PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 3977, 4025

PRINTER'S NO. 4335

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

No.

2626

Session of

2020

INTRODUCED BY MOUL, RYAN, JAMES, STAATS, MILLARD, PYLE, THOMAS,

MENTZER, SCHLEGEL CULVER AND GAYDOS, JUNE 23, 2020

AS AMENDED ON SECOND CONSIDERATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

and defining membership of county boards of elections;

imposing duties upon the Secretary of the Commonwealth,

courts, county boards of elections, county commissioners;

imposing penalties for violation of the act, and codifying,

revising and consolidating the laws relating thereto; and

repealing certain acts and parts of acts relating to

elections," in the Secretary of the Commonwealth, further

providing for powers and duties of the Secretary of the

Commonwealth; in county boards of elections, further

providing for powers and duties of county boards; in

ballots, for voting by absentee electors and for canvassing

of official absentee ballots and mail-in ballots; in voting

by qualified mail-in electors, further providing for

applications for official mail-in ballots, for date of

application for mail-in ballot, for approval of application

for mail-in ballot, for official mail-in elector ballots and

for voting by mail-in electors; and making a related repeal.

AMENDING THE ACT OF JUNE 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, NO.320), ENTITLED

"AN ACT CONCERNING ELECTIONS, INCLUDING GENERAL, MUNICIPAL,

SPECIAL AND PRIMARY ELECTIONS, THE NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES,

IMPOSING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF THE ACT, AND CODIFYING,

REVISING AND CONSOLIDATING THE LAWS RELATING THERETO; AND

REPEALING CERTAIN ACTS AND PARTS OF ACTS RELATING TO

ELECTIONS," IN PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS, FURTHER PROVIDING FOR

DEFINITIONS; IN SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH, PROVIDING FOR

REPORTS ON IMPLEMENTATION OF ELECTIONS; IN COUNTY BOARDS OF

ELECTIONS, FURTHER PROVIDING FOR POWERS AND DUTIES OF COUNTY

BOARDS, FOR RECORDS AND DOCUMENTS TO BE OPEN TO PUBLIC

INSPECTION AND PROVISO, FOR PRESERVATION OF RECORDS AND FOR

WATCHERS OR ATTORNEYS AT SESSIONS OF COUNTY BOARD AND

OR MAILING BALLOTS, FOR VOTING BY ABSENTEE ELECTORS AND FOR

CANVASSING OF OFFICIAL ABSENTEE BALLOTS AND MAIL-IN BALLOTS;

IN STATEWIDE UNIFORM REGISTRY OF ELECTORS ADVISORY BOARD,

PROVIDING FOR SURE REQUIREMENTS; IN VOTING BY QUALIFIED MAIL-

IN ELECTORS, FURTHER PROVIDING FOR APPLICATIONS FOR OFFICIAL

MAIL-IN BALLOTS, FOR DATE OF APPLICATION FOR MAIL-IN BALLOT,

FOR OFFICIAL MAIL-IN ELECTOR BALLOTS, FOR DELIVERING OR

MAILING BALLOTS AND FOR VOTING BY MAIL-IN ELECTORS; IN

PENALTIES, PROVIDING FOR AN ENHANCEMENT OF PENALTIES FOR

CERTAIN VIOLATIONS; AND MAKING AN EDITORIAL CHANGE.

Commonwealth.--The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall exercise

in the manner provided by this act all powers granted to him by

this act, and shall perform all the duties imposed upon him by

this act, which shall include the following:

* * *

(i) To develop a tracking system by which each ballot,

absentee ballot and mail-in ballot is assigned a unique

scannable identification number to ensure that multiple ballots

are not cast by a qualified elector.

