Election dates-plank

==Cost Cutter==
Real reform happens here, with these planks. Democracy is very important, but we can reform our system and still have a more vibrant process that saves money.
== Setting dates of elections should be sensible and affordable.==
* Special elections to fill vacated seats should be delayed so as to coincide with the next primary or general election date. 
: The special election for the 42nd PA Senate seat formerly held by Jack Wagner was held on May 17, 2005, the same date as the primary election, according for the seat formerly held by Eugene Ricciardi was held on March 14, 2006. This election could have been delayed until the May primary.
* The 2008 primary election that will include the selection of the US President should be in the spring as is Pennsylvania's tradition, and not moved to an earlier date as advocated by Ed Rendell.
=== Taxation without representation, perhaps.===
Special elections fill empty seats and give the citizens of that district representation. However, representation is not lost when one person resigns from a legislative body. Citizens still have the mayor for representation should a council member's seat be empty. Citzens with an empty seat in a PA Senate district still would have the State Representative and the Governor and Lt. Governor to represent them. 
* As a citizen, I often approach and communicate my desires to members of legislative bodies who are not my direct representative. I contact other city council members and others in the PA Senate, beyond my own representative. Citizens should go to others in the same legislative body to lobby for their concerns at all times, especially when the seat for their district is empty.
: If Pennsylvania had a uni-camel legislative body, then special elections would be more pressing. In PA's present bi-camel structure, special elections are less necessary.
* As a member of a legislative body, I'd work to serve the entire region, not only my own legislative district. I'd always field calls and concerns from people from throughout the region.
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"I know that the citizens (of District 42) would be without representation for three months under my plan, but these are trying times. The Governor raised state income taxes 30% back in 2004. The City of Pittsburgh, which comprises a good portion of District 42, is bankrupt and under the fiscal management of the state under Act 47. Under these circumstances, perhaps we should save some money and apply it toward the Pittsburgh bailout or toward finding new tenants at the Pittsburgh International Airport.
==Lieutenant Governor, Catherine Baker Noll, sets the date for special elections for the PA Senate.==
* Governor's office: 717-787-2500
* Lieutenant Governor's office: 717-787-3300
* Attn: Sal Sirabella, working in the Lt. Gov.'s office. Fax: 717-783-0150
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==Links==
* Election dates
category: Platform_Planks_from_Mark_Rauterkus
category: Democracy