Criminal Justice (Elections)

SB 192 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to improve voting access for two specific groups: homeless residents and individuals confined in correctional facilities for non-felony offenses (including misdemeanors, pretrial detainees, and those awaiting sentencing). It defines "homeless" using federal standards, allowing voters without a physical address to register using geographic descriptions like maps or coordinates. The bill also requires correctional facilities to designate staff to assist inmates with voter registration, absentee ballots, and civic education, while mandating data collection on inmate voting participation. These changes aim to streamline voting procedures for these populations without altering eligibility criteria.

HB 1487 requires county boards of elections in first-class counties to establish an additional polling place inside county prisons for individuals who register their residence at the prison. It clarifies that incarcerated people (for misdemeanor or summary offenses) in these counties may choose to register and vote at the prison or use absentee ballots, without changing voting eligibility. The bill does not alter who can vote but adds a new in-person voting option for eligible incarcerated individuals. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.