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Bill > HB1396


PA HB1396

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in district election officers, further providing for compensation of district election officers; in election districts and polling places, providing for ballot drop boxes; in electronic voting systems, further providing for definitions and for supplies, preparation of the voting system and of polling places, providing for pre-election logic and accuracy testing, repealing provisions relating to statistical sample and providing for pos


summary

Introduced
05/05/2025
In Committee
05/22/2025
Crossed Over
05/13/2025
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

Potential new amendment
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 district election officers, further providing for compensation of district election officers; in election districts and polling places, providing for ballot drop boxes; in electronic voting systems, further providing for definitions and for supplies, preparation of the voting system and of polling places, providing for pre-election logic and accuracy testing, repealing provisions relating to statistical sample and providing for post-election ballot audit; providing for electronic poll books and for electronic poll books and election infrastructure equipment bonds; 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 and for deadline for receipt of valid voter registration application; providing for in-person early voting; in voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for date of application for absentee ballot, for approval of application for absentee ballot, for envelopes for official absentee ballots and for voting by absentee electors; in voting by qualified mail-in electors, further providing for applications for official mail-in ballots, for date of application for mail-in ballot, for approval of application for mail-in ballot, for envelopes for official mail-in ballots and for voting by mail-in electors; in returns of primaries and elections, further providing for computation of returns by county board, certification and issuance of certificates of election; in Election Integrity Grant Program, further providing for funding for elections; in recounts and contests, further providing for opening ballot boxes upon petition of electors alleging fraud or error and deposit or bond, for recanvassing voting machines upon petition of electors alleging fraud or error and for correction of returns, decision not to be final and evidence for prosecution; in penalties, further providing for interference with primaries and elections, frauds and conspiracy; making an appropriation; and making an editorial change. Amending Title 25 (Elections) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in registration system, further providing for SURE system; in voter registration, further providing for qualifications to register, for methods of voter <-- registration, for application with driver's license application and for government agencies and for approval of registration applications; and, in changes in records, repealing provisions relating to removal notices, to transfer of registration and to change of enrollment of political party and further providing for death of registrant.

AI Summary

This bill introduces several significant changes to Pennsylvania's election laws. Here's a comprehensive summary: This bill provides for comprehensive election law reforms, including establishing ballot drop boxes, implementing in-person early voting, enhancing electronic poll book usage, and modifying various voter registration and voting procedures. Key provisions include creating a standardized ballot drop box system with specific security and operational requirements, allowing in-person early voting for 11 days before an election, establishing electronic poll book standards, and creating a bonding mechanism to help counties fund electronic poll book and election infrastructure equipment. The bill also modifies absentee and mail-in ballot procedures, including providing prepaid postage for ballot envelopes, expanding options for ballot return, and creating a post-election ballot audit process. Additionally, the bill updates voter registration processes, including allowing 16-year-olds to preregister and removing certain restrictions on voter eligibility. The changes aim to modernize election administration, improve voter accessibility, and enhance election security and transparency. Most provisions will take effect either immediately or on January 1, 2026, with the remaining provisions taking effect on January 1, 2027.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

Sponsors (9)

Last Action

Referred to STATE GOVERNMENT (on 05/22/2025)

bill text


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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1396
House Fiscal Note PN 1688 https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/FN/2025/0/HB1396P1688.pdf
BillText https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=PDF&sessYr=2025&sessInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=B&billNbr=1396&pn=1688
House Amendment A00599 (PN 1584) https://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/HA/Public/HaCheck.cfm?txtType=PDF&sYear=2025&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1396&pn=1584&aYear=2025&an=00599
House Amendment A00600 (PN 1584) https://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/HA/Public/HaCheck.cfm?txtType=PDF&sYear=2025&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1396&pn=1584&aYear=2025&an=00600
House Amendment A00614 (PN 1584) https://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/HA/Public/HaCheck.cfm?txtType=PDF&sYear=2025&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1396&pn=1584&aYear=2025&an=00614
House Amendment A00616 (PN 1584) https://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/HA/Public/HaCheck.cfm?txtType=PDF&sYear=2025&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1396&pn=1584&aYear=2025&an=00616
House Amendment A00617 (PN 1584) https://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/HA/Public/HaCheck.cfm?txtType=PDF&sYear=2025&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1396&pn=1584&aYear=2025&an=00617
House Amendment A00620 (PN 1584) https://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/HA/Public/HaCheck.cfm?txtType=PDF&sYear=2025&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1396&pn=1584&aYear=2025&an=00620
House Amendment A00627 (PN 1584) https://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/HA/Public/HaCheck.cfm?txtType=PDF&sYear=2025&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1396&pn=1584&aYear=2025&an=00627
BillText https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=PDF&sessYr=2025&sessInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=B&billNbr=1396&pn=1584
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