Section 2. Section 302(p) of the act, amended March 27, 2020

exercise, in the manner provided by this act, all powers granted

to them by this act, and shall perform all the duties imposed

upon them by this act, which shall include the following:

* * *

(p) A county board of elections shall not pay compensation

to a judge of elections who wilfully fails to deliver by two

o'clock A. M. on the day following the election envelopes;

supplies, including all uncast provisional ballots; and returns,

including all provisional ballots cast in the election district

and [statements signed under sections 1306 and 1302-D.]

completed absentee ballot and envelopes containing the

Section 1231.1. Deadline for Change of Enrollment of

Political Party.--Not later than thirty days prior to an

election, a registered elector who desires to change the

enrollment of political designation or who, although registered,

has not previously enrolled as a member of a party may appear

before a commissioner, registrar or clerk or may submit an

application by mail under 25 Pa.C.S. § 1324 (relating to

application by mail) and state in a signed writing the political

party in which the registered elector desires to be enrolled. If

evidence of identity, a mark may be made in lieu of a signature

by a registered elector who is unable to write. The mark must be

made in the presence of a witness who must sign the registration

application.

Section 4. Section 1302(i)(1) of the act, amended March 27,

2020 (P.L.41, No.12), is amended to read:

Section 1302. Applications for Official Absentee Ballots.--*

* *

(i) (1) Application for official absentee ballots shall be

on physical and electronic forms prescribed by the Secretary of

the Commonwealth.

elections to be spoiled and signs a statement subject to the

penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904 (relating to unsworn

falsification to authorities) to the same effect.] except by

provisional ballot. The application shall also state that an

elector may deliver an absentee ballot and the envelope

containing the declaration of the elector to the judge of

elections of the elector's election district at the elector's

polling place during the hours that the polling place is open on

election day.

(1.3) [Such electronic] Electronic application forms shall

be made freely available to the public through publicly

accessible means.

(1.4) No written application or personal request shall be

necessary to receive or access the application forms.

(1.5) Copies and records of all completed physical and

electronic applications for official absentee ballots shall be

retained by the county board of elections.

* * *

Section 5. Section 1302.1(a) and (a.3)(1) and (2) of the

act, amended October 31, 2019 (P.L.552, No.77), are amended to

determines that it would be appropriate to its operational

needs, any applications for absentee ballots received more than

fifty (50) days before the primary or election may be processed

before that time. Applications for absentee ballots shall be

processed if received not later than five o'clock P.M. of the

[first Tuesday] fifteenth day prior to the day of any primary or

election.

(a.3) (1) The following categories of electors may apply

for an absentee ballot under this subsection, if otherwise

prior to the day of the primary or election.

(ii) An elector who, because of the elector's business,

duties or occupation, was unable to apply for an absentee ballot

before five o'clock P.M. on the [first Tuesday] fifteenth day

prior to the day of the primary or election.

(iii) An elector who becomes so physically disabled or ill

after five o'clock P.M. on the [first Tuesday] fifteenth day

prior to the day of the primary or election that the elector is

unable to appear at the polling place on the day of the primary

or election.

(iv) An elector who, because of the conduct of the elector's

(2) An elector described in paragraph (1) may submit an

application for an absentee ballot at any time up until the time

of the closing of the polls on the day of the primary or

election. The application shall include a declaration describing

the circumstances that prevented the elector from applying for

an absentee ballot before five o'clock P.M. on the [first

Tuesday] fifteenth day prior to the day of the primary or

election or that prevent the elector from appearing at the

polling place on the day of the primary or election, and the

Section 6. Sections 1302.2(c), 1303(e) and 1306(a)

introductory paragraph and (b)(3) of the act, amended March 27,

2020 (P.L.41, No.12), are amended to read:

