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For Immediate Release
May 4, 2001
White: May 15th Primary Includes Two
Proposed Constitutional Amendments
Harrisburg – State Sen. Mary Jo White
(R-21) today reminded area residents to vote in the primary
election scheduled for Tuesday, May 15, particularly in
light of two ballot questions that would amend the state
constitution if approved.
“Elections like the one on May 15th that
don’t include a presidential contest tend to draw few
voters, and that’s a problem,” said White. “There are many
races to be decided that will impact our communities. We
will elect judges, borough council members and school board
members, as well as take action on two measures on the
ballot to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution. The
input of voters is very important.”
White said the two ballot questions deal
with retiring judges and the reapportionment of senatorial
districts.
The first question would require any
newly created senatorial district -- one that does not
include an incumbent senator -- to elect a senator at the
next general election, even if the district would not
ordinarily be scheduled for an election that year.
If a reapportionment plan creates
a new senatorial district, and that district does not
contain the residence of the senator who previously
represented that district, then the new district would elect
a senator in the next general election, said White.
“It is designed to avoid a
situation where the people of a district would be
represented by a senator for whom none of them voted,” said
White.
White said the second question would
require judges to retire on the last day of the year in
which they turn 70, rather than on their 70th birthday as
currently required. The change would reduce the number
of interim judicial vacancies that must be filled by
appointment.
As required for constitutional
amendments, both ballot questions were approved by the
General Assembly in two consecutive sessions, once during
the 1998 legislative session, and again during the 2000
session.
“We can’t have a presidential election
every year – for which some folks are probably grateful,”
said White. “Primaries such as the one on May 15th may
get less attention, but they are important. I hope voters in
the 21st Senatorial District will exercise their right to
vote, and voice their opinion on local and judicial races,
as well as the proposed constitutional amendments.”
CONTACT: Leigh Ramsey (717) 787-9684
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