Election Changes Starting in 2020 – What You Need to Know
On October 31, 2019, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf signed an election reform bill, Act 77 that will implement several “voter-friendly” election reforms.
A sampling of what will change include:
Now: Only voters who meet certain standards can vote by absentee ballot through the mail.
By April 2020: Any voter will be allowed to use a mail-in ballot. There will also be a permanent list for people who want to vote by mail every election, and ballots can be requested 50 days before an election.
Now: Pennsylvanians must register to vote no later than 30 days before an election.
By April 2020: Pennsylvanians will have up to 15 days before an election to register.
Now: Absentee ballots must be received by 5 p.m. Friday before Election Day.
By April 2020: Absentee and mail-in ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Now: Voters can check a single box on a ballot to vote for all candidates from a single political party.
By April 2020: Voters will have to select each candidate individually.
These updates to the Commonwealth’s election system will make voting more convenient and secure for Pennsylvanians.
Joel L. Frank, Scot R. Withers and William R. Christman III practice in Lamb McErlane’s Election Law department.