Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB1327

Introduced
4/28/25  

Caption

In penalties, further providing for the offense of bribery at elections and providing for the offense of payment for registration.

Impact

If enacted, HB 1327 would significantly alter the legal landscape surrounding elections in Pennsylvania. It seeks to tighten regulations around practices that could lead to election fraud, reflecting a growing emphasis on the need for robust measures against bribery, which can influence election outcomes. This move aligns with nationwide trends toward reinforcing election security and could lead to increased scrutiny on voter registration processes, strengthening the legal repercussions for unethical election practices.

Summary

House Bill 1327 aims to amend the Pennsylvania Election Code to strengthen penalties against election-related bribery and introduce a new offense for offering payment to induce voter registration. The bill's central provisions include classifying bribery at elections as a third-degree felony, carrying significant fines and potential imprisonment for those found guilty. Similarly, the bill establishes that offering incentives for voter registration can lead to misdemeanor charges, with hefty fines attached to violations. The driving force behind this legislation is to enhance the integrity of electoral processes within the state.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 1327 appears to be generally favorable among proponents who believe that stricter penalties for bribery will safeguard the integrity of elections. Supporters argue that the bill addresses critical gaps in existing laws and sends a strong message against corruption in the electoral process. However, there may also be dissent regarding the implications of intensified penalties, particularly concerning how they might affect voter participation and the perception of voter registration drives, prompting fears about disenfranchisement.

Contention

One point of contention regarding HB 1327 is the balance between enforcing election integrity and ensuring that legitimate voter registration efforts are not hindered. Critics may argue that the penalties for incentivizing voter registration could discourage community organizations from engaging in outreach programs that encourage civic participation. The conversation around this bill raises important questions about how best to protect elections while also fostering an inclusive democratic process.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA SB969

In riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, further providing for the offense of gambling devices, gambling, etc; and imposing penalties.

PA SB603

In district election officers, further providing for appointment of watchers; in Pennsylvania Election Law Advisory Board, further providing for Pennsylvania Election Law Advisory Board; in recounts and contests, providing for powers and duties of the Attorney General relating to elections; and, in penalties, further providing for disobeying lawful instructions, for perjury, for false affidavits of candidates, for refusal to permit inspection of papers, destruction or removal and Secretary of the Commonwealth, for refusal to permit inspection of papers, destruction or removal and county boards of elections, for insertion and alteration of entries in documents, removal and refusal to deliver, for refusal to permit overseers, watchers, attorneys or candidates to act, for driving away watchers, attorneys, candidates or overseers, for refusal to permit election officers, clerks and machine inspectors to act and driving away said persons, for refusal to administer oath and acting without being sworn, for violation of oath of office by election officers, for peace officers, failure to render assistance and hindering or delaying county board members and others, for nomination petitions and papers and offenses by signers, for false signatures and statements in nomination petitions and papers, for nomination petitions, certificates and papers, destruction, fraudulent filing and suppression, for offenses by printers of ballots, for unlawful possession of ballots and counterfeiting ballots, for forging and destroying ballots, for tampering with voting machines, for destroying, defacing or removing notices, et cetera, for police officers at polling places, for peace officer, failure to quell disturbances at polls, hindering or delaying election officers and others, for election officers permitting unregistered electors to vote, challenges and refusing to permit qualified electors to vote, for election officers refusing to permit elector to vote in proper party at primaries, for frauds by election officers, for prying into ballots, for interference with primaries and elections, frauds and conspiracy, for persons interfering in other districts, for assault and battery at polls, for unlawful assistance in voting, for election officers permitting unlawful assistance, for failure to keep and return record of assisted voters, for unlawful voting, for elector voting ballot of wrong party at primary, for repeat voting at elections, for removing ballots, for commissioners to take soldiers' votes, for fraudulent voting by soldiers, for bribery at elections, for receipts and disbursements of primary and election expenses by persons other than candidates and treasurers, for receipts of primary and election expenses by unauthorized persons, for contributions by corporations or unincorporated associations, for failure to file expense account, for prohibiting duress and intimidation of voters and interference with the free exercise of the elective franchise, for failure to perform duty, for hindering or delaying performance of duty and for violation of any provision of act.

PA SB527

In theft and related offenses, further providing for the offense of theft of mail.

PA SB604

In district election officers, further providing for oath of judge of election, for oaths of inspectors of election, for oaths of clerks of election and for oath of machine inspectors.

PA HB1271

In district election officers, further providing for oath of judge of election, for oaths of inspectors of election, for oaths of clerks of election and for oath of machine inspectors.

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 HB2163

In other offenses, further providing for drug trafficking sentencing and penalties.

PA HB1339

In the Secretary of the Commonwealth, further providing for powers and duties of the Secretary of the Commonwealth and for explanation of ballot question and providing for wording of ballot question; in dates of elections and primaries and special elections, further providing for elections on proposed constitutional amendments; in ballots, further providing for form of official election ballot; in voting machines, further providing for form of ballot labels on voting machines; and, in preparation for and conduct of primaries and elections, further providing for publishing constitutional amendments.

PA HB2079

In penalties, providing for the offense of fraudulent misrepresentation of a candidate; and imposing a penalty.

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.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.