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Bill > HB1207
PA HB1207
PA HB1207In the Secretary of the Commonwealth, further providing for powers and duties of the Secretary of the Commonwealth and for explanation of ballot question and providing for wording of ballot question; in dates of elections and primaries and special elections, further providing for elections on proposed constitutional amendments; in ballots, further providing for form of official election ballot; in voting machines, further providing for form of ballot labels on voting machines; and, in preparatio
summary
Introduced
04/15/2025
04/15/2025
In Committee
04/15/2025
04/15/2025
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 the Secretary of the Commonwealth, further providing for powers and duties of the Secretary of the Commonwealth and for explanation of ballot question and providing for wording of ballot question; in dates of elections and primaries and special elections, further providing for elections on proposed constitutional amendments; in ballots, further providing for form of official election ballot; in voting machines, further providing for form of ballot labels on voting machines; and, in preparation for and conduct of primaries and elections, further providing for publishing constitutional amendments.
AI Summary
This bill updates the Pennsylvania Election Code to modify how constitutional amendments and ballot questions are prepared, explained, and presented to voters. The legislation shifts the responsibility for preparing ballot question explanations and wording from the Attorney General to the Legislative Reference Bureau, requiring them to write clear, plain-language statements about the purpose and effects of proposed amendments. The Secretary of the Commonwealth will now be responsible for certifying these explanations and ensuring they are published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and included with election materials. The bill also standardizes how constitutional amendments and ballot questions will be printed on ballots and voting machines, specifying that they should be in brief form (no more than 75 words) and include clear "yes" and "no" options. Additionally, the bill requires that ballot question explanations be posted in voting rooms and published alongside proposed constitutional amendments. These changes aim to make ballot questions more understandable and accessible to voters by ensuring plain language explanations and consistent formatting across different election materials. The bill will take effect 60 days after its passage.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (9)
Dave Zimmerman (R)*,
Wendy Fink (R),
Valerie Gaydos (R),
Joe Hamm (R),
Lee James (R),
Tom Jones (R),
Rob Kauffman (R),
Brett Miller (R),
Tina Pickett (R),
Last Action
Referred to State Government (on 04/15/2025)
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