Ahead of Election Day, Rabb promotes various bills designed to make elections more equitable, accessible, fair

HARRISBURG, Oct. 29 – Keeping in mind that free, fair elections are the cornerstone of democracy, state Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., is promoting several bills he’s introduced ahead of Election Day, which are designed to ensure a more equitable, accessible and fair election process for all eligible voters. 

“Every single vote cast in an election is the voice of a person in that democracy exercising their right to shape that democracy,” Rabb said. “Voting in our country is an almost sacred right. People have died for this right. For too long, more than half the people in this country didn’t have the right to vote and couldn’t make their voices heard. Now, more people have the right to vote, but that doesn’t mean voting is accessible for everyone, nor does it mean that our election process is fair. I want to change that.” 

The following are just some of the pieces of elections-related legislation that Rabb has introduced: 

  • Making Election Day a state holiday: This legislation would remove Columbus Day as a holiday and make Election Day an official holiday. 
  • Ranked choice voting: This legislation would enable voters to rank candidates by order of preference rather than simply choosing one candidate. 
  • National popular vote: This legislation would guarantee the presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 
  • Establishing rotating ballot positions for candidates: This legislation would infuse fairness into our election process by requiring the randomization of each precinct’s list of candidates on the ballot. 
  • Requiring background checks for candidates: This legislation would require that political candidates complete criminal background clearances when filing their nomination petitions and affidavits, just as all other job applicants who interact with vulnerable populations are required to do. 

Rabb plans to introduce other election-related legislation in the future.

“To have a government that truly reflects the people it represents, it’s vital that we have an election process that is easy for all eligible voters to use,” Rabb said. “It is equally important that our election process is one people can trust. I believe the legislation I’ve introduced would improve our election process, and I hope to gain support for each of these pieces of legislation and see them enacted into law.”