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Legislative Leadership Urges Governor to Protect
Voting Rights
of Overseas Military Personnel
October 27, 2004
The Honorable Edward G. Rendell
Governor of Pennsylvania
225 Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Dear Governor Rendell,
In the spirit of our recent bipartisan effort
which resulted in election law amendments pertaining to automatic recounts,
watchers and provisional ballots, we are writing to request your cooperation in
resolving another critical election matter: the right of our men and women
serving overseas to vote.
In your letter of October 25, to Senator
Santorum, you state that you believe “that the right to vote is fundamental."
We share that belief. You also stated as the Chief Executive of the
Commonwealth, “that you will never allow that right to be compromised for any
reason."
We assure you that we share your objective. No
Pennsylvania voter serving overseas in our nation’s military should be
disenfranchised in the 2004 General Election.
Due to the Nader litigation, there has been
clear confusion and controversy created concerning the mailing of absentee
ballots to overseas civilian and military voters. We recognize that every
effort by our counties has been made to send the ballots in a timely fashion.
You have conceded that at least two counties have failed to meet that deadline.
Further, it is estimated by the United States Postal Service that up to four to
six weeks time is required, at a minimum, to send and receive mail back from a
member of the military serving overseas, depending on assignment assuming there
are no other impediments or delays.
Since the very real possibility exists for
ballots to not be returned from overseas military voters by the statutory
deadline, why not err on the side of the voter?
It is our understanding that a new suit against
the Commonwealth has been filed today in the United States District Court for
the Middle District of Pennsylvania on behalf of overseas military voters. We
believe this litigation affords you the opportunity to take further action
similar to that which you took in the April 2004 primary election and direct the
Secretary of the Commonwealth to agree, by consent decree, to an extension of
time for the return of civilian and military overseas ballots.
We hope that we can remain united in continuing
to protect the voting rights of our citizens and most especially those serving
our country in its Armed Forces.
Sincerely,
David J. Brightbill, Majority Leader, Senate of
Pennsylvania
Samuel H. Smith, Majority Leader, PA House of
Representatives
Jeffrey E. Piccola, Majority Whip, Senate ff
Pennsylvania
Brett Feese, Majority Whip, PA House of
Representatives
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