Section 1302.2. Approval of Application for Absentee

Ballot.--

* * *

(c) The county board of elections, upon receipt of any

application of a qualified elector required to be registered

under the provisions of preceding section 1301, shall determine

the qualifications of such applicant by verifying the proof of

identification and comparing the information set forth on such

qualified elector. Such challenges must be made to the county

board of elections prior to five o'clock p.m. on the Friday

prior to the election, or during the pre-canvassing of an

elector's absentee ballot, whichever is earlier: Provided,

however, That a challenge to an application for an absentee

ballot shall not be permitted on the grounds that the elector

used an application for an absentee ballot instead of an

application for a mail-in ballot or on the grounds that the

elector used an application for a mail-in ballot instead of an

elector who receives an absentee ballot pursuant to section 1301

and whose voted ballot is not timely received by the commission

or voted ballot and the envelope containing the declaration of

the elector is timely received by the judge of elections of the

elector's election district at the elector's polling place on

election day and who, on election day, is capable of voting at

the appropriate polling place may only vote on election day by

provisional ballot [unless the elector brings the elector's

absentee ballot to the elector's polling place, remits the

ballot and the envelope containing the declaration of the

elector to the judge of elections to be spoiled and signs a

the day of the primary or election, the elector shall, in

secret, proceed to mark the ballot only in black lead pencil,

indelible pencil or blue, black or blue-black ink, in fountain

pen or ball point pen, and then fold the ballot, enclose and

securely seal the same in the envelope on which is printed,

stamped or endorsed "Official Election Ballot." This envelope

shall then be placed in the second one, on which is printed the

form of declaration of the elector, and the address of the

elector's county board of election and the local election

person to said county board of election or to the judge of

elections of the elector's election district at the elector's

polling place.

* * *

(b) * * *

(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), an elector who requests

an absentee ballot and who is not shown on the district register

as having voted the ballot may [vote at the polling place if the

elector remits the ballot and the envelope containing the

declaration of the elector to the judge of elections to be

spoiled and the elector signs a statement subject to the

ballot, and that instead I remitted my absentee ballot or

mail-in ballot and the envelope containing the declaration of

the elector to the judge of elections at my polling place to

be spoiled and therefore request that my absentee ballot or

mail-in ballot be voided.

(Date)

(Signature of Elector) ................(Address of Elector)

(Local Judge of Elections)] deliver the completed absentee

ballot to the judge of elections of the elector's election

district register as having voted the ballot may [vote at the

polling place if the elector remits the ballot and the

envelope containing the declaration of the elector to the

judge of elections to be spoiled and the elector signs a

statement subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904

(relating to unsworn falsification to authorities) which

shall be in substantially the following form:

I hereby declare that I am a qualified registered elector

who has obtained an absentee ballot or mail-in ballot. I

further declare that I have not cast my absentee ballot or

mail-in ballot, and that instead I remitted my absentee

ballot and the envelope containing the declaration of the

elector to the judge of elections of the elector's election

district at the elector's polling place.

* * *

Section 11. Repeals are as follows:

(1) The General Assembly declares that the repeal under

paragraph (2) is necessary for the addition of section

1231.1.

(2) 25 Pa.C.S § 1503 is repealed.

SECTION 1. SECTION 102(A.1) AND (Q.1) OF THE ACT OF JUNE 3,

* * *

(A.1) THE WORD "CANVASS" SHALL MEAN THE [GATHERING OF

BALLOTS AFTER THE FINAL PRE-CANVASS MEETING AND THE COUNTING,

COMPUTING AND TALLYING OF THE VOTES REFLECTED ON THE BALLOTS.]

ACTIVITIES PERMITTED UNDER SECTION 1308(G)(3) AND (4).

* * *

(Q.1) THE WORD "PRE-CANVASS" SHALL MEAN [THE INSPECTION AND

OPENING OF ALL ENVELOPES CONTAINING OFFICIAL ABSENTEE BALLOTS OR

MAIL-IN BALLOTS, THE REMOVAL OF SUCH BALLOTS FROM THE ENVELOPES

AND THE COUNTING, COMPUTING AND TALLYING OF THE VOTES REFLECTED

SECTION 209. REPORTS ON IMPLEMENTATION OF ELECTIONS.--(A)

NO LATER THAN SIXTY DAYS AFTER AN ELECTION, THE BUREAU OF

COMMISSIONS, ELECTIONS AND LEGISLATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF

