PA's Election Influence - Commonwealth Foundation

PA’s Election Influence

While some have called for an earlier primary to “give Pennsylvania more influence” in Presidential nominations, PA’s influence is likely to decline for another reason — stagnant population growth.

The UVa Center for Politics estimates that by 2030, PA will lose 4 Congressional seats and electoral votes.

Pennsylvania’s rising tax burden is largely to blame for this stagnation, as the Commonwealth Foundation has pointed out repeatedly. In other words, if the goal is more “influence” in presidential elections, then tax policy – not primary dates – are what we should changing.