With some degree of social isolation measures still likely needed in the fall, it's more important than ever to pass Philadelphia Rep. Kevin Boyle's bill that would expand Pennsylvania’s Vote-by-Mail system and mail every voter a ballot application.

Just like people can flatten the curve of emergency room admissions by self-isolating, we can flatten the curve of application requests by encouraging voters to cast Vote-by-Mail ballots throughout the 50-day early voting window in Pennsylvania, and by requesting their ballots as early as possible. Request yours today. 

Normally voters will need to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot online or at the county election office, but Rep. Boyle's bill would send a pre-paid mail-in ballot application automatically to every registered voter in Pennsylvania.

This bill is must-pass legislation for several important reasons during this public health emergency:

- Protecting Voting Access. Just because there is an emergency doesn't mean we need to compromise our election and voter participation. We have a way that everyone can participate without putting their health at risk, that is straightforward, scalable, and affordable.

- Protecting Election Workers. Many election day workers who run our polling places are older adults who will need to take extra precautions during the pandemic. PA's county election boards have already seen a worrisome shortage of workers in normal times, and coronavirus concerns will only make that recruitment gap harder to fill. The Vote-by-Mail program can help take some of the pressure off.

- Diverting Election Day Crowds to the Mail. In addition to the election day worker recruitment issues, in-person voting is also going to take longer because Presidential elections tend to see the highest-ever turnout in the 4-year cycle, and voters and workers are still on the learning curve for Philly's new voting machines. That could mean long lines at the polls in some places. Even putting aside the public health emergency, there has been a good reason for election officials to want to shift more Election Day crowds to the mail, and flatten the curve of voting across the 50-day early voting period.

Want to help get the word out? Here's what you can do:

1. Add your name to the petition, and share it on social media

2. Find your state representatives and call their offices to tell them to co-sponsor HB 2637, sponsored by Rep. Kevin Boyle. (A companion bill has not yet been introduced in the state Senate, but we'll update this petition if it happens.)

3. Sign up online to receive a Vote-by-Mail ballot and share the link with everyone you know: friends and family, colleagues, your neighborhood's Facebook groups 

We'll share updates on the bill as it progresses. Share any feedback or responses from your representatives with us at [email protected].