Bill > HB735

This bill modifies Pennsylvania's Election Code to change how candidate names are ordered on primary and general election ballots. The legislation introduces a new randomization method for ballot placement, where candidates' names will be determined by casting lots (a random drawing) instead of the previous method that ordered candidates based on party vote totals. For multi-county elections, the bill establishes a rotation system where candidate names are arranged differently in each county based on the number of registered voters, ensuring that a candidate's ballot position is not consistently the same across all counties. The bill also requires the Pennsylvania Election Law Advisory Board to conduct a study on implementing a precinct rotation system for ballot order, with the goal of reducing potential statistical advantages that candidates might gain from consistently being listed first on ballots. The study must be published within six months and shared with the Governor's Office and General Assembly, including recommendations for alternative methods of randomizing candidate placement. The changes will take effect 60 days after the bill is signed into law, aiming to create a more equitable ballot arrangement process that minimizes potential bias from ballot order.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=735