FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(PHILADELPHIA) Thursday, February 14, 2013—Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown introduced a resolution in City Council calling on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to introduce and pass legislation allowing for early voting in primary and general elections in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The resolution is co-sponsored by Republican Councilman At-Large, Dennis M. O’Brien. “As a nation, it is clear we are moving toward early voting as the rule, not the exception. When 32 other states have figured out how to make it work, it is time for Pennsylvania to get on board,” said Councilwoman Reynolds Brown. “This is not meant to give one party an advantage over another. For seniors and students, working moms and dads alike, it does not matter whether you are in a red, blue or purple county—sometimes life can just get in the way of getting to your polling place on Election Day. We need to be doing all we can to increase voter participation in every single precinct across the Commonwealth.” Early voting in the United States has increased in Presidential Elections from 7% in 1992 to 31% in 2008. As of the November 6, 2012 General Election, 32 states and the District of Columbia allowed qualified voters to cast a ballot in person during a designated period prior to Election Day. Currently Pennsylvania provides only for absentee voting.
For additional information please contact the Chief of Staff, David Forde at (215) 686-3438
