Electoral changes hit resistance

BILL O ’ BOYLE

boboyle@timesleader.com

A plan proposed by State Sen. Dominic Pileggi to change the electoral vote system in Pennsylvania has the support of Gov. Tom Corbett, but it has many detractors on both sides of the political spectrum.

Pileggi, a Republican from Chester, plans to soon introduce legislation designed “to more fairly allocate Pennsylvania’s electoral college votes in presidential elections.”

“There is no question that our current winner-take-all system for choosing electors does not reflect the diversity of Pennsylvania,” Pileggi said in a recent release. “This proposal will more fairly align Pennsylvania’s electoral college votes with the results of the popular vote. It will also make individual votes across the state more important, giving voters a more significant say in presidential elections.”

According to Pileggi’s office, Pennsylvania will have 20 electoral votes, one for each of the 18 members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the two U.S. senators who represent the Commonwealth. Under Pileggi’s proposal, two presidential electors would be chosen based on the statewide vote.

The other 18 would be chosen based on the vote for president in each congressional district.

Kirsten Page, a Corbett spokeswoman, said the governor supports the Pileggi proposal “because he feels it is the fairest way to distribute Pennsylvania’s electoral votes.”

But some Republicans, including Robert Gleason, chairman of the state GOP, are opposed to the plan, saying it will remove diminish the political clout that Pennsylvania has to the point that the state will no longer be considered pivotal to win in presidential elections.

U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Hazleton, said he understands the pros and the cons of the proposal.

“Those that support it believe that Pennsylvania’s electoral votes will go however Philadelphia and Pittsburgh vote and voters in other parts of the state don’t count as much,” Barletta said. “This would make everyone’s vote count. Those that oppose it believe that politically it will shift the national attention to their districts, targeting congressional seats. For me, it doesn’t matter, I’ve been targeted since the first day I was elected. It’s an interesting idea; I’m staying open minded on it.”

State Sen. John Yudichak, D-Plymouth Township, opposes the plan.

“It appears Republicans are not satisfied with comfortable majorities in Harrisburg,” he said. “They want a permanent majority beyond the approach of elections and will employ partisan tactics like gerrymandered districts, voter suppression measures, and now an assault on Pennsylvania’s right to vote for a president of the United States to achieve their ends.”

State Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, said people she hears from are more concerned about issues relating to jobs, natural gas drilling, education and disaster relief.

“The method for awarding electoral votes seems far down the public priority list at the moment,” she said. “The proposal is an interesting attempt to find a middle ground between those who want to eliminate the Electoral College and those who want to keep the existing system.”

State Rep. Gerald Mullery, D-Newport Township, said the proposal is political partisanship.

“It’s intended to rob many Pennsylvania voters of one of their most fundamental rights of citizenship – the right to have their vote for president count,” Mullery said.

State Sen. John Blake, D-Archbald, put the debate in perspective.

“It is unfortunate that the legislature continues to distract itself with issues like the Electoral College when there are tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians searching for employment,” Blake said. “Job creation needs to be our number one priority and unfortunately, the proposed changes to the Electoral College will not put anyone back to work.”

State Rep. Phyllis Mundy, D-Kingston, called the plan “outrageous.”

“This is an unfair attempt to stack the deck against Democrats,” she said. “I could never support it.”

Bill O’Boyle, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7218.