The 2019 Act 77 election law enabled “mail-in ballot voting” in Pennsylvania. Many Republicans are totally against this practice. I am against this practice. However, we are stuck with it. Until Republicans actually win control of the Pennsylvania House, Senate and governorship, it will not change.
Recent elections substantiate the Democrats’ dominance in local races even though Republican registration outpaces the Democrats by a 50%-38% margin in North Huntingdon. The Dems are winning because of the “mail-in vote.” They have outworked us by getting their voters to apply for mail-in ballots. Therefore, on Election day, due to mail-in balloting, the Democrats already have a substantial lead when the polls open at 7 a.m. No candidate can overcome this.
Election Day apathy by Republicans in North Huntingdon had 6,000 registered Republican voters who chose to not vote.
We may not like it, but we have to play the game with the cards we are dealt. Mail-in balloting affords you a convenience. Do you realize that the upcoming Pennsylvania primary is April 23, not in May as it has been recently? Are you sure that you will not be sick? Are you certain that nothing will interfere with your ability to physically get to the polls? A family emergency? We can not control the future but we can make sure of our ability to cast our vote.
Republicans must close the gap on mail-in voting. If not, we may never win another election.
Rich Walczak
North Huntingdon
The writer is a committeeman for Westmoreland County Republican Committee’s District 3.