Bill > HB284

This bill establishes new requirements for voter registration in Pennsylvania, focusing on verifying United States citizenship. The legislation creates a detailed process for voter registration that requires applicants to provide satisfactory evidence of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, passport, naturalization documents, or other government-issued documents that prove U.S. citizenship. If an applicant cannot immediately provide such documentation, their registration will be placed in a provisional status, and they will have 90 days to submit the required evidence. The bill establishes a State Election Board composed of the Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of the Commonwealth to assess citizenship documentation. To make the process more accessible, the bill mandates that the Division of Vital Records provide free birth certificates to individuals 17 and older who are seeking to register to vote and do not have other citizenship documents. County offices are required to assist individuals in obtaining these documents at no cost. The bill also provides an appeals process for applicants whose citizenship is initially questioned, allowing them to present additional evidence or seek a declaratory judgment. Importantly, individuals already registered to vote before the bill's implementation will be deemed to have satisfactory citizenship proof and will not need to submit additional documentation.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=284