Protecting our Democracy
The right to vote is one of the most basic promises of democracy. Our system of democratic governance is built upon the belief that every person is equal and free to both participate in their government and speak on the issues that impact their daily lives. It is through our vote that we express our values, voice our concerns, and ultimately determine the future of our community.
However, voting rights are currently under attack in America. Today’s Republican Party is waging a war on democracy itself. They want to make it harder to vote, to disenfranchise BIPOC communities, and to give special interest groups greater influence over our elections. Here in Pennsylvania (and elsewhere across the country), Republicans have perpetuated the Big Lie that the 2020 election was stolen. They pushed baseless and disproven conspiracy theories, orchestrated “fake elector schemes”, and initiated sham audits in order to cast doubt on the integrity of our electoral process. This is dangerous and wrong.
Joe believes that all Americans deserve the equal opportunity to make their voices heard, and he will continue to stand up in defense of our democratic institutions.
Expanding Voter Access
Joe believes our democracy is strongest when every voice is heard, which is why he strongly advocates for measures to make voting more accessible. Increased accessibility to the electoral process is integral to ensuring that every American can exercise their right to vote. While we have made progress in expanding voter access, many Pennsylvanians still face disproportionate challenges to participate in elections due to factors including health, age, race, and gender.
Joe supports instituting automatic voter registration in Pennsylvania. He opposes efforts to roll back recent voting rights gains, such as no-excuse early/mail-in voting. Instead, Joe wants to expand early voting sites and mail-in dropboxes to make it easier for Pennsylvanians to vote. Joe also supports the pre-canvassing of mail-in ballots which would allow county board of elections offices to begin counting ballots before Election Day, ensuring we have our election results as soon as possible.
Fighting Voter Suppression
Joe opposes any attempt to prevent or discourage certain Americans from registering to vote or casting their ballot.
In recent years, Republicans have cast doubt on the integrity of our elections to justify voter suppression measures in Pennsylvania. These measures often target specific groups based on race, ethnicity, political affiliation, age, or other aspects of voters’ identities. The most widely used forms of voter suppression include discriminatory voter ID and proof-of-citizenship restrictions, reduced polling place hours in communities of color, the elimination of early voting opportunities, and illegal purges of voters from the rolls.
Joe will not stand for this.
Getting Money out of Politics
Joe wants to ensure that our government serves the people, not wealthy special interests. He supports transparency, limiting SuperPACs, and eliminating dark money from politics.
Money in politics complicates and corrupts the system. When politicians receive large financial contributions from organizations, corporations, campaigns, or individuals, they are inclined to be more responsive to their needs. This puts the voices of everyday Americans at a disadvantage — and this is unacceptable.
Fair Districts
Before the recent redistricting process, the 177th District was among the worst gerrymandered districts in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. For decades, these neighborhoods were carved up to ensure they would send a Republican representative to Harrisburg in an otherwise overwhelmingly Democratic Philadelphia. Thankfully, the new map is much improved, but there is still room for further progress, both here and across the commonwealth.
Joe advocates for taking the redistricting function out of the hands of incumbent politicians who have a self-interest in choosing their own voters, and placing it in the hands of a nonpartisan commission. Joe endorses Fair Districts PA’s plan for a nonpartisan commission in charge of coming up with districts.
Additionally, Joe supports ending prison gerrymandering. Pennsylvania's redistricting commission took steps to address prison gerrymandering when it redrew state legislative lines after the 2020 Census, but it did not permanently solve the problem.
Joe believes voters should choose their elected officials instead of elected officials choosing their voters.