Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB1158

Introduced
4/7/25  

Caption

In preliminary provisions, providing for designation of Election Day as legal holiday; and, in election districts and polling places, further providing for public buildings to be used where possible and portable polling places.

Impact

By formally establishing Election Day as a legal holiday, HB 1158 could have significant impacts on voter turnout across Pennsylvania. This measure is expected to facilitate increased access to polling locations as individuals would have more flexibility to vote. Additionally, the requirement for using public buildings as polling places might improve accessibility and create a more inviting environment for voters, promoting a culture of participation in the democratic process.

Summary

House Bill 1158 is a legislative measure aimed at modifying the Pennsylvania Election Code to designate Election Day, the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, as a legal holiday. This change is intended to encourage greater participation in elections by granting citizens a day off to vote without the hindrance of work commitments. The bill further addresses the logistics of polling places by stipulating that election officials should utilize public buildings, such as schoolhouses and municipal buildings, for polling where feasible.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 1158 appears to be largely positive, with advocates of the bill highlighting its potential to make voting more accessible and reinforce civic engagement. However, some concerns may arise from local election officials regarding the feasibility of using public buildings, especially in densely populated areas where resources may be stretched. Nevertheless, the overall sentiment supports the notion that these changes are necessary for improving voter access and experience.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support for its intent to boost voter turnout, potential points of contention include the logistics of implementing the changes effectively. Local governments may face challenges in ensuring that adequate facilities are available and accessible to voters. The bill’s efficacy will rely heavily on cooperation among local authorities and the state, as well as on public awareness campaigns to inform citizens about the changes made to polling processes.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB830

In election districts and polling places, further providing for polling places to be selected by county board; and, in qualifications of electors, further providing for residence of electors.

PA SB1293

In electronic voting systems, further providing for definitions and for supplies and preparation of the voting system and of polling places and providing for pre-election logic and accuracy testing; and, in penalties, providing for falsification of election-related documentation regarding pre-election logic and accuracy testing.

PA HB1830

In election districts and polling places, further providing for equipment and arrangement of polling places, guard rail and number of voting compartments or voting machines; in nomination of candidates, further providing for casting of lots for position of names upon the primary ballots or ballot labels and notice to candidates; and, in ballots, further providing for form of official primary ballot.

PA HB2700

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions and for publication of notices; in the Secretary of the Commonwealth, further providing for Voting Standards Development Board and for State Plan Advisory Board; in county boards of elections, further providing for article heading, for county boards of elections and membership, for powers and duties of county boards, for records and documents to be open to public inspection and proviso and for watchers or attorneys at sessions of county board, candidates may be present; In district election officers, further providing for article heading, for district election boards and election, for tie votes for judge and inspector, for clerks of election and machine inspectors, for vacancies in election boards, appointment, judge and majority inspector to be members of majority party and minority inspector to be a member of minority party, for election officers to be sworn, for compensation of district election officers, for overseers of election and for appointment of watchers; in election districts and polling places, further providing for polling places to be selected by county board;

PA HB1832

In election districts and polling places, further providing for wards in cities of the first class may be created, divided, realigned, or consolidated; and making an editorial change.

PA HB1178

In county boards of elections, further providing for powers and duties of county boards; in dates of elections and primaries and special elections, providing for authorization of ranked choice voting in municipal elections; in nomination of candidates, further providing for which candidates nominated; in ballots, further providing for form of official primary ballot; in electronic voting systems, further providing for election day procedures and the process of voting; in preparation for and conduct of primaries and elections, further providing for method of marking ballots and depositing same in districts in which ballots are used and for count and return of votes in districts in which ballots are used; and, in returns of primaries and elections, further providing for persons receiving highest number of votes to be declared elected.

PA HB704

Providing for early in-person voting in elections; in voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for canvassing of official absentee ballots and mail-in ballots; and, in Election Integrity Grant Program, further providing for funding for elections.

PA SB224

In dates of elections and primaries and special elections, further providing for general primary and candidates to be nominated and party officers to be elected and providing for school district budget timeline for 2024 and for procedure for securing approval of electors.

PA HB847

In voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for canvassing of official absentee ballots and mail-in ballots; and, in Election Integrity Grant Program, further providing for funding for elections.

PA SB99

In county boards of elections, further providing for expenses of county boards and of primaries and elections to be paid by county, expenses of special elections and boards to be provided with offices; in voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for date of application for absentee ballot and for voting by absentee electors; and, in voting by qualified mail-in electors, further providing for voting by mail-in electors.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.