Feb. 7, 2022Sue Dorfman / For VotebeatWATCH: A free virtual panel on the future of Pennsylvania’s mail voting lawby Spotlight PA StaffWatch Spotlight PA's panel on why Act 77 is being challenged, and what to expect from the Pa. Supreme Court’s review of the law.
Jan. 29, 2022Robert Frank / For Spotlight PAA court just struck down Pennsylvania’s mail voting law. Here’s what you need to know.by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAMail voting will remain in place in Pennsylvania for the time being as Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration appeals the decision to the state Supreme Court.
Jan. 28, 2022Matt Smith / For Spotlight PAPennsylvania’s mail voting law ruled unconstitutional, but remains in place as Wolf appealsby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAThe ruling by Commonwealth Court comes in response to suits filed by a Bradford County commissioner and group of Republican state representatives.
Jan. 6, 2022HEATHER KHALIFA / Philadelphia InquirerThe Jan. 6 Capitol riot: A complete guide to what we know about Pennsylvania’s roleby Ethan Edward Coston of Spotlight PAThe Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot was the culmination of deliberate lies and misinformation about the November 2020 election results and involved dozens of Pennsylvanians.
Dec. 15, 2021Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PACourt battle over Pa. GOP’s subpoena of sensitive voter data centers on legislative power vs. privacyby Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PAIn questioning, the Republican judges appeared hesitant to interfere in the legislature, while Democrats probed whether there were any limits to its ability to access private information.
Nov. 19, 2021TOM GRALISH / Philadelphia InquirerWhat we know about the firm hired by the GOP to review Pennsylvania’s 2020 electionby Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA and Andrew Seidman of The Philadelphia InquirerTaxpayers will pony up $270,000 to Envoy Sage, which says it has exposed “fraud among non-governmental organizations.” Little else is known about the group.
Nov. 10, 2021Courtesy campaignsRecount triggered for open Commonwealth Court seat, with Democrat Lori Dumas leadingby Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PAUnofficial election results show Democrat Lori Dumas with 16,804 more votes than Republican Drew Crompton.
Nov. 4, 2021Commonwealth Media ServicesPa. Gov. Tom Wolf’s wife dropped off his mail ballot, violating state election lawby Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PAA spokesperson for the Democratic governor said “it was an honest mistake.”
Nov. 2, 2021Tyger Williams / Philadelphia InquirerGOP wins 2021 election for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, plus other resultsby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PAThe race between Democrat Maria McLaughlin and Republican Kevin Brobson was marked by big campaign spending and negative ads.
Nov. 2, 2021MONICA HERNDON / Philadelphia InquirerWant to see who’s funding local candidates in Pa.? It’s harder than you’d think.by Ethan Edward Coston of Spotlight PASpotlight PA tested how easily and quickly the public can access campaign finance information in nine counties.
Nov. 1, 2021Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PAWhen do polls open in Pa.? All the information you need for the 2021 Pa. election dayby Colin Deppen of Spotlight PAThe 2021 election in Pennsylvania is here, and we have the details for when and where you should vote.
Oct. 29, 2021TOM GRALISH / Philadelphia Inquirer2021 Pa. election: A last-minute guide to everything you need to know to vote Nov. 2by Colin Deppen of Spotlight PAOn the eve of the 2021 election, here’s a final primer on everything you need to know to vet and select candidates, and to vote.
Oct. 27, 2021Contributed Photo / Inquirer File PhotoSee the top donors in this year’s hotly contested 2021 Pa. Supreme Court electionby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PASpecial interests and political groups account for the bulk of more than $5 million given to the candidates in the 2021 Pa. Supreme Court race. Here's a list of who's given the most money.
Oct. 26, 2021Kent M. Wilhelm / Spotlight PAPowerful special interests are pouring millions into the 2021 Pa. Supreme Court raceby Angela Couloumbis and Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PAWhile the race cannot change the Democratic majority on the high court, it could narrow the margin amid increasingly partisan attacks on the judiciary’s independence.
Oct. 18, 2021TOM GRALISH / Philadelphia InquirerPa. election 2021: Polling places, mail ballot details, and more things to know about Nov. 2by Spotlight PA StaffEverything you need to vote in the 2021 Pa. election, including key dates, how to find your polling place, and guides to the most consequential races.
Oct. 14, 2021DAVID MAIALETTI / Philadelphia InquirerA basic guide to vetting your local candidates in Pennsylvania’s 2021 school board electionsby Ethan Edward Coston of Spotlight PAThese races are more contentious than ever, but getting information on candidates and who is funding them is difficult. Use Spotlight PA's step-by-step guide to find the information you need.
