Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB224

Introduced
1/31/23  
Refer
1/31/23  
Refer
9/18/23  
Report Pass
9/18/23  
Refer
9/19/23  
Report Pass
9/19/23  
Engrossed
9/20/23  
Refer
9/21/23  
Refer
10/4/23  
Report Pass
10/5/23  
Refer
10/16/23  
Report Pass
10/17/23  

Caption

In dates of elections and primaries and special elections, further providing for general primary and candidates to be nominated and party officers to be elected and providing for school district budget timeline for 2024 and for procedure for securing approval of electors.

Impact

The implications of SB224 include a more structured approach to managing election processes, which could streamline operations within electoral bodies. The new voter identification requirements may impact the accessibility of voting for some constituents. With defined timelines for the 2024 primaries, this could lead to more organized campaigns and potentially higher voter turnout as processes are clarified and improved. Furthermore, modifications to absentee ballot handling procedures may ensure greater confidence in the integrity of the elections.

Summary

SB224 amends the Pennsylvania Election Code, specifically addressing various provisions related to elections, such as general, municipal, special, and primary elections. It introduces changes aimed at enhancing election integrity, including updated requirements for voter identification and procedures for handling absentee ballots. The bill also focuses on setting clear timelines for school district budget approvals and conditions for the nomination of candidates, particularly in the upcoming 2024 election cycle.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB224 appears to be mixed. Supporters advocate that the reforms are necessary to secure the electoral process and restore public confidence. They argue that defining clear rules and requirements will eliminate confusion among voters and election officials alike. Conversely, critics express concerns over the potential disenfranchisement of voters, particularly those who may lack the necessary identification or who find the new procedures burdensome. This polarized sentiment highlights the tension between ensuring election integrity and maintaining voter access.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the debate over voter identification requirements, which some view as a necessary measure against fraud while others see it as an obstacle for eligible voters. Additionally, the provisions for absentee ballots have raised concerns regarding their accessibility and the implications for voters who may be unfamiliar with the new procedures. The timing of these amendments before significant elections further complicates the conversation, bringing to light issues of voter readiness and education on the new laws.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA SB332

In dates of elections and primaries and special elections, further providing for general primary and candidates to be nominated and party officers to be elected.

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 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.

PA HB123

In county boards of elections, further providing for powers and duties of county boards; in datesof elections and primaries and special elections, providing for authorization of ranked choice voting in municipal elections; in nomination of candidates, further providing for which candidates nominated; in ballots, further providing for form of official primary ballot; in electronic voting systems, further providing for election day procedures and the process of voting; in preparation for and conduct of primaries and elections, further providing for method of marking ballots and depositing same in districts in which ballots are used and for count and return of votes in districts in which ballots are used; and, in returns of primaries and elections, further providing for persons receiving highest number of votes to be declared elected.

PA SB658

In dates of elections and primaries and special elections, further providing for affidavits of candidates; and, in nomination of candidates, further providing for affidavits of candidates, for nominations by political bodies, for limitations on eligibility of candidates and for affidavits of candidates.

PA HB280

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; 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; in voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for applications for official absentee ballots; in voting by qualified mail-in electors, further providing for applications for official mail-in ballots; in returns of primaries and elections, further providing for computation of returns by county board, certification and issuance of certificates of election; and, in penalties, further providing for election officers refusing to permit elector to vote in proper party at primaries and repealing provisions relating to elector voting ballot of wrong party at primary.

PA SB1272

In dates of elections and primaries and special elections, further providing for special elections for Senator and Representative in the General Assembly.

PA HB1488

In dates of elections and primaries and special elections, further providing for elections on proposed constitutional amendments.

PA SB599

In county boards of elections, further providing for expenses of county boards and of primaries and elections to be paid by county, expenses of special elections and boards to be provided with offices; in voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for date of application for absentee ballot and for voting by absentee electors; and, in voting by qualified mail-in electors, further providing for voting by mail-in electors.

PA HB978

In district election officers, further providing for election officers to be sworn; in dates of el ections and primaries and special elections, further providing for affidavits of candidates; in nomination of candidates, further providing for petition may consist of several sheets and statement of circulator, for affidavits of candidates, for examination of nomination petitions, certificates and papers and return of rejected nomination petitions, certificates and papers, for vacancy in party nomination by failure to pay filing fee or for failure to file loyalty oath, for affidavits of candidates, for filling of certain vacancies in public office by means of nomination certificates and nomination papers and for substituted nominations to fill certain vacancies for a November election; in ballots, further providing for form of ballots and printing ballots; in returns of primaries and elections, further providing for manner of computing irregular ballots; and replacing references to "justice of the peace" with "magisterial district judge."

PA HB2262

In dates of elections and primaries and special elections, further providing for special elections for United States Senator and nominations and for nominations for special election for Representative in Congress, Senator and Representative in the General Assembly and member of council or legislative body of cities, boroughs, towns and townships; and, in nominations of candidates, further providing for number of signers required for nomination petitions of candidates at primaries, for nominations by minor political parties, for place and time of filing nomination petitions and filing fees and for nominations by political bodies, repealing provisions relating to filing fee and further providing for examination of nomination petitions, certificates and papers and return of rejected nomination petitions, certificates and papers and for vacancy in party nomination by failure to pay filing fee or for failure to file loyalty oath.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.