat; 65,235 GOP
    • Percentage of eligible voters who turned out: 40% across both parties;  very high though below the 41% turnout of the 2016 primary.
    • Number of mail-in ballots received in Bucks primary: ~ 79,000 total;  57,000 Democrats, 21,000 Republicans 
    • Number of mail-in ballots received with post-primary extension: <2,000

    Sources: