CITIZENS OPPOSED TO HOUSE BILL 1318 TO MEET WITH LEGISLATORS

Harrisburg, PA – On February 1, 2006, community organizations, volunteers, concerned citizens, and community leaders will gather at the Harrisburg Capitol to rally against House Bill 1318. This growing statewide coalition, Protect Our Vote, will spend the day meeting with state representatives to urge them to vote “no” to House Bill 1318, which could affect the voting rights of tens of thousands of Pennsylvania voters.

“House Bill 1318 could limit access to the polls for Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable citizens including senior citizens, people with disabilities, felons who have completed their sentences, and low-income residents,” said Ralph G. Neas, President of People For the American Way. “It is time for Pennsylvania legislators to provide common-sense reforms that will increase voter confidence, bring more voters to the polls and remove barriers to voting.”

While proponents say that House Bill 1318 is an effort to limit voter fraud, they have not provided any hard evidence that illustrates this claim. The Pennsylvania Election Code already provides for many safeguards against fraud including bipartisan representation at the polls. There is no evidence that it has been inadequate. The coalition believes that House Bill 1318 places an unnecessary burden on regular voters, and the unfortunate result is that many voters will be prevented from casting a ballot.

“Pennsylvania legislators should be focusing on employment, economic development, education and other issues which are of real significance to Pennsylvanians,” said Christopher Sheridan, Policy Director at the Committee of Seventy, “not tolerating the use of election integrity as a cover for carefully targeted voter suppression.”

On February 1, 2006, members of the Pennsylvania Legislature will meet with community organizations, volunteers, concerned citizens, and community leaders at the Harrisburg Capitol, East Wing Room 8A-E to discuss the huge burdens House Bill 1318 could place on regular voters.

STATEWIDE PROTECT OUR VOTE MOBILIZING MEETING

Where: Harrisburg Capitol East Wing Room 8A-E

When: Wednesday, February 1, 2006 at 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Who: Members of the Pennsylvania Legislature, civic groups and concerned citizens opposed to House Bill 1318