A proposed ballot question in Pittsburgh, which aimed to halt city business with entities linked to Israel during its military actions in Gaza, will be withdrawn after the parties involved agreed it lacked enough valid signatures. This decision leaves unresolved whether such measures are preempted by Pennsylvania state law.
Israel Boycott Ballot Question To Be Withdrawn : Lacks Sufficient Valid Signatures
In a stipulation reached over the weekend and formalized Monday by Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Judge John T. McVay, supporters of the ballot question and its challengers, including the city controller’s office and the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, concurred that the petition fell short of the necessary valid signatures. While over 15,000 signatures were submitted earlier this month, only 12,847 were deemed valid — below the threshold needed to place the measure on the November ballot.
“The ballot referendum petition … is set aside because it lacks the requisite number of signatures by qualified, registered electors residing within the City of Pittsburgh,” read the court order. Consequently, the proposed question will not appear on the November 5, 2024, ballot.
Legal Challenges and Preemption Issues
The ballot initiative, spearheaded by the organization “No War Crimes on Our Dime,” and backed by the Pittsburgh Democratic Socialists of America, sought to amend Pittsburgh’s Home Rule Charter. The amendment would have prohibited the city from investing in or granting tax exemptions to entities conducting business with or in Israel until the nation ceased its military operations in Gaza.