House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

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House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	May 17, 2021 04:01 PM
From:	Representative Gary Day
To:	All House members
Subject:	Ballot Security with No Negative Impact on Voter Access

In the near future, I plan to introduce multiple pieces of legislation to address ballot security with no negative impact on voter access. It is imperative that all Pennsylvanians feel enfranchised and agree that the electoral process is fair. By not including reasonable security measures that have no impact on ballot access, disenfranchisement of Pennsylvanians will continue and these people will continue to have no confidence in the electoral process. I believe it’s our job to enact reasonable security measures that have little impact on ballot access. These types of additions to our law, allows me to confidently say that we have done everything in our power to secure equal access and security to the voting franchise.

Document #1

Introduced as HB29

Description:	This ballot security initiative will include that paper ballots must include timing marks, code channels and/or QR codes. Paper ballots shall have paper specifications (length, width, weight, capacity) and watermarks.

Document #2

Introduced as HB30

Description:	The request for Mail-In Ballot (MIB) is a sworn affidavit, verifying you are a qualified elector, your residence and that you are only voting in one location. It will require your attestation by signature (or thumbprint if a signature is considered a barrier to voting). The MIB may only be requested by the voter or their guardian, power of attorney or next of kin. A voter aide must sign the security envelop of the MIB and may only be an aide for up to 12 qualified electors. Finally, counties must have an election management system to track every MIB issues.

Document #3

Introduced as HB31

Description:	Any Drop box authorized to accept a voter’s ballot must accept one ballot at a time, affix a date/time stamp to the security envelop (when it was received), and scan/record the security envelop barcode. Counties shall allow oversight of the collection and transportation from the top three parties by registration. Drop Boxes shall be placed in staffed areas of Commonwealth or their subdivisions (excluding school district properties). Drop box locations shall be contracted to be video monitored during ballot access times. Finally, Mail-in ballot and/or Drop Box fraud will become a crime equivalent to Federal Mail Fraud.