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 county boards of elections, further providing for powers and duties of county boards; 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 ballots to be issued by election officers only, ballots not to be removed and official ballots only to be deposited or counted; in voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for applications for official absentee ballots, for date of application for absentee ballot, for official absentee voters ballots, for voting by absentee electors and for canvassing of official absentee absentee ballots and mail-in ballots; in voting by qualified mail-in electors, further providing for applications for official mail-in ballots, for official mail-in elector ballots and for voting by mail-in electors.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Marc Anderson and 7 co-sponsors

HB 1162 modifies Pennsylvania's voting procedures for absentee and mail-in ballots, affecting applications, ballot handling, and canvassing processes across all counties.

Referred to State Government

Legislative bill overview

HB 1162 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code across multiple voting procedures, including definitions, county board powers, primary/general election conduct, absentee voting, and mail-in voting. The bill modifies rules governing voter applications, ballot issuance, ballot handling, and canvassing procedures for both absentee and mail-in ballots.

Why is this important

Election code changes directly affect voting access, election administration, and ballot security—core functions of democratic participation. These amendments could alter how millions of Pennsylvania voters cast ballots and how election officials process and count votes, impacting both convenience and election integrity concerns.

Potential points of contention

Ballot handling and security provisions: Changes to rules on ballot issuance, removal, and deposit may tighten security measures or restrict voting flexibility depending on specific language, creating debate over balancing access versus security

Absentee/mail-in application requirements: Modifications to application procedures and timelines could expand or restrict voting by mail, affecting voters with mobility issues, rural voters, and working voters differently

County board authority: Expanded or restricted powers for county election boards may shift decision-making authority, affecting consistency across Pennsylvania's 67 counties and raising questions about standardization versus local control