Press Release
Common Cause Pennsylvania: Election Night is Not Results Night
As voters head to the polls, Common Cause Pennsylvania is reminding voters that it may take days for election officials to finalize results.
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Media Contacts
Katie Scally
Director of communications
kscally@commoncause.org
(408) 205-1257
Press Release
Voting Reform Package Improves Access and Brings Election Codes into the Twenty-First Century
News Clip
Pa.’s election system is on the verge of the largest changes in decades — in time for the 2020 election
Micah Sims, head of Common Cause Pennsylvania, said that he supports the entire bill and that removal of the straight-party voting option is a positive one for voters. Invoking civil rights fights is inappropriate, he said.
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This Week in Pennsylvania – September 1
Our Executive Director, Micah Sims, was a guest on ABC27's This Week in Pennsylvania. On the program, he spoke about everything from census funding to election protection and more!
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Rep. DeLissio holds town hall session
While the other speakers agreed on an Article 5 convention, Sims disagreed.
“There’s a wide spectrum of issues that are calling for states to come together. Everything is open at an Article 5 convention. Why don’t we try to invest in everyday people? Pennsylvania could pass a bill.”
“There’s a wide spectrum of issues that are calling for states to come together. Everything is open at an Article 5 convention. Why don’t we try to invest in everyday people? Pennsylvania could pass a bill.”
News Clip
Commission: City real estate manager violated Ethics Act with purchase of house
Micah C. T. Sims, executive director of the watchdog group Common Cause Pennsylvania, applauded the commission for the finding of a violation, but wondered whether the remedy was sufficient.
“A slap on the hand is nice,” he said. But, he added, “This type of practice cannot continually go on.” He suggested that the city might take the house back and put it “up for sale again through the right process.”
“A slap on the hand is nice,” he said. But, he added, “This type of practice cannot continually go on.” He suggested that the city might take the house back and put it “up for sale again through the right process.”
Press Release
The Fight Is Not Over, Common Cause Pennsylvania Will Continue to Move Election Reform Forward
Press Release
Common Cause Pennsylvania Applauds State Investment in Voting Security, But There is Still More to Be Done
This funding is essential in helping to ensure secure and accurate elections here in Pennsylvania. Common Cause Pennsylvania, along with several key coalition partners, worked diligently and tirelessly throughout the legislative session to gain support from legislators, stakeholders and citizens, imploring them on the monumental importance of acquiring new machines for our future elections.
Press Release
2020 COMPLETE COUNT COMMITTEE REPORTS TO COMMONWEALTH, RECOMMENDS STATE FUNDING TO ENSURE ACCURATE CENSUS IN PA
HARRISBURG, Pa. (May 20, 2019) – The Pennsylvania Census 2020 Complete Count Commission is requesting state funding be added to the 2019-20 budget totaling an amount equal to $1 per person currently residing in the state to ensure a complete and accurate census count in 2020.
Press Release
Senate Bill 22….Again? We Say Not Good Enough…Again.
On Tuesday, April 9th the Senate State Government Committee will vote on Senate Bill 22, the same constitutional amendment from Spring 2018 which established a politician-appointed commission to draw legislative and congressional district lines. While we appreciate the continued commitment of Committee Chairs Mike Folmer, Anthony Williams and their colleagues as well as bill sponsor Senator Lisa Boscola to reforming the Pennsylvania redistricting process, as written, this bill is insufficient to address the concerns of Pennsylvanians who are...
Press Release
Gov. Wolf Names Common Cause to the Census 2020 Complete Count Commission
“It is impossible to diminish the importance of the census as the foundation of representative self-governance and every Americans’ ability to help shape the future of our families and communities. The census is critical to representation at all levels of government and the federal resources that support our states, communities, and constituencies." -- Micah Sims, Executive Director
Press Release
Common Cause PA Supports Formation of New Bipartisan Redistricting Commission
Common Cause Pennsylvania applauds Governor Tom Wolf’s efforts to address partisan gerrymandering in our state. Wolf’s executive order will give Pennsylvanians a chance to be heard on an important and fundamental question of our representative democracy – who represents our communities in the state legislature, the US House and Senate.
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Gina Cerilli, Westmoreland commissioner, joins Pittsburgh law firm
Sims said it is not unusual for elected officials, including many in the state Legislature, to hold jobs as lawyers in addition to their positions as state representatives and senators.
“We try to monitor to make sure the work doesn’t conflict with their state duties. As long as their work is not in direct conflict with their duties, we don’t see it as a problem,” Sims said.
“We try to monitor to make sure the work doesn’t conflict with their state duties. As long as their work is not in direct conflict with their duties, we don’t see it as a problem,” Sims said.