Questions posed to candidates by the League of Women Voters.
1.The voter ID law for Pennsylvania has been postponed for this election. What do you as a candidate feel is valid or invalid about this law?
2. a (for state offices). Please point out your greatest point of disagreement with your political party on the state level and elaborate on why you take issue.
2. b (for federal offices). Please point out your greatest point of disagreement with your political party on the federal level and elaborate on why you take issue.
DEMOCRAT
Mike Hanna
Lock Haven
Date of birth: Aug. 25, 1953
Education: 1971, LHHS; 1977, Lock Haven University, B.A.; 1980, University of Pittsburgh, J.D.; 2009, honorary doctorate of public service-LHU.
Occupation: Legislator
Qualifications: Serving as the whip in House Democrat leadership; majority chairman, House Agriculture and Rural Affairs (2006-10); member of the board of governors, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education; board of directors, PA Parks and Forest Foundation (2007-10).
Answer 1. There is no evidence of voter fraud in Pennsylvania, so there is no need for this law. Voting is a constitutional right and government should be encouraging voting, not enacting roadblocks to voting. Pennsylvania should be allowing late registration, early voting and liberal absentee balloting, so more people have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote.
Answer 2. Both parties have stood in the way of meaningful reform by blocking campaign finance reform and redistricting reform. These two issues must be addressed so that we have meaningful competitive elections and prohibit the drawing of one-party districts and prohibit the buying of elections.