STATE SHALL ISSUE A REPORT TO THE CHAIR AND MINORITY CHAIR OF

THE STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE OF THE SENATE AND THE CHAIR AND

MINORITY CHAIR OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF

FOLLOWING INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE

ELECTION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE, A COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS

OR A REGISTRATION COMMISSION ESTABLISHED UNDER 25 PA.C.S. § 1203

(RELATING TO COMMISSIONS):

(1) FOR EACH COUNTY AND THE SUM FOR THIS COMMONWEALTH, THE

NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR AN ABSENTEE BALLOT WHICH WERE

RECEIVED BY THE COUNTY BOARDS OF ELECTIONS.

(2) FOR EACH COUNTY AND THE SUM FOR THIS COMMONWEALTH, THE

NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR A MAIL-IN BALLOT WHICH WERE RECEIVED

BY THE COUNTY BOARDS OF ELECTIONS.

(3) FOR EACH COUNTY AND THE SUM FOR THIS COMMONWEALTH, THE

NUMBER OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS WHICH WERE VOTED BY QUALIFIED

ELECTORS.

(6) FOR EACH COUNTY AND THE SUM FOR THIS COMMONWEALTH, THE

NUMBER OF MAIL-IN BALLOTS WHICH WERE VOTED BY QUALIFIED

ELECTORS.

(7) FOR EACH COUNTY AND THE SUM FOR THIS COMMONWEALTH, THE

NUMBER OF PROVISIONAL BALLOTS CAST UNDER SECTION 1210(A.4).

(8) FOR EACH COUNTY AND THE SUM FOR THIS COMMONWEALTH, THE

NUMBER OF QUALIFIED ELECTORS VOTING BY A PROVISIONAL BALLOT

(10) FOR EACH COUNTY AND THE SUM FOR THIS COMMONWEALTH, THE

NUMBER OF PROVISIONAL BALLOTS UNDER PARAGRAPH (7) WHICH WERE

CANVASSED.

(11) FOR EACH COUNTY AND THE SUM FOR THIS COMMONWEALTH, THE

NUMBER OF PROVISIONAL BALLOTS UNDER PARAGRAPH (8) WHICH WERE

CANVASSED.

(12) FOR EACH COUNTY AND THE SUM FOR THIS COMMONWEALTH, THE

NUMBER OF PROVISIONAL BALLOTS UNDER PARAGRAPH (9) WHICH WERE

CANVASSED.

(13) FOR EACH COUNTY AND THE SUM FOR THIS COMMONWEALTH, THE

NUMBER OF VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATIONS UNDER SECTION 1231 AND

(15) FOR EACH COUNTY, THE DATE, STARTING TIME AND ENDING

TIME THAT THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS MET TO PRE-CANVASS

ABSENTEE BALLOTS AND MAIL-IN BALLOTS UNDER SECTION 1308(G)(1.1).

(16) FOR EACH COUNTY, THE DATE, STARTING TIME AND ENDING

TIME THAT THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS MET TO CANVASS ABSENTEE

BALLOTS AND MAIL-IN BALLOTS UNDER SECTION 1308(G)(2).

(17) FOR EACH COUNTY AND THE SUM FOR THIS COMMONWEALTH, THE

NUMBER OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS WHICH WERE CHALLENGED UNDER SECTION

1302.2(C).

NUMBER OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS SUBJECT TO CHALLENGES UNDER PARAGRAPH

(17) WHICH WERE NOT CANVASSED.

(20) FOR EACH COUNTY AND THE SUM FOR THIS COMMONWEALTH, THE

NUMBER OF MAIL-IN BALLOTS SUBJECT TO CHALLENGES UNDER PARAGRAPH

(18) WHICH WERE NOT CANVASSED.

