There are few fundamental rights more essential to the fabric of America than voting. Brave women and men, including the matriarchs and patriarchs of our nation, risked much to have their voices heard in choosing our country's leaders and values. Women, Native Americans, Black and brown voters, those with limited English, the disabled, older Americans: all have been historically disenfranchised. This most basic American right has so often been at dire risk throughout our history.

And now, again. Pennsylvania, having implemented historical bipartisan modernization of its voting laws in implementing Act 77 of 2019, successfully pursued one of the most historic elections of our lifetimes in 2020. Voter turnout increased in 52 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties during a pivotal presidential election, despite a global health pandemic, while inaugurating the commonwealth's first statewide vote-by-mail program.