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Bill > HB1278
PA HB1278
PA HB1278In dates of elections and primaries and special elections, further providing for affidavits of can didates; in nomination of candidates, further providing for affidavits of candidates, for statement of candidates for delegates to national conventions, for Secretary of the Commonwealth to furnish county boards with list of candidates and candidates to be notified, for nominations by political bodies, for examination of nomination petitions, certificates and papers and return of rejected nominatio
summary
Introduced
04/22/2025
04/22/2025
In Committee
04/22/2025
04/22/2025
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 dates of elections and primaries and special elections, further providing for affidavits of candidates; in nomination of candidates, further providing for affidavits of candidates, for statement of candidates for delegates to national conventions, for Secretary of the Commonwealth to furnish county boards with list of candidates and candidates to be notified, for nominations by political bodies, for examination of nomination petitions, certificates and papers and return of rejected nomination petitions, certificates and papers and for affidavits of candidates; and, in penalties, further providing for false affidavits of candidates and for false signatures and statements in nomination petitions and papers.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Pennsylvania Election Code to replace the term "affidavits" with "statements" for candidate submissions across various sections of the election law. The key changes involve modifying the requirements for candidate statements when filing nomination petitions or certificates, making the language more consistent and clarifying the penalties for providing false information. Candidates will now be required to submit a statement (instead of an affidavit) that includes details such as their residence, election district, office sought, eligibility, commitment to following election laws, and awareness of campaign contribution reporting requirements. The bill also updates provisions related to delegates to national conventions, nomination petition examinations, and penalties for false statements. Specifically, candidates who knowingly make false statements about their eligibility or qualifications could be liable for up to $10,000 in court costs if legal action results in their removal from the ballot. The primary practical impact is a technical shift from "affidavits" to "statements" while maintaining the same core requirements for candidate declarations, with the statement still being subject to penalties for unsworn falsification to authorities.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (25)
Nathan Davidson (D)*,
Anthony Bellmon (D),
Danilo Burgos (D),
Andre Carroll (D),
Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (D),
Kyle Donahue (D),
Sean Dougherty (D),
Elizabeth Fiedler (D),
Justin Fleming (D),
José Giral (D),
Roni Green (D),
Liz Hanbidge (D),
Keith Harris (D),
Joe Hohenstein (D),
Mary Isaacson (D),
Tarik Khan (D),
Jeanne McNeill (D),
Ed Neilson (D),
Darisha Parker (D),
Nikki Rivera (D),
Ben Sanchez (D),
Jared Solomon (D),
Perry Warren (D),
Ben Waxman (D),
Dan Williams (D),
Last Action
Referred to State Government (on 04/22/2025)
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