Oct. 04, 2023
HARRISBURG – Citing timelines and staffing conflicts, state Rep. Wendy Fink (R-Red Lion) today opposed committee efforts to shift the date of Pennsylvania’s 2024 primary election. Both bills addressing the issue passed on predominately party line votes and now go to the full House for consideration.
“Solidifying polling places and securing poll workers both already pose significant challenges for county election officials,” Fink commented. “The two pieces of proposed legislation which advanced today should have been taken up much earlier in the year, considering how they would impact the April 23, 2024 primary date.”
Fink is a member of the House State Government Committee, which initially passed a House bill which would change Primary Election Day 2024 to the first Tuesday of April, which will be April 2, 2024; and soundly defeated a Senate bill that would move the primary up by five weeks to March 19, 2024.
Senate Bill 224 was later reconsidered with six Democrat committee members changing their vote, allowing the legislation to pass by a one-vote margin.
“Too many things are already in place to make a drastic change like this,” added Fink. “Any movement off April 23, 2024, would mean amending school calendars, which are already depended on for many reasons. We also rely heavily on our senior citizens to serve at polling places, and a significant number of them head for warmer weather in the winter, which takes them out of the equation…and speaking of which, a change introduces an improved chance of severe weather, something which unfortunately but realistically affects turnout.
“It’s simply too late in the process to change the date,” Fink said emphatically.
Questions about this or any legislative issue should be directed to Fink’s district office at 717-244-9232.
Representative Wendy Fink
94th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Katelin Morrison
717.260.6502
Kmorrison@pahousegop.com
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