Boyle has introduced legislation to officially change Election Day nationwide to the weekend to increase voting turnout.
U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle has introduced legislation to officially change Election Day nationwide to the weekend after the first Friday in November to increase voting accessibility, engagement and turnout.
Boyle said, “Countless other developed nations around the world currently hold elections on weekends. We have seen, time and again, how low-voter turnout results in disenfranchisement, frustration and civic apathy. Weekend voting is a proven method that increases accessibility, engagement and turnout. If work, school or other responsibilities become a roadblock for citizens wishing to exercise their right to vote, then it is the government’s obligation to take steps to ease that burden. It can, and must, create a path to the voting booth for those American citizens who live with such challenges. Weekend voting makes sense, and would only serve to create an unmitigated path to the voting booth that ultimately benefits our democracy.”
Dating to 1845, elections in the United States have been held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
Based on recent election results, voter turnout in the United States ranks 26th out of the 32 countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development — nations that are primarily considered highly developed, democratic states.
State Rep. Kevin Boyle, the congressman’s younger brother, plans to introduce similar legislation for Pennsylvania.
“People should not be forced to decide between work, family responsibilities and participation in our democratic process. At this point in history, we need to make a move to encourage and facilitate the right to vote, not restrict it,” Kevin Boyle said. “Holding on to having the elections on a Tuesday is a deliberate effort to make voting difficult for people. It may have worked in the past, but now it just serves to inhibit people from voting. Specifically, when we know that a considerable amount of nonvoters have cited ‘too busy or conflicting schedule’ as the main reason not to vote, it’s long past time to fix this.”
••
Mike Meehan, re-elected last week as chairman of the Philadelphia Republican Party, condemned Mayor Jim Kenney for his reaction to a ruling by U.S. District Judge Michael Baylson that the Trump administration cannot withhold grants from Philadelphia for refusing to help enforce immigration laws.
Kenney danced, sung, “I’m a sanctuary city,” and high-fived chief of staff Jane Slusser.
“The Trump administration never suggested that ICE patrol the streets of Philadelphia, questioning law-abiding citizens about their citizenship status. They requested cooperation from Philadelphia authorities when an undocumented immigrant breaks additional laws. Philadelphia has one of the highest violent crime rates in the country, and certainly has enough on its plate keeping its own citizens safe from other citizens, let alone those who are not authorized to be here,” Meehan said.
“Assistance from ICE to remove undocumented immigrants adding to the crime statistics in Philadelphia is what the mayor should have celebrated, not the reverse. We are a nation of laws, and common-sense approaches to problem solving should be the pursuit and goal as Judge Baylson had earlier sought. This is more nonsensical virtue signaling to the Democratic Party’s radical base, rather than implementing the necessary changes to increase quality of life for the average Philadelphia resident.”
••
Scott Wagner, the Republican candidate for governor, resigned from the state Senate last week and gave a farewell address on the Senate floor.
Wagner recalled what he noticed when he was elected in 2014,
“Pennsylvania does not have a revenue problem, it has spending and mismanagement problem,” he said.
Wagner talked about spending time in all parts of the state.
“In Philadelphia, there are neighborhoods dealing with staggering violence and unimaginable poverty.,” he said. “I am very disturbed that elementary school children in Philadelphia are in buildings in deplorable condition, that flaking paint chips are falling from ceilings on to their desks and some children are eating those paint flakes and getting lead poisoning. I don’t care what political party you are from — this is very wrong. I’ve heard my colleague Sen. (Vincent) Hughes passionately advocate for these schools and I look forward to working with him when I am back here as governor to try to right this wrong. I don’t understand how, 10 miles from Philadelphia, there are opulent school campuses being built — but in Philadelphia, school buildings are crumbling.”
Wagner said he wants to make sure more education funding gets into classrooms. He also wants to know why Pennsylvania, with a high gasoline tax, has roads with potholes, trash and overgrown brush and trees.
If elected, he’ll implement zero-based budgeting, rein in regulations and make the state more customer friendly for taxpayers and businesses.
••
Daryl Boling, the Democratic candidate in the 152nd Legislative District, will be hosting a meet-and-greet event on July 1 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Lord’s New Church, 1725 Huntingdon Road, Huntingdon Valley.
The event is open to the public. Guest speakers will include state Reps. Tim Briggs and Madeleine Dean, a congressional candidate.
“I look forward to the opportunity to gather together family and friends and share a moment of gratitude as we look back at the accomplishments and sacrifices made in service of this great nation, as well as a discussion of all that we can be doing as citizens to assure that generations to come can be assured that same promise of freedom.” Boling said.
Refreshments will be provided.
••
Kenney for Philadelphia is fundraising off the dispute between President Donald Trump and the Eagles.
The Eagles were supposed to visit the White House last week to be honored for winning Super Bowl LII, but Trump rescinded the invitation when only a small contingent planned to attend.
In a tweet, Mayor Jim Kenney said Trump was engaging in “pathetic juvenile antics” and “childish behavior.”
In a fundraising email, Kenney wrote, “Here’s the thing Trump doesn’t realize about Philadelphia: we don’t scare easy, we’re not intimidated by bullies, and we don’t back down from a fight — especially when it involves standing up for social justice and defending the rights of women, immigrants, LGBTQ citizens, people of color, the disabled or our economically disadvantaged communities.”
Later, Kenney wrote, “I need you now to help me by chipping in so we can keep fighting for Philadelphia and stand up to injustice.” ••
