PRINTER'S NO. 1389
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
1052
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY STEFANO, GORDNER, MENSCH, PILEGGI, EICHELBERGER,
GREENLEAF, VOGEL, BAKER, WARD, HUTCHINSON, RAFFERTY,
VULAKOVICH, BARTOLOTTA, COSTA, SCHWANK, DINNIMAN, YUDICHAK,
FONTANA, TARTAGLIONE, FARNESE, TEPLITZ AND SABATINA,
NOVEMBER 10, 2015
REFERRED TO STATE GOVERNMENT, NOVEMBER 10, 2015
AN ACT
Amending Title 25 (Elections) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, in uniform military and overseas voters, further
providing for definitions, for duties and responsibilities of
secretary and for registering to vote.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The definition of "military-overseas ballot" in
section 3502 of Title 25 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended and the section is amended by adding a
definition to read:
§ 3502. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
* * *
"Electronic ballot." A vote cast and transmitted through
electronic means which include, but are not limited to, e-mail
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or facsimile.
* * *
"Military-overseas ballot." All of the following:
(1) A Federal write-in absentee ballot.
(2) A ballot specifically prepared or distributed for
use by a covered voter in accordance with this chapter.
(3) A ballot cast by a covered voter in accordance with
this chapter.
(4) An electronic ballot.
* * *
Section 2. Sections 3503(c) and 3505(c) of Title 25 are
amended to read:
§ 3503. Duties and responsibilities of secretary.
* * *
(c) Other duties.--The secretary shall do all of the
following:
(1) Establish an electronic transmission system through
which a covered voter may apply for and receive voter
registration materials, military-overseas ballots and other
information under this chapter.
(2) Develop standardized absentee-voting materials and
their electronic equivalents, authentication materials and
voting instructions to be used with the military-overseas
ballot of a voter authorized to vote in any jurisdiction in
this Commonwealth.
(3) To the extent reasonably possible, coordinate with
other states to carry out the provisions of this subsection.
(4) Prescribe the form and content of a declaration for
use by a covered voter who does not use the Federal write-in
absentee ballot in accordance with the following:
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(i) The declaration shall require the covered voter
to swear or affirm, under penalty of perjury, specific
representations pertaining to the voter's:
(A) identity;
(B) eligibility to vote;
(C) status as a covered voter; and
(D) timely and proper completion of a military-
overseas ballot.
(ii) The declaration shall be based on the FWAB
declaration, as modified to be consistent with this
chapter.
(iii) The secretary shall ensure that a form for the
execution of the declaration, including an indication of
the date of execution of the declaration, is a prominent
part of all balloting materials for which the declaration
is required.
(5) Establish an electronic transmission system in which
a covered voter under this chapter may cast an electronic
ballot. The electronic transmission system shall be
operational by January 1, 2017.
§ 3505. Registering to vote.
* * *
(c) Electronic transmission system.--The secretary shall
ensure that the electronic transmission system described in
section 3503(c) (relating to duties and responsibilities of
secretary) is capable of accepting a Federal postcard
application, military-overseas ballot and any other approved
electronic registration application sent to the appropriate
county election board. The voter may use the electronic
transmission system or any other approved method to register to
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vote.
* * *
Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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