Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB1898

Introduced

9/30/25

Refer

9/30/25

Caption

In nomination of candidates, further providing for number of signers required for nomination petitions of candidates at primaries.

Impact

The adjustment to the signature requirement for nomination petitions can significantly impact local election processes and dynamics. Proponents argue that lowering the number of necessary signatures will encourage more candidates to enter the race, thereby enhancing democratic participation and diversity in candidate representation. If enacted, this change could reshape the landscape of local politics by enabling more grassroots candidates to challenge incumbents and bringing a broader array of viewpoints to the electorate.

Summary

House Bill 1898 focuses on the nomination of candidates for primary elections, specifically addressing the number of signers required for nomination petitions. This legislation aims to streamline the process by potentially adjusting the signature thresholds candidates must meet in order to qualify for their respective primaries. By doing so, the bill seeks to facilitate a more accessible process for candidates, allowing a greater variety of individuals to run for office without facing insurmountable barriers posed by excessively high signature requirements.

Contention

However, there are notable points of contention surrounding HB1898. Critics may argue that reducing signature requirements could lead to an influx of candidates without sufficient backing, potentially muddling the electoral process and complicating voters' choices. Concerns also arise around the integrity of candidacy, as diminishing the threshold might open the door for individuals with less community support to run, which could affect overall voter trust in candidates. The discussions around this bill run the risk of highlighting the balance between encouraging participation and maintaining a manageable candidate pool.

Latest PA HB1898 Activity

View All Events: PA 2025-2026 Regular Session HB1898

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB196

In nomination of candidates, further providing for number of signers required for nomination petitions of candidates at primaries.

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.

PA HB126

In nomination of candidates, further providing for affidavits of candidates and for nominations by political bodies.

PA HB208

In nomination of candidates, further providing for place and time of filing nomination petitions and filing fees.

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 SB1276

In 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 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.

PA HB1278

PA HB231

In nomination of candidates, further providing for petition may consist of several sheets and statement of circulator.

PA HB2280

In nomination of candidates, further providing for affidavits of candidates and providing for ascertaining residence of candidates.

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."

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