Response to John Baer's Philadelphia Daily News Column

John Baer’s recent column in the Philadelphia Daily News (3/10/08) on women’s voting in Pennsylvania implied that WomenVote PA was providing misleading information about women’s voting patterns in Pennsylvania. The Women’s Law Project initiated WomenVote PA in 2003 in response to numerous national reports showing Pennsylvania women fairing very poorly in most health, social and economic indicators. These reports also showed that Pennsylvania women were registering to vote at lower rates than men and their voting participation was 4th lowest in the United States. It was apparent to us that there was a connection between the status of women in Pennsylvania and their registration and voting patterns. Through WomenVote PA we undertook an aggressive, non-partisan campaign to communicate this information to women throughout Pennsylvania and to encourage civic engagement, including voter registration and turnout. By 2004, we were working in coalition with 60 organizations with similar goals. We believe that these combined efforts contributed to the increased turnout of women voters in 2004. It is common knowledge that Presidential Elections bring out more voters. However, our goal is sustaining and increasing those levels in local elections in the off years to advance the health, social and economic status of women in Pennsylvania.

Carol Tracy, Barbara DiTullio
Women’s Law Project/WomenVote PA

Increasing Voting Access in Pennsylvania

The results of the November General Elections should be a wakeup call for all politicans. With the Democrats assuming the majority in both houses of Congress, they are moving issues like minimum wage, health care, and the war in Iraq to the top of the agenda. In Pennsylvania control of the House of Representatives has moved to the Democrats by a slim one vote majority, which will allow Democrats to have control of committee chairs. Both Democrats and Republicans in proposing a new era of cooperation, supported State Rep. Dennis O'Brien, a Republican from Philadelphia, as the new Speaker of the House in Pennsylvania.

This short recap is only to say that for the first time in 12 years, Pennsylvanians may have an opportunity to look at real voting reform measures, including mail in ballots or removing restrictions on absentee ballots. In fact, Oregon and New Hampshire allow citizens to vote by mail. In 6 states, they allow same day voter registration, or Election Day Registration: Minnesota, Maine, Wisconsin, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming; and in North Dakota, there are no requirement for voter registration. Voter turnout is critical, and we must seek new ways to make voting easier for the citizens of Pennsylvania. Surely we can find one or two methods that we could use in Pennsylvania to increase voter participation in elections. All you have to do is look at Wisconsin to see that it works. They have achieved 78% voter turnout during General Elections (maybe even high, I haven't checked recently). Let's push for greater public participation in our government by making voting easier!

November Elections 2006

With only a couple weeks to go before the General Election, activity is picking up to turn out the vote in Pennsylvania. I'm sure this is happening in all states. Many of my friends are pro-choice, as I am, and they have expressed their diappoinment in the U.S. Senate race in Pennsylvania because both candidates are anti-abortion. A few have even told me that they will not vote in the Senate race. I know that not voting can certainly send a message, but I would also say be careful of what message it really sends.

With the current state of the nation, I believe it is extremely important for everyone to exercise their right to vote, and some times we just have to hold our noses and vote for the lesser of two evils. I am heartened by the increase in young voter registration, and especially the turnout in the last Presidential Election. I encourage everyone to please vote on November 7th and take a friend.

WomenVote PA

Why are PA women not registering to vote?

Pennsylvania is the only state in the nation where women are not registering to vote at the same rate as men. Additionally, Pennsylvania is one of seven states where women are not voting at the same rates as men. I would be interested in hearing from women around the state as to why they do or don't vote. And what issues are most important to them.
BarbD