Gov. Wolf Proposes Voter Registration, Absentee Ballot Changes

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HARRISBURG, Pa. (KDKA) - Young people marching in Pittsburgh and across America this past weekend calling for changes in public policy on guns from state and federal lawmakers must confront one reality -- they don't vote.

"It's really, really important for people who are my age who will be able to vote in the next election to start making a difference now," said one young marcher in Washington, DC, at the March for Our Lives rally.

But less than half the young people aged 18 to 29 bothered to vote in the 2016 presidential election.

In contrast, 70 percent of those over 60 voted.

"It's critically important that our election system be fair and easily accessible," said Gov. Wolf on Monday.

At the state Capitol, Wolf endorsed plans to make it easier for all Pennsylvanians to register to vote.

"Let's start with same-day registration. Legislature should take up proposals to allow citizens to register to vote on election day," said Wolf.

Fifteen states from California to Maine have same-day registration -- allowing citizens with proof of residency and identity to register at the same place as they vote.

"No excuse absentee ballots," Wolf said. "We must update our archaic absentee ballot system to reflect the modern lives of voters by providing no-excuse absentee ballots."

Now only the sick, disabled or those out-of-town on election day can vote absentee in Pennsylvania.

Wolf wants to extend that to anyone who would prefer to vote absentee. Twenty-seven states already have no-excuse absentee voting.

The governor also called for limits on campaign contributions -- now unlimited in Pennsylvania -- and a non-partisan commission to draw legislative and congressional districts and end gerrymandering.

"All of these changes simply make sense and will streamline our current system and make it easier to navigate and understand for our citizens," Wolf said.