Bill
Bill > HB1218
PA HB1218
PA HB1218In the Secretary of the Commonwealth, further providing for powers and duties of the Secretary of the Commonwealth; in county boards of elections, further providing for powers and duties of county boards; in voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for canvassing of official absentee ballots and mail-in ballots; and, in recounts and contests, providing for independent prosecutor and for election integrity officers.
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; in county boards of elections, further providing for powers and duties of county boards; in voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for canvassing of official absentee ballots and mail-in ballots; and, in recounts and contests, providing for independent prosecutor and for election integrity officers.
AI Summary
This bill proposes several changes to Pennsylvania's Election Code to enhance election oversight and integrity. The Secretary of the Commonwealth would be required to establish a hotline for reporting election fraud or intimidation, automatically transmitting reports to a new independent prosecutor and county election integrity officers. The bill mandates that the Secretary cooperate with the independent prosecutor in reviewing election complaints and provide annual training to district attorneys on election laws. County boards of elections would be required to cooperate with the new election integrity officers and independent prosecutors. The bill introduces detailed provisions for ballot canvassing, including giving authorized representatives meaningful access to observe the process and requiring audio and visual recordings of pre-canvass and canvass meetings. A new independent prosecutor, appointed by the Attorney General and approved by the Senate, would be responsible for reviewing election complaints, coordinating with law enforcement, and publishing public reports after each election. Additionally, each county would have an election integrity officer (typically the district attorney or their designee) tasked with developing procedures to ensure election integrity, prevent fraud, recommend data analytics tools, and help collect evidence for potential election law violations. The bill aims to increase transparency, accountability, and oversight in the election process.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (7)
Seth Grove (R)*,
Bryan Cutler (R),
Rob Kauffman (R),
Emily Kinkead (D),
Andrew Kuzma (R),
David Rowe (R),
Michael Stender (R),
Last Action
Referred to State Government (on 04/15/2025)
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