Holiday Happenings

17 Tishrei 5784 - October 4, 2023

Voter ID is currently on the table in the PA House. Pennsylvania lawmakers are once again considering expanding the state’s voter ID requirements, this time as part of a larger proposal to change the date of the 2024 presidential primary.
The Democratic-controlled state House is expected to consider a Republican-authored amendment this week that would require voters to show proof of identification every time they cast a ballot in person. Currently, state law requires voters to show proof of identification the first time they vote at a polling place.
We need to make sure this doesn't make it to the floor for a vote. We have about 24 hours to do so. 

Take these steps by 5pm TODAY!

1. Find your State Rep’s phone number.

2. Script for your call:
Hi, my name is [your name]. I am calling as a proud Jew and member of [your congregation], which is a leader in the statewide Reform Jewish social justice movement RAC-Pennsylvania.

Is [your State Rep] currently supporting the bill that would move the primary in 2024? [if yes] Please thank them for me, as a Jew, so it does not conflict with Passover and it will be easier for me and my community to Vote. At the same time, I am asking that [your State Rep] insist this bill come back to committee so the Voter ID amendment can be removed and an Early Voting amendment can be added. As a Jew, I CANNOT support this bill which will increase voting access for us while limiting voting access for voters of color. Did you see Rabbi Beth Kalisch’s (of Beth David Reform Congregation on Gladwyne) Op-Ed on PennLive in April? If not, I will send it to you. [Ask for email to send it to]. She outlines what I am asking for.

3. Fill out this form to let us know how your call went!

4. Background:
Voter ID was just added as an amendment to a bill that would move the primary date earlier so as not to conflict with Passover.  We have a particular power in raising our voices on this issue as Jews to stand against a racist policy that is being attached to something that is supposed to benefit us. Together we can say NO!  PA Voice, our partner since 2020, is strongly opposed to a requirement for voter ID as it would greatly impact communities of color. They have been trying for a long time to get an amendment through to allow for Early Voting, so everyone has access to voting regardless of their availability on Election Day. 
In April, RAC-PA Leadership Team members Rabbi Beth Kalisch of Beth David Reform Congregation in Gladwyne & Rabbi Chuck Briskin of Shir Ami in Newtown wrote an op-ed outlining this exact position. The PA Senate passed a bill that would move the primary to March 19th. That is the bill that is now moving forward with supposed bipartisan support in the House.