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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Ronald G. Waters |
  
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Waters attends election preparedness hearing in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 29 -- State Rep. Ronald G. Waters, D-Phila./Delaware, joined other elected officials and voter advocates from Pennsylvania in Philadelphia at a House State Government Committee hearing to discuss the state's election preparedness.
Waters was joined by State Government Committee chairwoman Rep. Babette Josephs, and committee members Reps. Thomas Blackwell, Michael O’Brien, Cherelle Parker and Lawrence Curry. The hearing was held as a result of House Resolution 802, introduced by Waters earlier in the year.
"This hearing was intended to evaluate the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s readiness for the November 4 elections," Waters said. "We wanted to find out if there would be enough provisional ballots on hand and make sure there would be no intimidation at the polls so that everyone who comes out to vote that day has a chance to make his or her voice heard."
Several experts offered testimony during the hearing, including Andrew Hoover of the Pennsylvania ACLU. He discussed efforts to correct misinformation concerning ex-offenders' right to vote and the policies surrounding "passive electioneering," or the wearing of shirts, hats or other apparel bearing support for one candidate or party at the polls.
Postal district manager Frank Neri also testified, explaining how political mail is handled and described the security measures taken to ensure that such mail is delivered efficiently. Others who testified were Harry VanSickle, deputy secretary of the Commonwealth; Karen Tucker, national election mail coordinator with the U.S. Postal Service; and Lora Lavin, vice president for issues and action, League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania.
"I'd like to see this voting process be as comfortable an experience as possible for everyone who participates, given the historic nature of this year’s elections and the large number of new and young voters expected," Waters said. "And it is my hope that such voters are encouraged to continue exercising their civic duties in the future."
At the hearing, the committee reminded people that they must register to vote by Monday, Oct. 6.
Waters said he's received complaints at his office from constituents concerned about missing registration cards.
"Voters who've registered in time but don't receive their cards can still vote," Waters said. "They simply need to bring identification with them to their polling place."
Waters noted that voters can download a voter registration form and apply for absentee ballots on the Department of State's Web site at www.pavoterservices.state.pa.us. Voters can find their polling place by using the online search engine at the Web site.
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