Gov. Wolf Vetoes Election Reform Bill, Voting Machine Funding

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has vetoed a bill making changes to the state's voting law, including eliminating straight-party voting and reforming the absentee ballot process. Senate Bill 48 was also tied to millions of dollars in funding for new voting machines.

Wolf, in his veto message, said the bill would not increase voter participation. "This failure is a missed opportunity to enact meaningful voting reforms," he said.

The bill, sponsored by Republican Senator John Gordner, sought to make several changes to the state's election law while providing up to $90 million for new voting machines.

In addition to eliminating the option to straight-party vote, the bill would have created a legislative commission when an administration seeks to decertify voting machines in at least 50 percent of counties statewide.

"This legislation, while purporting to secure elections, binds the hands of future administrations through a decertification procedure which weakens the ability of the commonwealth and counties to quickly respond to flaws that would require the decertification of large numbers of machines fewer than 180 days before an election," the Governor said in his veto message.

Wolf also took issue with eliminating straight party ballot voting.

"This policy choice removes a convenient voting option which is used by voters of any party affiliation. To implement such a change, particularly as new machines are being used for the first time, could lead to voter confusion and longer lines at the polls. These factors may lead to decreased voter participation, which, again, is in conflict with an inclusive approach to our system of elections."