Representative Daryl Metcalfe

12th District

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Media Contact: Ty McCauslin

717.772.9979

RepMetcalfe.com / Facebook.com/RepMetcalfe

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 4, 2020

PA Lawmakers Circulating Petition for Special Session on Election Issues

HARRISBURG – Pursuant to Article II, Section 4 of the Pennsylvania Constitution which states that “Special sessions shall be called by the Governor on petition of a majority of the members elected to each House,” Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler), Senator-Elect Cris Dush (R-25), Rep. Stephanie Borowicz (R-Centre/Clinton), Rep. Jim Cox (R-Berks/Lancaster), Rep. Russ Diamond (R-Lebanon), Rep. Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin), Rep. Dawn Keefer (R-York/Cumberland), Rep. David Maloney (R-Berks), Rep. Dan Moul (R-Adams), Rep. Mike Puskaric (R-Allegheny/Washington), Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Crawford/Forest), Rep. David Rowe (R-Snyder/Union), Rep. Frank Ryan (R-Lebanon) and Rep. Dave Zimmerman (R-Lancaster) are circulating the following petition for lawmaker signatures in the state House and Senate:

PETITION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

FOR A SPECIAL SESSION ON ELECTION ISSUES

We, the undersigned Members of the General Assembly, recognize the substantial need to address the variety of election issues that have amassed during the 2020 Presidential Election.

The conflicting guidance provided by Pennsylvania Courts and this Administration in the months, weeks and even days before the election of 2020 caused substantial confusion among voters with regard to the intent and application of Pennsylvania’s election laws. Pennsylvanians deserve an election process that is fair, transparent, secure and reliable, where every legally cast vote is counted. Unfortunately, substantial questions remain that have thus far gone unanswered regarding the 2020 election that require the General Assembly to examine and fulfill its duty to conduct legislative oversight of the agencies empowered by law to conduct elections in this Commonwealth.

We further recognize there is a limited amount of time for the General Assembly to address any necessary statutory changes to Pennsylvania’s election laws before the next election cycle in the Commonwealth. These extraordinary circumstances require the General Assembly to return to session prior to the date and time established pursuant to Article II, Section 4 of the Pennsylvania Constitution (i.e. noon on January 5, 2021). This section of the Constitution also provides that “Special sessions shall be called by the Governor on petition of a majority of the members elected to each House…”.

Pursuant to Article II, Section 4 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, we hereby petition the Governor to call the General Assembly into a special session immediately for the purpose of allowing the General Assembly to organize and begin the deliberative legislative process, including holding hearings relating to the issues raised during the 2020 elections and considering any and all remedial legislation necessary to ensure a fair, transparent, secure and reliable electoral process, where every legally cast vote is counted.

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