Pennsylvania Jewish Legislative Caucus ‘very disappointed’ in General Assembly’s failure to move primary election date

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    October 26, 2023 | 10:52 AM

HARRISBURG, Oct. 26 – The Pennsylvania Jewish Legislative Caucus issued the following statement today regarding the failure of the Pennsylvania General Assembly to move the 2024 Primary Election date:  

“A year before the scheduled 2024 Presidential Primary Election date, the Jewish Legislative Caucus sent a letter to Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt expressing our concerns with the April 23 date, which falls on the first day of Passover. Passover is a significant holiday celebrated by members of the Jewish faith in Pennsylvania and throughout the world. The primary date conflicting with Passover will prohibit many Jews from voting in person, serving as volunteers at polling places and preventing synagogues from serving as polling locations.   

“Despite drawing attention to the date in question well in advance, we are very disappointed that as things currently stand, the Pennsylvania General Assembly has been unable to come to an agreement and move the primary date from conflicting with Passover. Multiple new dates have been considered in the intervening months, but to no avail.   

“While the Jewish Legislative Caucus is frustrated by the General Assembly’s inability to complete a seemingly simple task, we will not dwell on the disappointment of this situation. Instead, we will explore every possible option to allow voters of the Jewish faith to cast their votes and be engaged in the upcoming Presidential Primary Election. We encourage Pennsylvania’s elected officials to join us in robust outreach to Jewish communities throughout the commonwealth by making them aware of the option to vote absentee.”

The Pennsylvania Jewish Legislative Caucus is co-chaired by state Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, and state Sen. Judy Schwank, D-Berks. More information about the caucus and its members can be found at www.pahouse.com/JLC.