Oct. 14, 2021Kent M. Wilhelm / Spotlight PAA full guide to Pennsylvania’s 2021 Supreme Court election and other appellate judicial racesby Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PAThe decisions handed down by the Commonwealth, Superior, and Supreme Courts impact everyday Pennsylvanians “probably more so than a legislator.”
Oct. 11, 2021Kalim A. Bhatti / For The InquirerGOP wants personal voter data to root out fraud. Pa. already uses a more secure system.by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PAPennsylvania has spent nearly half a million dollars over the past six years to find and remove outdated registrations from its voter database.
Sept. 27, 2021ALEJANDRO A. ALVAREZ / Philadelphia InquirerTo avoid Wolf’s veto, Pa. GOP proposes giving voters final say on stricter ID rules, other election changesby Sarah Anne Hughes of Spotlight PABy simultaneously pursuing legislative changes as well as a constitutional amendment, Republicans are presenting Gov. Tom Wolf with two options: negotiate or be cut out of the conversation completely.
Sept. 23, 2021Matt Smith / For Spotlight PAWolf admin sues Pa. Senate Republicans over bid to collect private voter informationby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PAThe complaint argues GOP senators are unlawfully pursuing a review based on “a disproven narrative” designed to undermine faith in the results of the 2020 election.
Sept. 15, 2021Commonwealth Media ServicesPa. Senate GOP moves to collect private voter information in controversial review of 2020 electionby Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PAWednesday's vote by a Senate panel allows it to demand information — including the name, address, driver's license, and partial social security number — for all registered Pennsylvania voters.
Sept. 14, 2021Commonwealth Media ServicesPa. GOP lawmakers to subpoena personal information on every voter in controversial 2020 election reviewby Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PAThe GOP lawmakers have crafted a sweeping subpoena, requesting among other information the name, address, and partial social security number of every voter registered as of November 2020.
Sept. 9, 2021Matt Smith / For Spotlight PAPa. school mask lawsuit backed by group that challenged 2020 election resultsby Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PARudy Giuliani once described the Amistad Project as a “partner” in the Trump campaign’s legal efforts to overturn the 2020 election. But little else is known about the group or its donors.
Aug. 27, 2021Tim Tai / Philadelphia InquirerPa.’s legislative leaders wield extraordinary power, and the audit fight proves itby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAThe state Senate's top Republican recently stripped another lawmaker of his committee chairmanship and Capitol staff, a rare but not unprecedented move in Harrisburg.
Aug. 26, 2021Commonwealth Media ServicesThe Pa. Senate leader resisted his pro-Trump wing for months. Now he wants a MAGA makeover.by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Andrew Seidman of The Philadelphia InquirerFor months, Jake Corman walked a fine line as the movement to discredit the 2020 election results won support from some of his pro-Trump colleagues. Now the Pennsylvania Republican is all in.
Aug. 26, 2021Sue Dorfman / For VotebeatWhat we know about the renewed push for a ‘forensic audit’ of Pennsylvania’s 2020 electionby Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PAWe cut through the noise to revisit how this effort came about, what we know about it thus far, and what it might look like in the future.
July 21, 2021JOSE F. MORENO / Philadelphia InquirerPa. Republicans are bringing their election bill back after Gov. Tom Wolf said he’s open to voter ID changesby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Jonathan Lai of The Philadelphia InquirerWolf had said changes to the state’s voter ID rules were a nonstarter. But he shifted that position this week after vetoing the Republican-passed bill.
July 15, 2021JOSE F. MORENO / Philadelphia InquirerPennsylvania’s 2022 U.S. Senate race: What we know so farby Colin Deppen of Spotlight PAThe Senate opening has drawn plenty of interest from Democrats looking to shore up a narrow congressional majority, and Republicans looking to limit key aspects of the Biden agenda.
July 5, 2021TIM TAI / Philadelphia InquirerPa. lawmakers are on summer break. Here are 5 issues they’ll face this fall.by Lindsay Weber for Spotlight PADemocrats and Republicans recently recessed until September without resolving key issues including election reform, cocktails to-go, lobbying reform, and more.
June 30, 2021JOSE F. MORENO / Philadelphia InquirerPennsylvania governor vetoes GOP-led election overhaul citing voter ID restrictionsby Marie Albiges of Spotlight PARepublican lawmakers are likely to use the constitutional amendment process to take the issue to the voters.
