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Ballot Question No. 1
Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to provide an exception to the customary legislative procedure requiring legislative acts to be presented to the Governor for approval or veto where by concurrent resolution, the General Assembly votes to terminate or extend, in whole or in part, a disaster emergency declaration issued by the Governor?
This question represents an effort by Republicans to strip Governor Wolf of the emergency powers he used to shut down businesses and restrict gatherings – a decision which no doubt saved tens of thousands of lives. Republican lawmakers tried to end the state of emergency and “open Pennsylvania.” Wolf vetoed that attempt. This question would remove the Governor’s ability to veto such laws, and remove an important check and balance from our Constitution.
The Second Ward recommends voting NO on this ballot question.
Ballot Question No. 2
Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended by adding a new section providing that no declaration of emergency shall last longer than 21 days without the approval of the General Assembly, and requiring the General Assembly to pass laws governing the management of any public emergency?
This question also relates to Governor Wolf’s efforts to combat COVID-19. It would shorten the length of a state of emergency from 90 days to 21, and require the approval of the Republican-controlled legislature for any extension of a state of emergency. This is a brazen attempt by Republican lawmakers to seize powers that our Constitution places squarely in the hands of the Governor.
The Second Ward recommends voting NO on this ballot question.
Ballot Question No. 3
Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended by adding a new section providing that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of an individual’s race or ethnicity?
This question would add a new fundamental right to the Pennsylvania Constitution. It would prohibit the denial of any other right under the Constitution on the basis of race or ethnicity.
The Second Ward recommends voting YES on this ballot question.
Ballot Question No. 4
We do not take a position on this Ballot Question.
Ballot Question No. 5
We do not take a position on this Ballot Question.