Pennsylvania House Passes Bill to Allow Earlier Processing of Mail-In Ballots

Pennsylvania’s county election officials are one step closer to achieving their goal of starting the preparation of mailed ballots for counting earlier than ever before. The state House recently passed legislation that would allow the processing of mail-in ballots to begin seven days prior to Election Day, a move that has sparked a heated debate among lawmakers.

Currently, the process of opening ballot envelopes and preparing them for counting cannot begin until 7 a.m. on Election Day. The proposed expansion of prep time has divided opinions, with Republicans expressing concerns about delayed results and potential distrust, while Democrats argue that it would lead to more timely results and restore voter confidence.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Scott Conklin, now heads to the Senate for consideration. However, GOP leaders in the Senate have hinted at potential amendments that could derail the progress made in the House.

Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, has expressed support for the bill, emphasizing the importance of improving election processes and restoring voter confidence. County officials from both parties have long advocated for pre-canvassing as a way to expedite the reporting of election results, particularly in high-turnout elections.

Despite some opposition from Republican lawmakers who fear potential vote tampering and delays in result reporting, proponents of the bill argue that it is a necessary reform to ensure efficient and secure elections. The legislation also addresses concerns about overlapping pre-election activities and aims to streamline the ballot processing process.

As the debate continues in the Senate, the fate of the bill remains uncertain. However, supporters remain hopeful that the bipartisan effort to improve election procedures will ultimately prevail. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.