Pennsylvania voters have had the option to simply cast a ballot for a straight party ticket when they vote in elections, but a state lawmaker is hoping to change that.
State Senator Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh/Northampton) has introduced a bill that would eliminate the option to vote for the whole party, without selecting the individual candidates on the ballot.
“I’ve noticed because of straight ticket party voting, a lot of statewide ballot initiatives and local ballot initiatives are ignored,” Boscala said. “People forget to vote.”
Acting Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar says there would probably be a significant cost if the bill passes.
Pennsylvania is one of only eight states in the U.S. that currently have the straight ticket option on ballots.