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Bill > SB400

PA SB400

PA SB400
In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in qualifications of electors, furth er providing for qualifications of electors at primaries; in party organization, further providing for only enrolled electors to vote at primaries or hold party offices; in nomination of candidates, further providing for candidates to be nominated and party officers to be elected at primaries and providing for procedure for unenrolled electors to cast primary ballots; and, in preparation for and co

summary

Introduced
04/30/2025
In Committee
04/30/2025
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 qualifications of electors, further providing for qualifications of electors at primaries; in party organization, further providing for only enrolled electors to vote at primaries or hold party offices; in nomination of candidates, further providing for candidates to be nominated and party officers to be elected at primaries and providing for procedure for unenrolled electors to cast primary ballots; and, 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.

AI Summary

This bill modifies Pennsylvania's election laws to allow unenrolled voters (registered voters who have not declared a party affiliation) to participate in primary elections. The bill defines an "unenrolled elector" as a voter who has selected "none or no affiliation" or "independent" on their voter registration, and creates a new procedure for these voters to participate in primaries. Under the new law, unenrolled electors can choose which party's primary ballot they want to vote in on the day of the primary, and election officials will temporarily record them as enrolled in that party for that specific election. Importantly, unenrolled voters will not be able to vote for party officers or committee members, and their choice of party in one primary will not lock them into that party for future primaries. The bill also requires the Department of State to modify its voter registration system to ensure that unenrolled voters retain their independent status and are not permanently affiliated with a party based on a single primary election choice. The changes will apply to the next municipal or general primary election held at least 180 days after the bill's effective date, with the goal of increasing voter participation and providing more flexibility for independent voters.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (13)

Last Action

Referred to State Government (on 04/30/2025)

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