Latest News from State Capitol and 55th District

July 24, 2025

Proposal Seeks to Eliminate Hometown Bias in Elections
 
In the pursuit of fair and transparent elections, every detail on a ballot matters.

One seemingly minor piece of information, the candidate’s county or municipality of residence, has long been included on primary ballots. While this practice may have historical roots, it’s time to reconsider its relevance. I am introducing commonsense reform legislation to eliminate the requirement that primary ballots list a candidate’s county or municipality of residence.

The inclusion of a candidate’s residence on a primary ballot provides little, if any, meaningful information to voters. In today’s interconnected world, where information about candidates is readily available through campaign websites, debates, social media and public forums, listing a candidate’s hometown or county is an outdated practice. It offers no insight into a candidate’s qualifications, policy positions, or vision for the office they seek. Instead, it risks introducing confusion or bias, potentially swaying voters based on irrelevant geographic considerations rather than substantive merits.

Consider a voter scanning a primary ballot. They see names, party affiliations, and, in many cases, a town or county next to each candidate’s name. This additional detail can inadvertently influence decisions, particularly in crowded primaries where voters may lack familiarity with all candidates. A voter might subconsciously favor a candidate from their own county or dismiss one from a distant municipality, even if that candidate’s platform aligns more closely with their values. In rural or urban divides, this can exacerbate regional biases, skewing outcomes in ways that have nothing to do with a candidate’s ability to serve.

The argument for keeping residence information often hinges on tradition or the notion that it provides “context.” But context about what?

A candidate’s residence does not reflect their competence, integrity, or policy priorities. If voters seek background information, they have access to far more comprehensive resources that provide a fuller picture. Ballots should be tools for conveying a voter’s choice in candidate, not relics of outdated assumptions about voter needs.

Here in the 55th district, this issue hits close to home. I live in the district’s most populated area, which could tilt votes in my favor simply because more voters share my hometown. This geographic advantage, however unintentional, undermines the principle of fair competition. 

Notably, this requirement is absent in general election ballots, where candidates’ residences are not listed. This inconsistency highlights the lack of necessity for including such information in primary elections. If voters can make informed choices in general elections without listing candidates’ hometowns, they can do the same in primaries. The current practice creates an uneven playing field, introducing potential bias in primaries that doesn’t exist in the general election.

By removing this requirement, we can streamline ballots, reduce the potential for bias, and ensure voters focus on what truly matters: the candidates’ qualifications and ideas. Clean, clear ballots empower voters to make informed choices based on substance, not superfluous details.

This is a simple but meaningful step toward a fairer electoral process, one that prioritizes clarity and equality over outdated conventions. We can ensure primary ballots serve their true purpose: helping voters choose the best candidates to represent them, regardless of where they call home.
 
Here are some additional news topics and reminders I would like to share.
 
Mark Your Calendars for August Town Hall Events - Want to hear more about all that is happening in Harrisburg and in the 55th district? Please join me at one of my upcoming town halls scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 14, 5:30 – 7 p.m. at Lazarus' Tomb Coffee House, located at 1821 5th Ave. in Arnold, and Wednesday, Aug. 20, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Aluminum City Terrace Activity Center, located at Aluminum City Terrace in New Kensington. If you can’t make it, more town halls will be scheduled in the coming months! 
 
Applications Open for Broadband Funding
The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) recently announced the $1.16 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program will accept its second and final round of applications through Aug. 1. BEAD is a federal grant program that provides states with funding to deploy broadband infrastructure and connect residents to the internet. 

The goal is to expand broadband in unserved and underserved areas of the state to make sure high-speed internet is available to every resident by the end of the decade. It is estimated that over 100,000 Pennsylvanians in 42 counties currently have no service or struggle with poor service.

Eligible BEAD applicants include cooperative organizations; not-for-profit organizations; public-private partnerships; private companies; public or private utility companies; public utility districts; municipalities or units of local government; and internet service providers registered through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). 

For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development website, dced.pa.gov, go to Program and Funding, and enter BEAD in the perform a Search for Funding bar.

Important Student Aid Deadline! - First-time applicants planning to attend a community college, trade school or other eligible school have until Friday, Aug. 1, to submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for a PA State Grant in 2025-26. 

The PA State Grant Program is offered through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) and provides funding to eligible undergraduate students that does not have to be repaid. Visit pheaa.org for more information.  FAFSA applications can be completed at StudentAid.gov. 


Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com
RepJillCooper.com / Facebook.com/RepJillCooper