HB 1278 Pennsylvania House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, in dates of elections and primaries and special elections, further providing for affidavits of candidates; 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.

HB 1278 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to require candidates for state, local, and federal offices (including U.S. Congress) to submit a written statement (replacing the prior "affidavit" requirement) instead of an affidavit. This statement must include specific details like the candidate's residence, election district, office sought, eligibility confirmation, commitment to election laws, and awareness of campaign finance reporting rules. The bill updates penalties for false statements to reference Pennsylvania's unsworn falsification statute (18 Pa.C.S. § 4904), applying to all candidates filing nomination documents. It directly affects every candidate submitting paperwork for election in Pennsylvania, including those running for county, city, school board, or federal positions.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Apr 22, 2025 Last action Apr 23, 2026
Floor votes · House Apr 14, 2026

How they voted

1983
Passed
Total votes 201
Apr 14, 2026
D Democratic102
102 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican99
96 Yea 3 Nay
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
10
Key actions
3
Committee
5
Apr 23, 2026
Committee
Referred to State Government
upper
Apr 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third consideration and final passage
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
Re-reported as committed
lower
Apr 13, 2026
Committee
Re-committed to Appropriations
lower
Feb 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported as committed
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Committee
Referred to State Government
lower
1 primary · 27 co-sponsors

Sponsors