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
198–3
Passed
Total votes 201
Apr 14, 2026
D
Democratic102
100% Yea
R
Republican99
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
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Nate Davidson
DDemocratic
Co
Andre Carroll
DDemocratic
Co
Anthony Bellmon
DDemocratic
Co
Ben Sanchez
DDemocratic
Co
Ben Waxman
DDemocratic
Co
Dan Williams
DDemocratic
Co
Danilo Burgos
DDemocratic
Co
Darisha Parker
DDemocratic
Co
Dave Madsen
DDemocratic
Co
Ed Neilson
DDemocratic
Co
Elizabeth Fiedler
DDemocratic
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