Welcome to your new polling place:
Showing the kind of common sense that it has come to be known for, the Pennsylvania State Legislature passed a bill to limit the use of private homes as polling places with less than 2 weeks to go before the May 16th primary. Nothing like giving people plenty of time to tell voters that their polling place has changed.
I've heard some great stories about the kinds of structures that pass for polling places in this city. Apparently one division locates their voting booths in a tool shed on a vacant lot while another uses what looks like a crack house with boarded up windows and a single light bulb dangling from the ceiling. Then there's the dimly lit, dank corner bars that serve as the locus of democracy twice a year. Anyone else have a good story about a uniquely Philadelphia polling place?
I will agree that it seems a little strange that some polling places are actually located inside ward offices and the homes of politicians.
One of our WHYY reporters, Susan Phillips, got some reaction to this bill from one of Philly's ward leaders who explains what this will mean to her voters. I'll update with that when it becomes available.
UPDATE: I guess I got my "righteous indignation" level up a little too quickly. Any changes to polling place location according to this law would take place in November and only if Governor Rendell signs it.
UPDATE 2: Click here to listen to the WHYY story that aired this morning. Includes comments from Councilwoman Marian Tasco and PA ACLU Pres. Larry Frankel.
Comments (1)
The Republicans are right.
Posted by frank | May 11, 2006 9:47 AM