Independent
Pennsylvanians
Bill of Rights
We, Independent Pennsylvanians, in order to form a more perfect Commonwealth, resolve to renew and advance our alliance to strengthen Liberty, Integrity, and
Fairness in solidarity and openness towards all citizens. We are conscious of our common
achievements and responsibility towards all Pennsylvanians and know that those
remain free who use their freedom; Now, therefore, we declare our independence!
Independence
Article I
Independents hereby affirm our inalienable rights to choose our political lives and futures. We are
united in our commitment to advocating for an open, inclusive, non-partisan
political process. We want a restructuring of the
political process to revitalize democracy, to make it more energized, to give
Pennsylvanians more direct political control over policymaking, over
government, over the culture of political life.
Rights
Article II
We independents want open primaries; it is the solution to the partisan divide in our political
process. Primaries that are funded with the people’s monies should be
completely open.
We independents want a nonpartisan commission rather than the legislature to draw district
lines. Voters once chose their representatives; now representatives
choose their voters.
Article III
We independents want Instant Runoff Voting for all state races, so the majority
votes their hopes instead of their fears. We support instant runoff voting to
end the “spoiler” assertion by major party candidates.
Article IV
We independents want Election Day to be a commonwealth holiday, a holiday to enjoy and focus on the
people’s political future.
Article V
We Independents want statewide Initiative and Referendum; it is one of the only tools the voters
have to directly impact and create social policy. Citizens should have a say in
legislative pay raises, tax increases, bond issues, Constitutional Conventions
and Governor Recall. Initiative and Referendum (I&R) is a cornerstone of
democracy.
Article VI
We Independents want access to and participation in debates with other candidates
in local, state and national elections. In 2000 and 2004 there were
significant independent candidates for president who critiqued American foreign
policy. In both of these elections, independent candidates were barred from the
presidential debates.
Article
VII
We Independents support term limits for PA state representatives and senators.
Article VIII
We Independents want signature requirements, to gain ballot access, to be a
standard amount for all parties.
Article
IX
We Independents want accuracy and accountability in voter machine/voter count systems.
