Keystone State Government and Politics

Contributed by Olga Vanucci.

In the May 18 primary election in Pennsylvania there are three ballot questions to amend the state constitution. Everyone can vote on the questions, regardless of party affiliation.

• Questions 1 and 2 will limit the Governor’s ability to manage disasters. Some members of the General Assembly have been opposed to Gov. Tom Wolf’s use of disaster declaration throughout the pandemic which, so far, has been upheld when challenged in court.  This is an attempt to thwart that. 
• Question 3  provides that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of an individual’s race or ethnicity.  This may sound good, but actually it’s not broad enough.  Also, federal law already contains these protections, and more broad ones at that.

The League of Women Voters have provided more information on the questions, including a video: 

Three questions on May 18 Primary Ballot | MyLO (lwv.org)

League of Women Voters- Questions on the 2021 Election Ballot – YouTube