(21) THE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS KNOWN TO THE DEPARTMENT OF

STATE, COUNTY BOARDS OF ELECTIONS OR REGISTRATION COMMISSIONS

RELATING TO EACH OF THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES:

(I) AN ABSENTEE BALLOT OR MAIL-IN BALLOT WHICH WAS SENT TO

THE WRONG INDIVIDUAL OR WRONG ADDRESS.

(II) AN ABSENTEE BALLOT OR MAIL-IN BALLOT WHICH WAS VOTED BY

REVIEW OF ANY ACTION TAKEN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE, COUNTY

BOARDS OF ELECTIONS OR REGISTRATION COMMISSIONS IN RESPONSE TO

AN INCIDENT UNDER PARAGRAPH (21), INCLUDING DETERMINATIONS MADE

ON THE INCIDENT, LEGAL ACTIONS FILED AND REFERRALS TO LAW

ENFORCEMENT.

(23) A REVIEW OF ISSUES OR INCIDENTS ENCOUNTERED WITH AN

ELECTRONIC VOTING SYSTEM THAT RECEIVED THE APPROVAL OF THE

SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH UNDER SECTION 1105-A, INCLUDING

ANY TECHNICAL ISSUES ENCOUNTERED AT POLLING PLACES.

PA.C.S. PT. IV IN A COUNTY WHICH CONDUCTS AN ELECTION, AS

APPLICABLE. A COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS OR REGISTRATION

COMMISSION UNDER THIS SUBSECTION SHALL COMPLY WITH THE PROCESS

FOR SUBMISSION OF DATA UNDER THIS SUBSECTION NO LATER THAN

FORTY-FIVE DAYS AFTER AN ELECTION.

SECTION 3. SECTION 302(P) OF THE ACT, AMENDED MARCH 27, 2020

(P.L.41, NO.12), IS AMENDED TO READ:

SECTION 302. POWERS AND DUTIES OF COUNTY BOARDS.--THE COUNTY

BOARDS OF ELECTIONS, WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTIES, SHALL

EXERCISE, IN THE MANNER PROVIDED BY THIS ACT, ALL POWERS GRANTED

TO THEM BY THIS ACT, AND SHALL PERFORM ALL THE DUTIES IMPOSED

INCLUDING ALL PROVISIONAL BALLOTS CAST IN THE ELECTION DISTRICT

AND [STATEMENTS SIGNED UNDER SECTIONS 1306 AND 1302-D.] ALL

MATERIAL DELIVERED UNDER SECTIONS 1306(B)(3)(I) AND 1306-D(B)(3)

(I).

SECTION 4. SECTIONS 308, 309, 310(A), 402(A) AND 417(B) OF

THE ACT ARE AMENDED TO READ:

SECTION 308. RECORDS AND DOCUMENTS TO BE OPEN TO PUBLIC

INSPECTION; PROVISO.--THE RECORDS OF EACH COUNTY BOARD OF

ELECTIONS, GENERAL AND DUPLICATE RETURNS, TALLY PAPERS,

AND RECORDS IN ITS CUSTODY, EXCEPT THE CONTENTS OF BALLOT BOXES

AND VOTING MACHINES AND RECORDS OF ASSISTED VOTERS, SHALL BE

OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION, EXCEPT AS HEREIN PROVIDED, AND MAY BE

INSPECTED AND COPIED BY ANY QUALIFIED ELECTOR OF THE COUNTY

DURING ORDINARY BUSINESS HOURS, AT ANY TIME WHEN THEY ARE NOT

NECESSARILY BEING USED BY THE BOARD, OR ITS EMPLOYES HAVING

DUTIES TO PERFORM THERETO: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT SUCH PUBLIC

INSPECTION THEREOF SHALL ONLY BE IN THE PRESENCE OF A MEMBER OR

AUTHORIZED EMPLOYE OF THE COUNTY BOARD, AND SHALL BE SUBJECT TO

PROPER REGULATION FOR SAFEKEEPING OF THE RECORDS AND DOCUMENTS,

AND SUBJECT TO THE FURTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT: AND PROVIDED

