Calling on members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly to pass legislation that allows for early voting in primary and general elections in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, In thirty two states and the District of Columbia, any qualified voter may cast a ballot in person during a designated period prior to Election Day, no excuse or justification is required; and

WHEREAS, Since 1992, early voting in the United States has increased, in Presidential Elections, from 7% to 31% of the total population electorate in 2008; and

WHEREAS, According to an October 2008 article by CNN,

voters say they enjoy the convenience of choosing when they cast their ballots

; and

WHEREAS, According to the United States Elections Project, over 32 million Americans participated in the early voting process in the 2012 Presidential General Election, which accounts for nearly one third of all voters; and

WHEREAS, In 2012, President Barack Obama made history as the first President to vote early in a Presidential Election; and

WHEREAS, Citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have a vested interest in voting, more than 5.4 million Pennsylvanians voted in the 2012 Presidential General Election; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby call on members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly to introduce and pass legislation that allows for early voting in primary and general elections in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Chief Clerk shall forward a certified copy of this Resolution to the Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, the Majority and Minority Chairs of the Pennsylvania Committees on State Government, Appropriations and Rules and to all members of the House delegation representing the City of Philadelphia as evidence of the this Council's support of this legislation.

End