Join us in our campaign to protect Pennsylvania voters from losing their vote through intimidation or machine or human error. Common Case Pennsylvania is recruiting hundreds of volunteers to work as volunteer poll watchers on Election Day. Under the direction of our staff, these volunteers will visit polling places to make sure that proper procedures are being followed, and incidents of voter intimidation or faulty machines are reported and investigated.
Volunteers are need in every part of the state. In 2004, thousands of Pennsylvanians were threatened with the loss of their vote due to
• Unprocessed Voter Registrations
• Partisan voter challenges, voter intimidation and deception
• Language barriers
• Incorrect use of emergency and provisional ballots
• Inadequate preparation by election officials.
The 2008 elections are considered by many to be most important in more than a half century. This Election Day, if a voter is wrongly denied the right to vote, or if faulty voting machines or faulty election procedures threaten the integrity of our election, you can help Common Cause identify the problem and take corrective action before it is too late. By investing just a few hours of your time, you can help make sure that, for the next few years, our state and country are governed by those elected officials voters meant to support on election day.
To volunteer and find out when you can attend a short training that will qualify you to help us on Election Day, please fill out this form.
Rally to Recapture the Flag!
Sept. 1, 2008: Join us on Constitution Day for a citizens' rally and press conference to end the abuse of power at the federal and state levels!
When: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 4:00pm Where: The Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch Street in Philadelphia
Speakers: Bob Edgar, President of Common Cause Jim Eisenhower, Founding Co-Chair of Common Cause Philadelphia
Liz Holtzman, former U.S. Representative and constitutional expert Barry Kauffman, Executive Director of Common Cause Pennsylvania
There is no cost to attend the rally, but RSVPs are appreciated so we will know to expect you.
We are also holding a reception at the Fork Restaurant (306 Market Street in Philadelphia) from 5:30pm to 7:00pm. Tickets for the reception are $100 and proceeds benefit the Common Cause Education Fund's work in Pennsylvania..
Please join us for a special screening of the documentary film, Uncounted.
Monday, June 16th, 2008
7:00 p.m.
East Wing Rotunda of the Capitol Building
Harrisburg
No Admission Fee – Public Welcome
Watch the trailer:
Uncounted, by Emmy award winning director David Earnhardt is an explosive new documentary showing how the election fraud that changed the outcome of 2004 election led to greater fraud in 2006. With 51 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties using paperless electronic voting machines it is at particular risk in 2008. This controversial 80 minute film examines in factual, logical and yet startling terms how easy it is to change election outcomes and undermine election integrity across the U.S. Beyond increasing public awareness about how votes are counted in America, Uncounted inspires greater citizen involvement in fixing a broken electoral system.
There will be a Q&A session after the film, featuring Marybeth Kuznik who appears in the film. (Sponsored by the Common Cause Education Fund, and VOTEPA.)
For more information, call 717-232-9951.
Redistricting Reform - Time to Act!
We are at a pivotal point for redistricting reform.
Government accountability is not possible without competitive elections, and the current redistricting process is designed to eliminate competition from most legislative elections. It also is used by legislative leaders as a tool to reward or punish rank-and-file lawmakers law based on their compliance with leadership’s directions.
* Better choices on election day;
* More government accountability to citizens after election day;
* Government with less political confrontation; and
* Lawmakers more likely to vote their conscience, because leadership can not threaten to redistrict them out of a job (something only voters should do).
The House and Senate State Government Committees will vote on this legislation by the first week of June. Then we will have a short time to get the leadership to schedule votes on these bills (HB-2420 and SB-346). If we do not succeed in passing this legislations before the summer recess, we will miss the opportunity to make these reforms effective for the 2011 redistricting, and will have to wait until 2021 for reforms to go into effect.
• That big money and lobbyists really control the government?
You are not alone! Don't give up! Join us.
Common Cause has been working on those very issues, and a lot more, for over thirty years.
Help us restore open, honest, and accountable government.
We work for Pennsylvanians
Common Cause/Pennsylvania is a non-profit, non-partisan citizens' lobby organization. We believe that by banding together, citizens can make a difference. We throw a spotlight on issues that affect all Pennsylvanians. We work to strengthen public participation and to ensure that the political process serve the public interest, rather than the special interest.
Contact Common Cause/Pennsylvania Executive Director Barry Kauffman at ccpa@dejazzd.com or (717) 232-9951.
