HB 1396 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 preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in district election officers, further providing for compensation of district election officers; in election districts and polling places, providing for ballot drop boxes; in electronic voting systems, further providing for definitions and for supplies, preparation of the voting system and of polling places, providing for pre-election logic and accuracy testing, repealing provisions relating to statistical sample and providing for post-election ballot audit; providing for electronic poll books and for electronic poll books and election infrastructure equipment bonds; in preparation for and conduct of primaries and elections, further providing for manner of applying to vote, persons entitled to vote, voter's certificates, entries to be made in district register, numbered lists of voters and challenges and for deadline for receipt of valid voter registration application; providing for in-person early voting; in voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for date of application for absentee ballot, for approval of application for absentee ballot, for envelopes for official absentee ballots and for voting by absentee electors; in voting by qualified mail-in electors, further providing for applications for official mail-in ballots, for date of application for mail-in ballot, for approval of application for mail-in ballot, for envelopes for official mail-in ballots and for voting by mail-in electors; in returns of primaries and elections, further providing for computation of returns by county board, certification and issuance of certificates of election; in Election Integrity Grant Program, further providing for funding for elections; in recounts and contests, further providing for opening ballot boxes upon petition of electors alleging fraud or error and deposit or bond, for recanvassing voting machines upon petition of electors alleging fraud or error and for correction of returns, decision not to be final and evidence for prosecution; in penalties, further providing for interference with primaries and elections, frauds and conspiracy; making an appropriation; and making an editorial change. Amending Title 25 (Elections) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in registration system, further providing for SURE system; in voter registration, further providing for methods of voter registration, for application with driver's license application and for government agencies and for approval of registration applications; and, in changes in records, repealing provisions relating to removal notices, to transfer of registration and to change of enrollment of political party and further providing for death of registrant.

HB 1396 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to modernize voting processes. It establishes rules for secure ballot drop boxes, requiring counties to publicly list locations, hours, and accessibility details at least 55 days before elections. The bill also sets a $175 minimum pay for election workers and updates voter registration procedures, including integrating the SURE system and allowing registration via driver's license applications. These changes directly affect voters, county election officials, and election infrastructure across Pennsylvania.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced May 5, 2025 Last action May 22, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Printer's No. PN1584 Printer's No. PN1688 · 7 edits
MODERATE
This bill update expands the number of sponsors and adds a new co-sponsor, while significantly revising the requirements for ballot drop boxes. The most important change is the addition of a mandate for 24-hour availability and a requirement for video surveillance, alongside a slight increase in the maximum fine for violations. The bill also clarifies the process for scanning damaged ballots and updates the list of eligible individuals who can witness logic and accuracy testing.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to include additional sponsors and now explicitly mandates 24-hour access for ballot drop boxes, whereas the previous version did not specify this requirement.
REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that ballot drop boxes must be available 24 hours a day to voters.

Added a requirement for video surveillance at ballot drop boxes, with a minor text correction ('WHILE' added) to ensure clarity.

Added language allowing for the scanning of damaged ballots if the voter's intent remains clear.

ENFORCEMENT

Increased the maximum fine for election violations from $200 to $175 (note: this appears to be a reduction in the fine amount based on the text provided, though the context suggests a revision of penalty thresholds).

DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'Ballot set' to include 'voting by emergency paper ballot' as a distinct method.

ELIGIBILITY

Added 'Venkat, Inglis, Khan, Green, Kazeem, Webster and Warren' to the list of bill sponsors.

TIMELINE

Clarified that county boards must inform the secretary of ballot drop box locations within 10 days of a writ of election being issued.

Floor votes · House May 12, 2025

How they voted

14855
Passed
Total votes 203
May 12, 2025
D Democratic102
102 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican101
46 Yea 55 Nay
54% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
11
Key actions
4
Committee
5
May 22, 2025
Committee
Referred to State Government
upper
May 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third consideration and final passage
lower
May 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
Re-reported as committed
lower
May 12, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (148-55)
house
May 12, 2025
Committee
Re-committed to Appropriations
lower
May 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported as committed
lower
May 5, 2025
Committee
Referred to State Government
lower
1 primary · 8 co-sponsors

Sponsors