Information about the primary:
- Important dates to know
- Information about the three amendments
- Proposed State Referendum (Question 4)
- Allegheny County/Pittsburgh ballot questions
Important dates to know are:
May 3 - the last day to REGISTER to vote;
May 11- the last day to APPLY for a mail-in ballot; and
May 18- Election day for in-person voting, is the last day for the County Board of Elections to RECEIVE mail-in ballots.
There will be three questions on the ballot that will amend PA’s Constitution. It’s imperative that you know how you’ll vote on the ballot questions.
Amendments
PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 1: TERMINATION OF EXTENSION OF DISASTER EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS
BALLOT QUESTION: Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to change the existing law and increase the power of the General Assembly to unilaterally terminate or extend a disaster emergency declaration - and the powers of Commonwealth agencies to address the disaster regardless of its severity pursuant to that declaration - through passing a concurrent resolution by simple majority, thereby removing the check and balance of presenting a resolution to the Governor for approval or disapproval?
Vote NO! This amendment gives ALL power to declare an emergency - and its length - to the General Assembly and takes ALL power away from the Governor, which impacts the speed at which federal emergency funds can be made available to Pennsylvania.
PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 2: DISASTER EMERGENCY DECLARATION AND MANAGEMENT
BALLOT QUESTION LANGUAGE: Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to change existing law so that: a disaster emergency declaration will expire automatically after 21 days, regardless of the severity of the emergency; the Governor many not declare a new disaster emergency to respond to the dangers facing the Commonwealth unless the General Assembly passes a concurrent resolution; the General Assembly enacts new laws for disaster management?
Vote NO! It is a power grab by the General Assembly that reduces the Governor’s ability to act in an emergency. Actions should not be time-limited, but should be addressed as needs unfold. Requiring a vote by the General Assembly before action can be taken creates delays that make crucial differences in the face of an emergency and puts residents, businesses and possibly lives, at risk.
PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 3: PROHIBITION AGAINST DENIAL OR ABRIDGEMENT OF EQUALITY OF RIGHTS BECAUSE OF RACE OR ETHNICITY
BALLOT QUESTION LANGUAGE: Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended by adding a new section providing that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of an individual’s race or ethnicity?
Vote your conscience on this one. These rights are already protected under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Moreover, PA Republicans, when faced with the choice, refused to add language to protect LGBTQ persons.
Referendum
PROPOSED STATE REFERENDUM (Question 4)
Do you favor expanding the use of indebtedness authorized under the referendum for loans to volunteer fire companies, volunteer ambulance services and volunteer rescue squads under 35 PA.C.S Section 7378.1 (related to referendum for additional indebtedness) to include loans to municipal fire departments or companies that provide services through paid personnel and emergency medical services companies for the purpose of establishing and modernizing facilities to house apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles, and for purchasing apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles, protective communications equipment and any other accessory equipment necessary for the proper performance of the duties of the fire companies and emergency medical services companies?
While we are not taking a stance on the referendum, there are great resources out there, or just ask your local firefighters or elected officials for an opinion.
Allegheny County/Pittsburgh Ballot Questions
THE FOLLOWING TWO QUESTIONS WILL ONLY APPEAR IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY!
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY HOME RULE CHARTER
BALLOT QUESTION: Shall the Allegheny County Code, Chapter 205, Allegheny County Jail, be amended and supplemented to include a new Article III, which shall set forth standards governing conditions of confinement in the Allegheny County Jail?
Vote YES! If approved, this amendment would prohibit solitary confinement in the Allegheny County Jail in most circumstances, and would also prohibit the use of restraining chairs, chemical agents, and leg shackles.
For more information visit the Alliance for Police Accountability’s webpage.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH HOME RULE CHARTER (ON THE BALLOT ONLY IN PITTSBURGH PROPER!)
BALLOT QUESTION: Shall the Pittsburgh Home Rule Charter be amended and supplemented by adding a new Article 10: Powers of the Pittsburgh Police, containing Section 1001, which shall bar employees of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police from executing warrants at any residence without knocking and announcing themselves?
Vote YES! If approved, this amendment would require Pittsburgh Police to physically knock and announce themselves before forcibly gaining entry to execute warrants. “No knock” procedures shall be prohibited.
For more information visit the Alliance for Police Accountability’s webpage.