HB 499 — 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, for date of application for absentee ballot, for envelopes for official absentee ballots and for voting by absentee electors and providing for secure ballot return receptacles; and, 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.

Summary

Implementing the Bipartisan Joint State Government Commission Report Regarding Mail-in Ballots

Bill Text

• Printer's No. 0488 View text Current

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes regulations for secure ballot return receptacles and modifies existing procedures for absentee voting.

• Section 1302(e.1)

  a permanently → an annual

  Changes the designation from a permanently disabled absentee ballot list to an annual disabled absentee ballot list.

• Section 1302.1(a)

  applications for absentee ballots shall be received in the office of the county board of elections not earlier than fifty (50) days before the primary or election, except that if a county board of elections determines that it would be appropriate to its operational needs, any applications for absentee ballots received more than fifty (50) days before the primary or election may be processed before that time.

  Clarifies the timeline for processing absentee ballot applications.

• Section 1304

  such → a

  Standardizes wording from 'such' to 'a' in reference to the size and shape of envelopes for absentee ballots.

• Section 1306(a)

  such envelope. Such → the envelope. The

  Refines wording in the instructions for handling absentee ballot envelopes.

• Section 1308.1. Secure Ballot Return Receptacles.--(a) A county board of elections may establish secure ballot return receptacles in which voters may return an absentee or mail-in ballot subject to the terms and conditions of this section.

  Introduces provisions for the establishment of secure ballot return receptacles for absentee and mail-in ballots.

• Section 1308.1(b)

  If a county board of elections establishes a secure ballot return receptacle, the board shall provide notice to the electors within the county at least thirty days prior to the election by: ...

  Requires counties to notify voters about secure ballot return receptacles and their operation prior to elections.

• Section 1308.1(c)

  Notices issued under subsection (b) shall include: ...

  Specifies the information that must be included in notices about secure ballot return receptacles.

• Section 1308.1(d)

  A secure ballot return receptacle shall be fully ADA compliant and in a well-lit, fixed location.

  Ensures accessibility standards for secure ballot return receptacles.

• Section 1308.1(e)

  The county board of elections shall determine the hours of operation, which shall begin no later than thirty days prior to the election and include election day.

  Mandates operational hours for secure ballot return receptacles leading up to elections.

• Section 1308.1(f)

  A secure ballot return receptacle shall be tamper-resistant, locked and secured to ensure immobility while in use.

  Imposes security requirements for secure ballot return receptacles.

• Section 1308.1(g)

  Staff authorized by the county board of elections shall monitor the secure ballot return receptacle during hours of operation, either in person or via video surveillance.

  Requires monitoring of secure ballot return receptacles to prevent tampering.

• Section 1308.1(h)

  A secure ballot return receptacle shall have a sign posted on or near the receptacle that includes: ...

  Mandates signage requirements at secure ballot return receptacles to inform voters.

• Section 1308.1(i)

  Ballots shall be collected at the end of operating hours of each day that a secure ballot return receptacle is available for use.

  Establishes a procedure for the collection of ballots from secure ballot return receptacles.

Action History

1. February 05, 2025

   Referred to STATE GOVERNMENT, Feb. 5, 2025

Sponsors

• Joe Webster · Primary
• Chris Pielli · Cosponsor
• Arvind Venkat · Cosponsor
• Tarah Probst · Cosponsor
• Benjamin V. Sanchez · Cosponsor
• Tarik Khan · Cosponsor
• Michael H. Schlossberg · Cosponsor
• Lisa A. Borowski · Cosponsor
• Mandy Steele · Cosponsor
• Melissa Cerrato · Cosponsor
• Scott Conklin · Cosponsor
• Jose Giral · Cosponsor
• G. Roni Green · Cosponsor

Subjects