THEIR USE OF SAID PAPERS IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH COMPUTATION AND

CANVASSING[.]: AND PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT RECORDINGS OF PRE-

CANVASSING MEETINGS SHALL BE OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION UNDER

THIS SECTION ONLY AFTER THE CLOSE OF POLLS ON ELECTION DAY; AND

PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT RECORDINGS OF PRE-CANVASSING MEETINGS

SHALL ALSO BE OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION UNDER THIS SECTION BY AN

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE UNDER SECTION 1308(G)(1.1)(VI): AND

PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT RECORDINGS OF CANVASSING MEETINGS SHALL

BE OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION UNDER THIS SECTION BY AN AUTHORIZED

ELEVEN (11) MONTHS, AND ALL OFFICIAL BALLOTS [AND], THE CONTENTS

OF BALLOT BOXES AND RECORDINGS OF PRE-CANVASSING MEETINGS AND

CANVASSING MEETINGS SHALL BE PRESERVED THEREIN FOR A PERIOD OF

AT LEAST FOUR (4) MONTHS; IN THE EVENT THE COUNTY BOARD HAS BEEN

NOTIFIED IN WRITING BY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY OF THE COUNTY, OR

BY A JUDGE OF A COURT OF RECORD, TO PRESERVE SAID [PAPERS OR

CONTENTS OF BALLOT BOXES] RECORDS FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME,

FOR THE PURPOSES OF PENDING PROSECUTION OR LITIGATION, SAID

RECORDS SHALL BE PRESERVED ACCORDINGLY.

SECTION 310. WATCHERS OR ATTORNEYS AT SESSIONS OF COUNTY

BOARD; CANDIDATES MAY BE PRESENT.--

OF ELECTIONS, AND AT ANY COMPUTATION AND CANVASSING OF RETURNS

OF ANY PRIMARY OR ELECTION AND RECOUNT OF BALLOTS OR RECANVASS

OF VOTING MACHINES UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT. SUCH

WATCHERS OR ATTORNEYS MAY EXERCISE THE SAME RIGHTS AS WATCHERS

AT REGISTRATION AND POLLING PLACES, BUT THE NUMBER WHO MAY BE

PRESENT AT ANY ONE TIME MAY BE LIMITED BY THE COUNTY BOARD TO

NOT MORE THAN THREE FOR EACH PARTY, POLITICAL BODY OR BODY OF

CITIZENS.

* * *

LOCATED. AN ELECTION OFFICER SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO BE A

QUALIFIED REGISTERED ELECTOR IN THE ELECTION DISTRICT IN WHICH

THE ELECTION OFFICER IS APPOINTED. NO PERSON SHALL BE QUALIFIED

TO SERVE AS AN ELECTION OFFICER WHO SHALL HOLD, OR SHALL WITHIN

TWO MONTHS HAVE HELD, ANY OFFICE, APPOINTMENT OR EMPLOYMENT IN

OR UNDER THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OR OF THIS STATE OR

OF ANY CITY OR COUNTY OR POOR DISTRICT, OF ANY MUNICIPAL BOARD,

COMMISSION OR TRUST IN ANY CITY, SAVE ONLY DISTRICT JUSTICES,

NOTARIES PUBLIC AND PERSONS IN THE MILITIA SERVICE OF THE STATE;

