Pennsylvania House Bill HB2280

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/11/26
• Refer: 3/11/26

Caption

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

Summary

HB2280 amends Pennsylvania’s Election Code to change how candidates document their residence when filing nomination petitions. Under current law, a candidate’s affidavit includes the candidate’s residence and post-office address as part of the filing submitted with the nomination petition. The bill removes that residence information from the public-facing affidavit and instead requires candidates to file a separate affidavit stating their residence, street number if any, and post office address. The new separate residence affidavit is to be used only for administrative verification of candidate qualifications. The bill expressly exempts that document from public disclosure under both the Election Code and Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law. The measure applies broadly to candidates for state, county, municipal, school district, party office, delegate positions, and U.S. Senate and House seats, and would take effect 60 days after enactment.

Impact

HB2280 would amend Section 910 of the Pennsylvania Election Code and add a new Section 910.1, changing the filing requirements for candidate nomination petitions. The practical effect is to separate residence information from the main candidate affidavit and shield that information from public access, while still allowing election officials to use it to verify eligibility and residency requirements. This would affect candidates across nearly all elective offices covered by the Election Code, as well as county boards of elections and the Secretary of the Commonwealth in administering candidate filings.

Sentiment

Because no committee transcript or vote record is provided, there is no documented debate or recorded vote sentiment to assess. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears procedural and administrative rather than ideological, with its stated purpose focused on candidate qualification review and privacy protection for residence information. The absence of recorded discussion means no clear support or opposition can be attributed from the available materials.

Contention

The main point of potential contention is the balance between transparency in elections and privacy for candidates. Supporters would likely view the bill as protecting personal residence information from public disclosure while preserving election officials’ ability to verify qualifications. Opponents may argue that removing residence information from public access reduces transparency and makes it harder for voters, journalists, or challengers to scrutinize candidate eligibility. No specific individuals or groups are identified in the provided materials as holding these positions.