Assembly to get soldier vote copy
Martin asks study before session
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (UP) –
Copies of proposed law changes to facilitate voting by Pennsylvania servicemen abroad will be sent to all members of the General Assembly for perusal before Governor Edward Martin convenes a special session of the Legislature.
An administration spokesman explained that while such a procedure might be condemned under normal circumstances:
We believe everyone will understand the Governor’s only motive is to guarantee our servicemen a reasonable chance to voter without incurring unnecessary expenses or causing too great a loss of manpower.
Disclosing that Attorney General James H. Duff is already preparing a draft of what Governor Martin hopes will be the “most liberal” soldier balloting law in the nation, the spokesman said the proposed statute would change the election calendar to give servicemen, Merchant Marines and members of other “war agencies” an extra 20 days, or 70 days in which to vote.
The measure would also eliminate party or non-partisan registration as a franchise prerequisite.
It was understood the Governor’s call, expected to be issued for May 1 convening of the Legislature, may include a measure to allow the State Defense Council to conduct a house-to-house canvass to obtain names and addresses of servicemen to facilitate mailing of absentee ballots.
The session will cost $360,000-$400,000 if completed in less than a month – but each member automatically will have $250 added to his base salary of $500 for an extraordinary session if the meeting goes as much as a day over a month. Governor Martin said all necessary action can be taken in two weeks and hinted he would object strenuously if the session is used as a springboard for the 1944 election campaign.