Bill > HB1235

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to enhance the integrity and accuracy of electronic voting systems by introducing new definitions and establishing comprehensive pre-election logic and accuracy testing requirements. The bill defines new terms like "ballot set" and "ballot style" to clarify different types of ballots used in voting, including absentee, mail-in, in-person, and emergency paper ballots. The most significant provision is the detailed requirement for county boards of elections to conduct thorough pre-election testing of electronic voting equipment, which includes generating reports, verifying contest orders, marking and printing test ballots in multiple languages, scanning ballots, and ensuring voting devices accurately record and tabulate votes. The testing must be completed as soon as ballots are available, with exceptions for pending court proceedings. The bill mandates that county boards provide advance notice of testing to political parties and election fraud investigation organizations, allow in-person observation of the testing process, and submit a certification of compliance to the Secretary of the Commonwealth within five days of completing the testing. Additionally, the bill specifies that failure to comply with these requirements does not automatically invalidate election results but allows the Secretary of the Commonwealth to take enforcement actions. The goal of these provisions is to increase transparency and confidence in the electronic voting process by ensuring voting systems function correctly before an election.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1235