Lawmakers propose automatic recounts in close elections
HARRISBURG – With the 2000 presidential election and the Florida debacle still fresh in their minds, a group of Democratic lawmakers on Monday introduced a bill to mandate an automatic recount whenever the margin between the top two candidates is .5 percent or less. State Rep. Babette Josephs (D-Philadelphia) said in introducing the bill that history is full of close elections. While the George Bush-Al Gore contest is the most famous, she also pointed to last year’s Superior Court race in Pennsylvania that was decided by just 28 votes and took 10 weeks to pick a winner.
“The legislation will set up parameters to help determine a clear winner in a close statewide race,” Josephs said.
Offering support for Josephs’ bill were representatives from the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus and the state director of the American Civil Liberties Union. But more importantly for the bill’s chance of passage is the stated support of House leaders and the governor.
Last week, Speaker of the House John Perzel said he supported an automatic recount in close elections, and the State Republican Committee has also endorsed the idea. Gov. Ed Rendell said he is in favor of the legislation. And aides to both House Minority Leader Bill DeWeese (D-Waynesburg) and House Minority Whip Mike Veon (D-Beaver) said Monday that those lawmakers would vote for automatic recount legislation.
Josephs, who is also minority chairwoman of the House State Government Committee, said Monday that the bill she is introducing is the Rendell administration’s version of the legislation.
Under the bill, the secretary of state would be forced to order a recount in close elections in judicial races and ballot questions as well as for other elected offices. The rules for the recount would be the same as the guidelines currently in effect when election results are challenged.
State Rep. Leanna Washington (D-Philadelphia) said it is particularly important to get the bill passed and put into effect before next month’s general election because the presidential contest could be close.
More than 5 million votes are expected to be cast in Pennsylvania on Nov. 2, and Washington said a record number of new voters have been registered in Philadelphia.
“To ensure minority voter participation, we must ensure every vote is counted,” she said.
Currently, 18 states have automatic recounts in close elections. Florida is among those states.
Rick Martinez can be reached at 717-705-6330 or rmartinez@calkins-media.com.