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Bill > HB499
PA HB499
PA HB499In voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for applications for official absentee ballots, for date of application for absentee ballot, for envelopes for official absentee ballots and for voting by absentee electors and providing for secure ballot return receptacles; and, in voting by qualified mail-in electors, further providing for applications for official mail-in ballots, for date of application for mail-in ballot, for approval of application for mail-in ballot, for envelope
summary
Introduced
02/05/2025
02/05/2025
In Committee
02/05/2025
02/05/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), entitled "An act concerning elections, including general, municipal, special and primary elections, the nomination of candidates, primary and election expenses and election contests; creating and defining membership of county boards of elections; imposing duties upon the Secretary of the Commonwealth, courts, county boards of elections, county commissioners; imposing penalties for violation of the act, and codifying, revising and consolidating the laws relating thereto; and repealing certain acts and parts of acts relating to elections," in voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for applications for official absentee ballots, for date of application for absentee ballot, for envelopes for official absentee ballots and for voting by absentee electors and providing for secure ballot return receptacles; and, in voting by qualified mail-in electors, further providing for applications for official mail-in ballots, for date of application for mail-in ballot, for approval of application for mail-in ballot, for envelopes for official mail-in ballots and for voting by mail-in electors.
AI Summary
This bill makes several important changes to Pennsylvania's election laws regarding absentee and mail-in voting. It replaces the term "permanent" with "annual" for disabled and mail-in voter lists, allowing voters to stay on these lists for a year and receive ballots automatically. The bill introduces new provisions for secure ballot return receptacles, which are designated locations where voters can drop off their absentee or mail-in ballots. These receptacles must be ADA-compliant, well-lit, monitored by staff or video surveillance, and located in easily accessible public spaces like courthouses, colleges, and senior centers. The bill also requires county election boards to provide detailed public notices about these receptacles, including their locations, hours of operation, and contact information. Additionally, the bill modifies ballot envelope requirements, clarifying that failure to use the inner envelope or minor date discrepancies should not automatically disqualify a ballot. The changes aim to make voting more accessible and convenient for electors while maintaining ballot security, with the new provisions taking effect 60 days after the bill's passage.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (13)
Joseph Webster (D)*,
Lisa Borowski (D),
Missy Cerrato (D),
Scott Conklin (D),
José Giral (D),
Roni Green (D),
Tarik Khan (D),
Chris Pielli (D),
Tarah Probst (D),
Ben Sanchez (D),
Mike Schlossberg (D),
Mandy Steele (D),
Arvind Venkat (D),
Last Action
Referred to State Government (on 02/05/2025)
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