NOR SHALL ANY ELECTION OFFICER BE ELIGIBLE TO ANY CIVIL OFFICE

TO BE VOTED FOR AT A PRIMARY OR ELECTION AT WHICH HE SHALL

THE WATCHER WAS APPOINTED IS LOCATED]. EACH WATCHER SO APPOINTED

SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO SERVE IN THE ELECTION DISTRICT FOR WHICH

THE WATCHER WAS APPOINTED AND, WHEN THE WATCHER IS NOT SERVING

IN THE ELECTION DISTRICT FOR WHICH THE WATCHER WAS APPOINTED, IN

ANY OTHER ELECTION DISTRICT [IN THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE WATCHER

IS A QUALIFIED REGISTERED ELECTOR]: PROVIDED, THAT ONLY ONE

WATCHER FOR EACH CANDIDATE AT PRIMARIES, OR FOR EACH PARTY OR

POLITICAL BODY AT GENERAL, MUNICIPAL OR SPECIAL ELECTIONS, SHALL

BE PRESENT IN THE POLLING PLACE AT ANY ONE TIME FROM THE TIME

REMAIN OUTSIDE THE ENCLOSED SPACE. IT SHALL NOT BE A REQUIREMENT

THAT A WATCHER BE A RESIDENT OF THE ELECTION DISTRICT FOR WHICH

THE WATCHER IS APPOINTED. AFTER THE CLOSE OF THE POLLS AND WHILE

THE BALLOTS ARE BEING COUNTED OR VOTING MACHINE CANVASSED, ALL

THE WATCHERS SHALL BE PERMITTED TO BE IN THE POLLING PLACE

OUTSIDE THE ENCLOSED SPACE. EACH WATCHER SHALL BE PROVIDED WITH

A CERTIFICATE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS, STATING HIS

NAME AND THE NAME OF THE CANDIDATE, PARTY OR POLITICAL BODY HE

REPRESENTS. WATCHERS SHALL BE REQUIRED TO SHOW THEIR

CERTIFICATES WHEN REQUESTED TO DO SO. WATCHERS ALLOWED IN THE

POLLING PLACE UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT, SHALL BE

AND EITHER OF THE TWO NUMBERED LISTS OF VOTERS MAINTAINED BY THE

COUNTY BOARD: PROVIDED, THAT THE WATCHER SHALL NOT MARK UPON OR

ALTER THESE OFFICIAL ELECTION RECORDS. THE JUDGE OF ELECTIONS

SHALL SUPERVISE OR DELEGATE THE INSPECTION OF ANY REQUESTED

DOCUMENTS.

* * *

SECTION 5. SECTION 1302(I)(1) OF THE ACT, AMENDED MARCH 27,

2020 (P.L.41, NO.12), IS AMENDED AND THE SUBSECTION IS AMENDED

BY ADDING PARAGRAPHS TO READ:

EMPLOYE OF THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS AT A LOCATION AT THE

COUNTY COURTHOUSE DESIGNATED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS OR

TO THE JUDGE OF ELECTIONS OF THE ELECTOR'S ELECTION DISTRICT AT

THE ELECTOR'S POLLING PLACE DURING POLLING HOURS AND TO NO OTHER

LOCATION.

* * *

(B) * * *

(3) NOTWITHSTANDING PARAGRAPH (2), AN ELECTOR WHO REQUESTS

AN ABSENTEE BALLOT AND WHO IS NOT SHOWN ON THE DISTRICT REGISTER

AS HAVING VOTED THE BALLOT MAY [VOTE AT THE POLLING PLACE IF THE

ELECTOR REMITS THE BALLOT AND THE ENVELOPE CONTAINING THE

HAS OBTAINED AN ABSENTEE BALLOT OR MAIL-IN BALLOT. I FURTHER

DECLARE THAT I HAVE NOT CAST MY ABSENTEE BALLOT OR MAIL-IN

BALLOT, AND THAT INSTEAD I REMITTED MY ABSENTEE BALLOT OR

MAIL-IN BALLOT AND THE ENVELOPE CONTAINING THE DECLARATION OF

THE ELECTOR TO THE JUDGE OF ELECTIONS AT MY POLLING PLACE TO

BE SPOILED AND THEREFORE REQUEST THAT MY ABSENTEE BALLOT OR

MAIL-IN BALLOT BE VOIDED.

(DATE)

(SIGNATURE OF ELECTOR)................(ADDRESS OF ELECTOR)