illusionofjoy | May. 11th, 2021

Prior to 2020, no-excuse mail-in ballots did not exist in Pennsylvania. As such, I would post this entry on Election Day itself. However, with voting by mail readily available (unless certain misguided groups manage to take it away) and with it being my preferred method of casting my ballot, I'm now going to post these entries one week before Election Day. It's now Election Season...kind of like Halloween or Christmas, but with a lot less candy.

In Pennsylvania, the polls will be open from 7:00-8:00PM on May 18^th (the close of polls is also when all mail-in ballots are due at the Elections Division). Although Pennsylvania has a closed primary for candidates, this primary election is being held concurrently with a general election open to all voters regardless of party affiliation or lack thereof where they must choose how to answer several ballot questions. More information can be found on those questions at the Pennsylvania State Department and a plain-English explainer for said questions can be found at WESA.

As always, my personal picks, starting with questions and then moving to Democratic candidates...

Ballot Question #1

Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to change existing law and increase the power of the General Assembly to unilaterally terminate or extend a disaster emergency declaration—and the powers of Commonwealth agencies to address the disaster regardless of its severity pursuant to that declaration—through passing a concurrent resolution by simple majority, thereby removing the existing check and balance of presenting a resolution to the Governor for approval or disapproval?

Ballot Question #2

Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to change existing law so that: a disaster emergency declaration will expire automatically after 21 days, regardless of the severity of the emergency, unless the General Assembly takes action to extend the disaster emergency; the Governor may not declare a new disaster emergency to respond to the dangers facing the Commonwealth unless the General Assembly passes a concurrent resolution; the General Assembly enacts new laws for disaster management?

Ballot Question #3

Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended by adding a new section providing that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of an individual’s race or ethnicity?

YES

Ballot Question - State of Pennsylvania

Do you favor expanding the use of the indebtedness authorized under the referendum for loans to volunteer fire companies, volunteer ambulance services and volunteer rescue squads under 35 PA.C.S. Section 7378.1 (related to referendum for additional indebtedness) to include loans to municipal fire departments or companies that provide services through paid personnel and emergency medical services companies for the purpose of establishing and modernizing facilities to house apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles, and for purchasing apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles, protective and communications equipment and any other accessory equipment necessary for the proper performance of the duties of the fire companies and emergency medical services companies?

YES

Ballot Question - Allegheny County

Shall the Allegheny County Code, Chapter 205, Allegheny County Jail, be amended and supplemented to include a new Article III, which shall set forth standards governing conditions of confinement in the Allegheny County Jail?

YES

Ballot Question - City of Pittsburgh

Shall the Pittsburgh Home Rule Charter be amended and supplemented by adding a new Article 10: Powers of the Pittsburgh Police, containing Section 1001, which shall bar employees of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police from executing warrants at any residence without knocking and announcing themselves?

YES

Mayor of Pittsburgh