The Task Force recommended moving the presidential and state primary elections to an earlier date to provide Pennsylvanians with a greater voice in the selection of the President considering its electoral importance based on population. The Task Force recommended establishing the first Tuesday in March as the date of the primary election on a trial basis during the 2008 and 2012 presidential election years.

Established on December 13, 2004, by Executive Order 2004-11, Governor Rendell created the 13-member Task Force to review several critical aspects of the election process. The Task Force members were appointed by the Governor, leaders of the General Assembly's four caucuses, the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) and the Pennsylvania League of Woman Voters.

"The Task Force believes that the recommendations in the Final Report provide a solid foundation for election reform and further the ultimate goal of increasing voter participation in the Commonwealth," Cortes said. "I commend my fellow Task Force members for their hard work, diligence and commitment to this project, and their willingness to improve Pennsylvania's electoral processes. I look forward to working with Governor Rendell and the General Assembly to continue guaranteeing open and fair elections for all citizens of the Commonwealth."

The Task Force also recommended providing so called "no-excuse" absentee ballots that would allow voters to cast their votes via absentee ballot if unable to vote at their polling place for any reason.

  In its Final Report, the Task Force also recommends:

  -- Authorizing the use of the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) in
     all elections for all offices.
  -- Designating the date of the primary and general election as a school
     in-service day.
  -- Specifying polling place accessibility requirements and standards for
     compliance.
  -- Allowing the use of "curbside voting."  Curbside voting will allow a
     voter with a disability to vote at his or her assigned polling place
     by paper ballot or other means, but outside of the building where the
     polling place is located.
  -- Incorporating federal law regarding alternative language accessibility
     into Pennsylvania law.
  -- Adopting the Voting Standards Development Board report "What
     Constitutes a Vote."

"The Task Force conducted a diligent review of the six tasks assigned," Cortes said. "This included research and review of issues and articles relevant to the tasks, Department of State presentations, guest presentations, public commentary and debate and deliberation of policy issues and motions," Cortes said.

The "Final Votes" for each task are included in Appendix A of the Final Report.

For more information about the Pennsylvania Election Reform Task Force, or to view or download the report, visit the Task Force Web site at http://www.dos.state.pa.us/.

  Task Force members included:

  -- Pedro A. Cortes, Chairman, Secretary of the Commonwealth; gubernatorial
     appointee.
  -- Gladys Brown, Deputy Chief Counsel to the Senate Minority Leader;
     appointed by Sen. Robert J. Mellow, Senate Minority Leader.
  -- Robert L. Byer, Attorney, Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham LLP;
     former Judge of the Court of Judicial Discipline of the Commonwealth
     of Pennsylvania; former Judge of the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court;
     appointed by Senator Robert C. Jubelirer, President Pro Tempore.
  -- State Rep. Gene DiGirolamo, 18th District, PA House of Representatives;
     appointed by Rep. John M. Perzel, Speaker of the House.
  -- Lesa Gelb, Attorney, Cefalo & Associates; gubernatorial appointment.
  -- Donna Gority, County Commissioner, Blair County; appointed by CCAP.
  -- Douglas E. Hill, Executive Director, County Commissioners Association
     of Pennsylvania; appointed by CCAP.
  -- Barry Kauffman, Executive Director, Common Cause of Pennsylvania;
     gubernatorial appointment.
  -- William H. Lamb, Attorney, Lamb McErlane PC; Judge of the Court of
     Judicial Discipline of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; former
     Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court; gubernatorial appointment.
  -- Lora Lavin, Government Specialist Representative; appointed by the
     League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania.
  -- Robert Lee, Jr., Voter Registration Administrator, Philadelphia County;
     appointed by H. William DeWeese, House Minority Leader.
  -- Joseph R. Passarella, Director of Voter Services, Montgomery County;
     appointed by CCAP.
  -- Daniel Shea, Director, Center for Political Participation and Associate
     Professor of Political Science, Allegheny College; gubernatorial
     appointment.

  CONTACT:  Allison Hrestak
            Brian McDonald
            (717) 783-1621

Source: Pennsylvania Department of State

CONTACT: Allison Hrestak or Brian McDonald, +1-717-783-1621, both of
Pennsylvania Department of State

Web site: http://www.dos.state.pa.us/