Session: 2023-2024
ACLU-PA Position: Opposes
SB 250 (PN 1432) would amend the Pennsylvania Election Code to require ballot paper vendors to create ballot paper that meets specific security standards, including the use of watermarked paper, holographic foils, and security inks. It would also require ballot paper meet certain size and weight specifications.
There is no question that preventing manipulation or counterfeiting of ballots should be a priority for any state government official. However, SB 250 would require multiple security measures that are not only unnecessary, but would likely not comply with voting system manufacturers’ current requirements for suitable paper. Furthermore, requiring holographic foil images is an unnecessary expenditure of taxpayer dollars. Holographic foil images are a standard for currency (paper money) and would be overkill to require them for ballots given current procedural safeguards. Similar requirements have been tried in other states and then abandoned.
Unfortunately, SB 250 is an unnecessary, unworkable, expensive, and unfunded mandate.
Check the bill's status here.
