The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a wide-ranging election reform bill, House Bill 1396, without including a voter ID requirement. Despite earlier Republican support in committee, the voter ID provision was dropped ahead of the floor vote due to internal GOP concerns.
The final bill, backed by House Democrats, now advances to the state Senate.
Key Details
The dropped voter ID bill, HB771, was a nonstrict proposal that allowed multiple forms of identification and included an affidavit process for those without ID on Election Day.
Republicans initially supported the measure in committee but later withdrew support due to disagreements over the bill’s lack of a photo ID requirement.
House Speaker Joanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia) led the passage of the broader HB1396 legislation in a narrow 102-101 party-line vote.
Key features of HB1396 include:
- Authorization for pre-canvassing mail ballots before Election Day.
- Implementation of early voting.
- Required use of electronic poll books.
- Mail-in ballot rule clarifications.
- Codification of election security practices such as audits and machine testing.
Reactions or Statements
House Republican Leader Jesse Topper (R-Bedford) said his caucus had “specific concerns” about HB771 but did not elaborate on what those concerns were.
Rep. Dave Zimmerman (R-East Earl) criticized the nonstrict nature of the bill, saying it lacked a photo ID requirement and did not go far enough.
House Majority Leader Matthew Bradford (D-Montgomery) said Democrats remain skeptical of voter ID legislation, viewing it as a solution to a non-existent problem fueled by election misinformation.
Bradford also stated that Democrats would not support any law that “impairs or infringes the right to vote.”
Rep. Tim Bonner (R-Butler) opposed HB1396 on the floor, calling the mail-in voting expansion unconstitutional.
Secretary of State Al Schmidt expressed support for the reforms, highlighting their practical benefits for election administrators.
Investigation or What’s Next
The Senate will now review HB1396. Sen. Cris Dush (R-Centre), chair of the Senate committee overseeing election bills, has not commented on the House-passed legislation.
While House Democrats and Senate Republicans remain in communication, no formal deal to combine voter ID with broader reforms has been confirmed.
FAQs
Q: What happened to the voter ID bill in Pennsylvania?
A: Republican support collapsed before the House floor vote, and Democrats did not advance the bill, resulting in its exclusion from the final legislation.
Q: What are the key changes in HB1396?
A: HB1396 includes early voting, quicker processing of mail ballots, required use of electronic poll books, and codification of election security procedures.
Q: Why did Republicans oppose HB771 in the end?
A: Some GOP lawmakers, like Rep. