Sophia’s Blog:

POST 5

Robbie and I emailed Governor Rendell with our letter, but we have not yet received a response. He will be out of office shortly anyways, but I thought maybe we would get some sort of response within this time. He has all of Robbie’s contact information. It seems as though we’ve already done a lot of background research concerning our topic. Perhaps more could be done, but it wont really go any further than just being a vague idea unless politicians start talking about it. I supposed a letter wasn’t quite captivating enough to grab priority attention. It might have gained more attention if there were an important election coming up, but it’s just not the social hot topic.

I would say, since we’ve been doing this whole e-mail method, that we should just push it out to more people. Just because Ed Rendell is our Governor, doesn’t mean we cannot contact other house members who have a say. It’s possible our letter hasn’t been read yet, or it could have just been pushed aside. I would have thought we would get a generic response at least. I wonder if politicians are that interested in listening to students. Even if it isn’t through our words, I would sincerely like to see this topic popularly discussed in politics. It would be an interesting reform to the voting system we’ve had for so long.

For this project on a whole I would have done things differently. Retrospectively, this probably wasn’t the best topic, not because I don’t believe what I said, but because I probably would have been more interested in something else. It definitely was informative for me, even if these posts are not read by a lot of viewers, which was my goal. Researching this topic forced me to go back over my knowledge over and over again because more than a few times it was wrong. For some time I was posting incorrect information. I think it was most beneficial that I got ideas squared away behind the scenes of these blog posts. I learned about how the sections of government work, and why America votes the way it does. These are things that I had never been concerned with, but now begin to see are important pieces in the puzzle of information I will need once I live my own life. It sounds a bit overly sentimental and forced, but I would have to understand this at some point, and better sooner than late.

POST 4

Robbie and I have decided to lobby our issue on a state level, so we need to contact our elected State officials. We each have different district representatives, but have decided to write an e-mail together to the Governor. Ed Rendell is the current Governor, yet it has not escaped our notice that he will shortly be replaced by Tom Corbett. We may end up contacting them both, as well as our district representatives, just to be sure.

In a previous post I listed my District Representatives. There has been a recent change:

- Vincent J. Hughs

- Pamela A. Delissio

I realize e-mails are not a very direct way of contacting officials, especially with everything they must get. We might also form a facebook page for people to support and “like.” That would draw more attention from other people. However, I think an e-mail is a good first step, especially if we send a bunch. Here is our e-mail:

Dear [Governor Rendell,]

We are writing to discuss the current voting system on both a National and State level. As young adults, we are new to the voting process, and concerned with voter turnout. We believe that voter turnout is significantly tied to voting accessibility. Analyzing the PA voting system, as well as contrasting it with that of others, we have developed a few suggestions for improvement. Respectfully, we hope you will take them into due consideration.

State Elections are held on the same day as National election, the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November. Most people are not aware why voting is held on this day, but we are. Tuesday was nationally standardized as (Vice-) Presidential election day in 1845 by law, and smaller elections followed suit. It was designated as such for reasons that are not applicable today. That Tuesday was meant to be convenient for citizens of the time, and chosen because it would not interfere with any religious observances and was the day before market day. Due to the fact that it took so long to travel, most people were already in town.

However, this method is completely outdated and no longer serves the practical function that it did in 1845. Voter turnout is suffering. When a system allows for more lenience, people will respond. In the 2002 general election, Pennsylvania was ranked 40th in voter turnout, whereas Oregon ranked 6th. Oregon utilizes mail-in voting, a much more flexible system.

Recently, several states have either adopted or introduced voting reform. One example in particular stood out to us. San Francisco just passed a piece of legislation, “Proposition 1,” which would enable polls to open on the Saturday preceding. Those who found it inconvenient to vote during the day Tuesday, could instead vote on the weekend. New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg responded enthusiastically with his own support and own proposal. He wants to include early voting to make the system more flexible. Pennsylvania could work in a likewise manner. If Pennsylvania adopted a similar policy, voter turnout would improve greatly.

It would behove our State to have a voter system like this, and it would make voting for both us and the general public a much easier process. Consider suggesting this plan, and PA will be grateful.

Sincerely,

Sophia Moreno

&
Robert Glynn

Robbie and I are humorously wondering if we will receive an email back from a real person, or a generic “thank you concerned citizen.” We’ll see. Best of luck.

POST 3

As addressed in previous blog posts, our topic isn't receiving much hot legislative or media attention. I imagine that any attention it receives would be “seasonal.” The thing is that Tuesday voting is so ingrained in society, that we think nothing of it, even if the day or method seems inconvenient. However, the U.S. just isn’t delivering the numbers. In this most recent 2010 midterm election, the average U.S. voter turnout was 40.3%. (Pennsylvania had 41.1%) The most attention our issue has received is in hopes for, or rather disappointment in, voter turnout.

However, this doesn’t mean there’s no legislation; it’s simply not big news. As found on WhyTuesday, a recent bill passed in San Francisco after the most recent election. It’s called proposition 1, otherwise known as the “Saturday Voting Act.” According to Afton Branch, the Act “would require San Francisco to open all polling places on the Saturday before Election Day in the November 2011 city election.” Afton additionally cites the Census Bureau Study, which states “Of these registered nonvoters, 18 percent reported that they did not vote because they were too busy or had conﬂicting work or school schedules.” The Act is endorsed by New York Mayor, Michael Bloomsberg. It will be interesting to see how this Act functions in application during the next election, or if other states will follow suit.

Previously I mentioned Wisconsin Senator Herbert Khol, who has introduced the Weekend Voting Act three times to the senate. The most recent case, S. 149, was introduced January 6, 2009, but did not yet make it through committee. Parallel to him in the House is New York Representative, Steve Israel. The two seem to be repetitively active in voting reform. However, I don’t know how they would help Robbie and me in our Lobbying on a state level, only national. Perhaps Robbie and I could try to push for PA to adopt the same Act. That way, we wouldn’t have to go through writing an entirely new piece of legislation.

Alternatively, we could also just switch to compulsory voting like Australia and have done with this whole issue. Just kidding, that wouldn’t be any easier to Lobby.

POST 2

Previously in blog 1 I mentioned Jacob Soboroff of Why Tuesday, since his sight encompasses our entire topic. I thought I should provide more from him. Below are a few of his statements. He summarizes the situation in a brief interview for NPR in 2007, as well as discussing it with (previous) Senator Obama.

Audio:

Obama:

My Representatives

I found out something new. Being as every “active citizen” should understand their representation, I’ve looked up my own. I’ll admit, Ive been woefully uninformed, but I won’t harass the past. While perusing websites to find my representatives, I came across this website, suitably named “Who is My Representative?” Here were my zip code results:

House

- Rep. Chaka Fattah

Senate

- Sen. Robert Casey

- Sen. Arlen Spektor

I was very mixed up on which people represent what and where, but over the past few days (and through several drafts of this paragraph) it has been clarified. First there is the Federal Senate representatives per state. For me, that’s Robert Casey and Arlen Spektor. Then there is also the Federal House representative, per district. For my zip code, it’s Chaka Fattah. They report to Washington, represent me on a national level, and make national law. Then, there are state representatives, who report to Harrisburg, and make state laws. For my area code, I am represented by Senator Vincent J. Hughes of District 7 and (previously) Kathy Manderino of House District 194.

In the end this explanation seems to be more for my own clarification than a reader’s. The point is that I found out something I wouldn’t have questioned otherwise. I would have been otherwise very ignorant of important information.

“The system”:

I began to look into my representatives, and soon found that I was limited in the fact that I don’t actually know how the PA voting system works right now. Do you? PA voting polls are open 7am to 8pm. Voting Day, like national voting day, is on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November. All voters must be registered with the County Voter Registration Office and citizens of Pennsylvania. Voters are responsible for getting to the nearest polling location on that day. However, it is possible to vote by absentee ballot under special circumstances. As for the date of voting, that is both established by the constitution and federal law. Look back a “few” years:

1787 - Constitution

“The times, places and manner of holding elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each state by the legislature thereof”

- Article 1; Section 4

“The Congress may determine the time of choosing the electors, and the day on which they shall give their votes; which day shall be the same throughout the United States.” (concerning the Presidential election)

- Article 2; Section 1

1792 - (“Congress passed a law that mandated only that the election for president occur sometime within a 34-day window before the first Wednesday in December every fourth year”)

“...That except in case of an election of a President and Vice President of the United States, prior to the ordinary period as herein after specified, electors shall be appointed in each state for the election of a President and Vice President of the United States, within thirty-four days preceding the first Wednesday in December...”

1845 - Election day was nationally standardized by law

“The electors of President and Vice President shall be appointed, in each State, on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November, in every fourth year succeeding every election of a President and Vice President.”

“The Tuesday next after the 1st Monday in November, in every even numbered year, is established as the day for the election, in each of the States and Territories of the United States, of Representatives and Delegates to the Congress commencing on the 3d day of January next thereafter.”

This means that I was wrong in my last blog post, in stating that ALL elections did not specifically have to be on a Tuesday. I was wrong. The “main” elections have to be on that Tuesday, so as it were, the smaller state officials are elected at the same time for convenience. Changing Tuesday voting to a Weekend would be a federal lobby. Robbie and I would have to go to our federal representatives. However, it would be up to the state of PA to change the manner of election. The final vote must be cast on that Tuesday, but it is possible to set up a means of submitting ballots beforehand or in a different way.

Chaka Fattah (District 2)

Unfortunately, not many people are involved with or have voted on a bill specifically pertaining to Tuesday voting. There is no bill in process. However, most congressmen, including Rep. Fattah have opinions on general voting or election reform. According to On The Issues, Chaka Fattah has repeatedly rejected legislation requiring photo ID for voting on the stance that it “places an undue burden on citizens' legitimate voting rights.” He additionally “adopted the CBC principals” that came in response to the 2000 presidential election. Briefly summarized in quotes, the principals state:

Election Reform is the CBC’s Number One Legislative Priority.
“...What happened in Election 2000 is no way to elect the President...For the sake of our democracy, it is imperative that Election Reform be the top priority of every Member of Congress, and every American...We must ensure that every vote cast is counted and that everyone who is eligible to vote is allowed to vote...”

Voter Education and Participation.
“...allegations of voter intimidation, inaccurate voter registration lists, flawed ballot designs, and antiquated voting machinery. All of these problems led to confusion before, during and after the election....prevent voter intimidation, as well as to enhance and improve voter registration, education and participation.”

Congress Must Act.
“...Legislation should address ballot design, modern voting machines, an accurate vote-counting mechanism that allows for recounts, the restoration of voting rights for ex-offenders, assistance for bilingual and disabled persons who vote, and ensure the most accurate voter registration rolls on election day...”

(For full text, view On The Issues)

As for other general issues, I found Chaka Fattah to be very liberal. He:

Is pro-choice
Supports Government spending to get out of recession
Is anti-discrimination in work place
Is not against gay marriage
Does not support capital punishment
Supports public health insurance

As Ive been finding, there is obviously way more to election reform than the day. While our topic is more specific to just changing things a bit, it really does tie into a much larger bundle of issues, which are equally as important. Its seems as though we won’t be able to avoid looking into these other matters as well if we continue. There actually is a lot of information, but it’s very scattered around. However, it definitely isn’t just about “why Tuesday?”

POST 1

Ever since I was in elementary school, elections meant one thing: no school! This was the naivety of a young child, but hey, I loved it. While everyone else had to fret around with poll times, I got a full Tuesday of freedom. Their tasks were not my concern. However, I’m no longer in the position to think of November 2nd, or any other election day in this manner.

Since I have recently turned 18, I can vote, and I want my voting experience to be as easy as possible. The problem is that voting is not nearly as accessible as it could be, and has almost become a hassle. Think about it: location, time, date and method. Voting shouldn’t be inconvenient. Granted, the government has done certain things well, but it could be better. If voting were a little more accessible in even the smallest ways, perhaps America would have a greater voter turnout.

Take for example, date, and therein lies one of the biggest questions. Why do we vote on Tuesday? Really, it seems like an odd thing when you think about it. Jacob Soboroff of “WhyTuesday?” has been asking that same question for years, and set out to investigate more about America’s voting system. The truth is tied into farming, yes seriously, farming. “Back in the day” everyone came to market in town on Tuesday, which made it a convenient time for voting since everyone was there anyways. The day stuck. We now continue to vote on Tuesday not necessarily because the government was “too lazy” to change it, but because it was not cost beneficial.

Before getting into changing any aspect of the PA voting process, its important to understand the fundamentals of how it already works. (It is for me, because I certainly didn’t know before.) How do our elected officials get to office? Look at a national event, the presidential election.

How the President gets elected (super simplified version):

Registered voters like me cast ballots in residential states, for a pre-nominated candidate. Each state has a certain number of Electors in the Electoral College.

The amount of Electors for each state is proportional to the sum of the number of Senators and Representatives of that state. The political party receiving the most votes in that state determines the party of the chosen Electors. The Electors then get to cast their ballots, and the candidate with a greater number of Electoral College ballots wins election.

Click here for more on the electoral college.

According to the Constitution “The times, places and manner of holding elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each state by the legislature thereof...” However, there are various methods of voting, and it doesn't need to be on a Tuesday. An example is voting by mail. Other states like Oregon and Washington both allow citizens to send ballots in by mail, several weeks prior election. This method avoids any issue of poll location, and is in fact cost-beneficial. PA does not offer this option.

In January of 2009, New York representative Steve Israel brought up the second Weekend Voting Act: H.R. 254. It was also proposed in the Senate by Senator Herb Khol. The legislation proposed (video link) that state voting be moved to the weekend, a full two days. Israel was quoted “Holding elections on the first Tuesday of November makes it difficult, even impossible, for many Americans with work and family responsibilities to exercise their fundamental right to vote,” Kohl said. “Weekend voting would remove unnecessary obstacles to voting and ensure more fair, open, and credible elections for citizens to choose their representatives in government.” I would suggest a similar act for Pennsylvania.

If voting were moved to the weekend, students would not need to take off school and workers would not have to go out of their way to make it to a poll before closing time in the middle of the week. However, after Legislation has been pending for a while, it gets trashed for the new election. The Act didn’t make it past committee.

It is true that most people who want to vote can work it into their day, but the point is so make it as easy as possible. While it may be easy for young people in large cities to vote, it is more difficult for the elderly and those who live in more rural areas. Sometimes the polling areas are not as accessible for those who may not be physically fit to get to the older facilities. Constitutionally, we don’t have to vote the way we do. Even for the presidential election, only the electors are required to vote on the same day. Why then, keep Tuesday?