Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study regarding the feasibility of implementing both a Statewide ballot rotation system and a precinct ballot rotation system for the order of listing candidates on ballots in primary and general elections and for each type of office and to issue a report.
Impact
The resolution highlights the importance of reviewing existing Pennsylvania laws governing ballot orders and processes for determining candidate placements. It emphasizes the need to ensure that any operational changes comply with constitutional requirements, such as maintaining uniformity in election laws. If implemented, a rotation system may benefit lesser-known candidates and serve to provide a fairer electoral process that counters biases inherent in static ballot listings.
Summary
House Resolution 384 (HR384) directs the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a comprehensive study on the feasibility of implementing both a Statewide ballot rotation system and a precinct ballot rotation system for candidate listings on ballots in Pennsylvania's primary and general elections. The objective of this resolution is to explore how altering the order in which candidates are presented can mitigate 'ballot order effects,' which often confer unwarranted advantages to certain candidates strictly based on their placement on the ballot, rather than their qualifications or voter preferences.
Contention
Discussions surrounding HR384 may reveal contention regarding the practical implications of implementing such systems. Critics may raise concerns about the complexity and cost of reorganizing the existing election processes, including potential issues related to ballot programming, logistics, and the administrative burden on county election offices. Proponents, on the other hand, may argue that these changes are essential in promoting electoral fairness and should be pursued regardless of associated challenges.
In nomination of candidates, further providing for casting of lots for position of names upon the primary ballots or ballot labels and notice to candidates; in ballots, further providing for form of official election ballot and providing for order of candidates on the ballot; in voting machines, further providing for demonstration of voting machines; and, in Pennsylvania Election Law Advisory Board, providing for ballot order randomization study.
In county boards of elections, further providing for powers and duties of county boards; in datesof elections and primaries and special elections, providing for authorization of ranked choice voting in municipal elections; in nomination of candidates, further providing for which candidates nominated; in ballots, further providing for form of official primary ballot; in electronic voting systems, further providing for election day procedures and the process of voting; in preparation for and conduct of primaries and elections, further providing for method of marking ballots and depositing same in districts in which ballots are used and for count and return of votes in districts in which ballots are used; and, in returns of primaries and elections, further providing for persons receiving highest number of votes to be declared elected.
Relates to the order of candidate and delegate names on primary ballots in cities with a population of one million or more as of the latest federal decennial census and provides for a rotation of names in subsequent elections.
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study regarding the feasibility and potential benefits of the development of offshore hydropower, solar and wind renewable energy generation systems on Lake Erie.
Allows the board of elections to tabulate mail ballots in local special elections in the same manner as in tabulate mail ballots in statewide elections.
Relates to the order of candidate and delegate names on primary ballots in the city of New York and provides for a rotation of names in subsequent elections.