Session: 2023-2024
ACLU-PA Position: Supports
HB 847 (PN 3018) would amend the PA Election Code to require county boards of elections to meet no earlier than 7 days before an election day to pre-canvas all ballots received prior to that meeting.
Current law prevents counties from pre-canvassing ballots prior to 7 a.m. on Election Day. This process is time consuming—it includes removing mail-in and absentee ballots from their envelopes, flattening the ballots for easier scanning, and checking for errors.
HB 847 would allow counties to begin preparing—but not counting—ballots before Election Day, thereby increasing the likelihood that election results are reported sooner.
Check the bill's status here.
