PRINTER'S NO. 1023
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
820
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY MASTRIANO AND SCAVELLO, AUGUST 11, 2021
REFERRED TO STATE GOVERNMENT, AUGUST 11, 2021
AN ACT
Providing for the designation of the first Tuesday in the month
of November as an annual State holiday to be known as
"Election Day."
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Legislative findings.
The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) Elections are the human bridge of accountability
between elected officials and the constituency.
(2) Article VII of the Constitution of Pennsylvania,
entitled Elections, and consisting of 14 sections, further
attests to the inherent voting rights of every qualified
citizen.
(3) Voting rights are executed by residents through the
participation of formal elections duly comprised of the
diversified polity of the Commonwealth.
(4) Elections are fundamental to our Republic in which
the government is chosen through the electoral process and
governed by the people.
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(5) Voting is a right and privilege that is a civil duty
and responsibility of residents within a free society.
(6) It is deemed plausible to set aside time to
commemorate the importance of Election Day for the
preservation and sustainability of our great Republic.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Election Day." The day of the general election held
biennially on the Tuesday next following the first Monday of
November in each even-numbered year.
"Employee." An individual from whose wages an employer is
required under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-
514, 26 U.S.C. ยง 1 et seq.) to withhold Federal income tax.
"Employer." An individual, partnership, association,
corporation, governmental body or unit or agency, or any other
entity who or that is required under the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 to withhold Federal income tax from wages paid to an
employee.
"Government entity." A Commonwealth agency or political
subdivision.
"Political subdivision." A county, city, borough,
incorporated town, township or school district of this
Commonwealth or an agency designated to act on behalf of a
county, city, borough, incorporated town, township, or school
district of this Commonwealth.
Section 3. Designation.
The first Tuesday during the month of November, Election Day,
is designated an annual State holiday.
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Section 4. Commonwealth employer.
This act shall require an employer of the Commonwealth or
political subdivision to provide two hours of paid leave to an
employee during the civic holiday recognized as Election Day.
Section 5. Construction.
Nothing in this act shall be construed as requiring a private
employer to treat the first Tuesday during the month of November
as a legal or official holiday or to provide paid leave to an
employee on any given Election Day solely by virtue of the date
being designated under this act.
Section 6. Effective date.
This act shall take effect immediately.
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