Bill
Bill > HB1162
PA HB1162
In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in county boards of elections, further providing for powers and duties of county boards; in preparation for and conduct of primaries and elections, further providing for manner of applying to vote, persons entitled to vote, voter's certificates, entries to be made in district register, numbered lists of voters and challenges and for ballots to be issued by election officers only, ballots not to be removed and official ballots only to
summary
Introduced
04/07/2025
04/07/2025
In Committee
04/07/2025
04/07/2025
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 preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in county boards of elections, further providing for powers and duties of county boards; in preparation for and conduct of primaries and elections, further providing for manner of applying to vote, persons entitled to vote, voter's certificates, entries to be made in district register, numbered lists of voters and challenges and for ballots to be issued by election officers only, ballots not to be removed and official ballots only to be deposited or counted; in voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for applications for official absentee ballots, for date of application for absentee ballot, for official absentee voters ballots, for voting by absentee electors and for canvassing of official absentee absentee ballots and mail-in ballots; in voting by qualified mail-in electors, further providing for applications for official mail-in ballots, for official mail- in elector ballots and for voting by mail-in electors.
AI Summary
This bill makes several technical amendments to Pennsylvania's Election Code, primarily focusing on clarifying and modifying procedures related to absentee and mail-in voting. Key provisions include redefining terms like "canvass" to more explicitly describe ballot processing, updating requirements for submitting and voiding absentee and mail-in ballots, and establishing more precise guidelines for when and how such ballots can be received, processed, and counted. The bill modifies procedures for voters who have requested an absentee or mail-in ballot but wish to vote in person, requiring them to void their original ballot and sign an affidavit at their polling place. It also adjusts deadlines for ballot receipt, with some ballots now needing to be received by 5 p.m. on the Friday before the election and others by 8 p.m. on election day, depending on the type of ballot and voter classification. Additionally, the bill changes how county boards of elections handle and canvass ballots, removing the pre-canvass meeting requirement and establishing new protocols for ballot verification and counting. These changes aim to streamline election processes, provide clearer instructions for voters and election officials, and potentially reduce confusion around absentee and mail-in voting procedures.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (8)
Wendy Fink (R)*,
Marc Anderson (R),
Aaron Bernstine (R),
Barb Gleim (R),
Joe Hamm (R),
Rob Kauffman (R),
Craig Staats (R),
Dave Zimmerman (R),
Last Action
Referred to STATE GOVERNMENT (on 04/07/2025)
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