Bill
Bill > HB2542
PA HB2542
PA HB2542In returns of primaries and elections, further providing for appeals to court from decisions of th e county board and for Secretary of the Commonwealth to tabulate, compute and canvass returns; and, in recounts and contests, further providing for entry and effect of decision and providing for appeal.
summary
Introduced
05/27/2026
05/27/2026
In Committee
06/22/2026
06/22/2026
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 returns of primaries and elections, further providing for appeals to court from decisions of the county board and for Secretary of the Commonwealth to tabulate, compute and canvass returns; and, in recounts and contests, further providing for entry and effect of decision and providing for appeal.
AI Summary
This bill, amending the Pennsylvania Election Code, aims to expedite the election process by setting stricter deadlines for various stages. Specifically, it mandates that courts must hear and decide appeals from county election board decisions within seven days of the appeal being filed, and that decisions in election contests must be made and entered within seven days of a petition being filed. The Secretary of the Commonwealth is now required to tabulate, compute, and canvass election returns no later than the fifth Tuesday after election day, and must notify legislative leaders if there's a risk of missing this deadline. Furthermore, appeals of election contest decisions to the Supreme Court must be resolved within six days of filing, and no later than seven days before presidential electors meet, ensuring a quicker final determination of election outcomes.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (8)
Jason Ortitay (R)*,
Valerie Gaydos (R),
Carol Hill-Evans (D),
Ed Neilson (D),
Ben Sanchez (D),
Perry Stambaugh (R),
Arvind Venkat (D),
Dan Williams (D),
Last Action
Re-committed to Rules (on 06/22/2026)
Bill Topics
Civil Rights, Minority Issues, and Civil Liberties
- ‐ Voting Rights and Issues
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location | Created |
|---|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb2542 | 05/27/2026 |
| BillText | https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/text/PDF/2025/0/HB2542/PN3448 | 05/28/2026 |
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