PRINTER'S NO. 2131
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
1372
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY BROOKS, MASTRIANO, HUTCHINSON, ARGALL, ARNOLD AND
PITTMAN, NOVEMBER 20, 2020
REFERRED TO STATE GOVERNMENT, NOVEMBER 20, 2020
AN ACT
Providing for a recount of votes in certain counties, for
separation of vote counts and for a report by the Department
of State relating to the 2020 general election.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the 2020 General
Election Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words
and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Department." The Department of State of the Commonwealth.
"Election." The general election held on November 3, 2020.
Section 3. Recount of votes.
(a) Recount.--If a court determines that a county violated
the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the
Pennsylvania Election Code, in the conduct of the election, or a
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county election official or poll worker submits a sworn
affidavit to the department or a district attorney alleging a
county violated the Pennsylvania Election Code in the conduct of
the election, the county shall recount the votes cast.
(b) Expenses.--Any expenses of a county associated with
recount under subsection (a) shall be paid by the department.
Section 4. Separation of vote counts.
A county shall do the following:
(1) Keep a separate count of votes from ballots received
prior to 8 p.m. on November 3, 2020.
(2) Keep a separate count of votes from ballots received
after 8 p.m. on November 3, 2020, and delivered by 5 p.m.
November 6, 2020, that were postmarked by 8 p.m. on November
3, 2020.
Section 5. Report to General Assembly.
(a) Report.--The department shall submit a report to the
General Assembly regarding how the following complaints relating
to the election were investigated:
(1) Complaints submitted to the Bureau of Commissions,
Elections and Legislation of the department regarding
violations of Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002
(Public Law 107-252, 42 U.S.C. ยง 15301 et seq.).
(2) Complaints submitted to the department through the
department's formal election complaint publicly accessible
Internet website.
(3) Complaints submitted to the department through the
voter hotline.
(b) Contents.--The information in the report under
subsection (a) shall include the complaint, polling precinct and
county in which the complaint originated, what actions the
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department took to investigate the complaint and the outcome of
the investigation.
(c) Submission.--The department shall submit the report to
the General Assembly within 30 days of the effective date of
this section.
Section 6. Effective date.
This act shall take effect immediately.
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