Voting in the primary — here are rules and instructions

Last October I authored a few columns outlining procedures for voting under Pennsylvania’s relatively recent voter laws. We are now into primary voting season with election day on May 18 and it seemed time to revisit those observations.

As with interpretation of any new laws, this process is at the writer’s peril. So, here goes with some updated information. Readers are also free to update me.

This is a Primary But Independents Can Still Vote — There are Ballot Questions. One sticking point in Pennsylvania primary elections, those designed to nominate candidates from each party, is that most often voters registered as independent are unable to vote because of their lack of party affiliation. In this election there is a separate non-partisan ballot which includes ballot questions regarding amending the state Constitution. The Democratic and Republican ballots also include the questions.

Briefly summarized, the first two questions concern whether the state legislature should have the power to terminate or extend a disaster emergency and terminate or extend the powers of Commonwealth agencies to address the disaster regardless of its severity (Amendment 1) and whether a disaster emergency declared by the Governor would expire automatically after 21 days “regardless of the severity of the emergency” unless the General Assembly takes action to extend (Amendment 2).

These are obviously in response to the Governor’s actions in declaring COVID-19 emergencies but would apply to any Governor and any emergency such as flood or fire and could potentially impact federal funds for emergency disaster relief. Questions 3 and 4 have not aroused much controversy. Amendment 3 is equal rights regardless of an individual’s race or ethnicity. Amendment 4 approves making municipal fire and emergency medical services companies eligible for loans.