Earlier today, the group Independent Pennsylvanians alerted its supporters to a press conference it will be holding in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania’s capital, next Wednesday. The press conference is in support of a bill that would introduce open primaries to Pennsylvania. They are urging everyone who is available to come.
A press release was also sent out:
On Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at 10:00 am in the East Wing Rotunda of the capital building in Harrisburg, Independent Pennsylvanians will hold a press conference to highlight the importance of passing HB2462. Independent Pennsylvanians represents voters in this state who want to exercise their rights to vote in EVERY election in Pennsylvania without having to align themselves with a political party that does not appropriately represent their interests.
After the press conference, the group will deliver a petition with over 500 signatures in support of HB 2462 to the Majority and Minority Chairs of the House State Government Committee.
HB 2462 amends the PA Election Code further providing for qualifications of electors at primaries by deleting the requirement that a voter be enrolled in a political party. A person registered as an independent or nonparty voter may vote for the candidates of the party of the voter’s choice, the choice to be made at the polling place on the day of the primary election. The prime sponsor, Rep. Chris King (D-Langhorne), and the co-sponsors of the legislation have been invited to attend and speak at the press conference.
Currently, state numbers show that 374,000 voters are registered as “non-affiliated”. This number does not include registered voters who note other non-partisan affiliations such as “none” or “no party”, so the real number is likely to be much higher. In addition, many affiliated voters register with a major party to vote in primaries, but consider themselves independent.
Independent Pennsylvanians is an association of independent and independent-minded voters. We support issues and campaigns at the local, state and national level designed to increase the visibility and power of independent voters in Pennsylvania—now the fastest growing political force in America.