Pennsylvania House Bill HB473

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/4/25
• Refer: 2/4/25

Caption

An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, in voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for applications for official absentee . . .ballots; and, in voting by qualified mail-in electors, further providing for applications for official mail-in ballots.

Summary

HB473 would amend Pennsylvania’s Election Code to restrict who may distribute absentee and mail-in ballot applications. Under the bill, only the Secretary of the Commonwealth could send absentee ballot applications or official mail-in ballot applications to electors by mail or electronic means, barring private organizations and individuals from doing so. The bill also requires county boards of elections to retain copies and records of completed physical and electronic mail-in ballot applications. The bill makes several changes to the permanent mail-in ballot list process. It would place all qualified registered electors on the permanent mail-in ballot list file, allow electors to be removed only upon their request, and direct the Secretary to mail applications to eligible voters by the first Monday in February each year or within 48 hours of voter registration approval, whichever is later. It also preserves the ability of the Secretary to create an electronic application system with digitized or electronic signatures, and requires counties to treat electronic submissions the same as paper forms. The bill would take effect 60 days after enactment.

Impact

HB473 would change the administration of absentee and mail-in voting by centralizing ballot-application distribution in the Secretary of the Commonwealth and limiting third-party outreach. It would amend sections of the Pennsylvania Election Code governing absentee ballot applications and mail-in ballot applications, alter the permanent mail-in voter list rules, and impose record-retention requirements on county boards of elections. The bill would affect voters, county election offices, and civic or political organizations that currently mail or electronically distribute ballot applications.

Sentiment

No committee transcript or vote record was provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or recorded support/opposition in the materials supplied. Based on the bill text, the measure appears designed to tighten control over ballot-application distribution and standardize administration, which may appeal to supporters concerned about election integrity and uniformity. At the same time, the restrictions on private mailing or electronic distribution could draw concern from groups that assist voters with registration and ballot access.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely the prohibition on private organizations and individuals sending absentee or mail-in ballot applications, which could be viewed as reducing voter outreach and assistance. Another possible issue is the shift from a request-based permanent mail-in list to automatic placement of all qualified electors on the list, coupled with Secretary-controlled mailing and electronic systems. Election administrators may support the clearer statewide process, while voting-access advocates or outside groups may object to limits on third-party participation and the potential impact on voter engagement.