In light of recent resignations, Rabb highlights special election reform legislation
Rep. Christopher M. Rabb July 17, 2024 | 4:43 PM
HARRISBURG, July 17 – In light of the recent resignations from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives of former state Reps. Donna Bullock and Stephen Kinsey, both D-Phila., and the announcement that there will be Sept. 17 special elections to replace them, state Rep. Chris Rabb is highlighting special election-related legislation that would save Pennsylvania money and clean up the special election process.
“As we’ve seen numerous times over the past two years in the House, the process by which we elect people in special elections is just as important as regularly scheduled elections,” said Rabb, D-Phila. “According to the Pennsylvania Department of State, the state spent almost $1 million on special elections in 2023 alone.”
This legislation, H.B. 1831, would ensure special elections are timely, cost effective and accessible by requiring that special elections happen sooner when a seat becomes vacant more than 90 days before the next election; requiring automatic mail-in voting for all elections while providing county boards of election the option to establish satellite voting sites; allowing for non-partisan participation; and allowing candidates to electronically obtain nomination petition signatures, he said.
“Pennsylvanians deserve special elections that are equitable, transparent, efficient and cost-effective. At the moment, special elections in this state are none of those things,” Rabb said.