‘No one should have that kind of power’: Voters in favor of changing emergency powers

CAMP HILL, Pa. — By late afternoon, more than 300 voters showed up to vote in person at Precinct Three, located at the Camp Hill Presbyterian Church. 

Dozens of voters said they were in favor of restricting Gov. Tom Wolf and future governor’s emergency powers.

“I think that what we must do is take more authority away from the government and give it back to the people,” Phyllis Mowery, an 89-year-old Republican voter, said. “Socialism looks good on paper, but it doesn’t work.”

Mowery — who noted the dozens of signs telling voters to “vote yes” on the proposed change — said no elected official should have the power to declare and extend an emergency declaration.

“I think our government has gone crazy,” she added. “And our kids are going to suffer.”

Mowery added that she didn’t find the ballot questions confusing ahead of Tuesday.

Tom and Kay, who declined to give their last names, said they were in favor of the ballot questions and think the change would allow for more input on decisions that affect communities.

“We feel that the governor shouldn’t be the only one to tell us this is how it’s going to be,” Tom said. “It doesn’t matter the party. He’s a human being.” 

“We want more opinions,” Kay added.

A block away at Precincts Two and Four, which were consolidated at the Camp Hill Community Room, Bob — a voter who declined to give his last name — said he doesn’t know anyone who was voting against the first two ballot measures.

“The people that are our legislators are there to vote for us,” he said. “No one should have that kind of power.”