Bill
Bill > HB978
PA HB978
PA HB978In district election officers, further providing for election officers to be sworn; in dates of el ections and primaries and special elections, further providing for affidavits of candidates; in nomination of candidates, further providing for petition may consist of several sheets and statement of circulator, for affidavits of candidates, for examination of nomination petitions, certificates and papers and return of rejected nomination petitions, certificates and papers, for vacancy in party nom
summary
Introduced
03/19/2025
03/19/2025
In Committee
03/19/2025
03/19/2025
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 district election officers, further providing for election officers to be sworn; in dates of elections and primaries and special elections, further providing for affidavits of candidates; in nomination of candidates, further providing for petition may consist of several sheets and statement of circulator, for affidavits of candidates, for examination of nomination petitions, certificates and papers and return of rejected nomination petitions, certificates and papers, for vacancy in party nomination by failure to pay filing fee or for failure to file loyalty oath, for affidavits of candidates, for filling of certain vacancies in public office by means of nomination certificates and nomination papers and for substituted nominations to fill certain vacancies for a November election; in ballots, further providing for form of ballots and printing ballots; in returns of primaries and elections, further providing for manner of computing irregular ballots; and replacing references to "justice of the peace" with "magisterial district judge."
AI Summary
This bill updates various sections of Pennsylvania's Election Code, primarily focusing on replacing references to "justice of the peace" with "magisterial district judge" across multiple election-related provisions. The bill modifies sections related to election officers being sworn in, candidate affidavits, nomination petition requirements, examination of nomination petitions, filling vacancies in party nominations, and ballot printing. Specifically, it standardizes language throughout the election code to use the modern term "magisterial district judge" instead of the outdated "justice of the peace," which reflects changes in Pennsylvania's local judicial system. The bill also makes minor technical adjustments to election procedures, such as clarifying requirements for candidate affidavits, nomination petition circulators, and the handling of nomination papers. The changes aim to create consistency in election terminology and processes across different sections of the Election Code. The bill will take effect 60 days after its enactment, providing time for election officials and candidates to adapt to the updated language and requirements.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (9)
Valerie Gaydos (R)*,
Charity Grimm Krupa (R),
Seth Grove (R),
Rob Kauffman (R),
Andrew Kuzma (R),
Steve Mentzer (R),
Tina Pickett (R),
David Rowe (R),
Dave Zimmerman (R),
Last Action
Referred to State Government (on 03/19/2025)
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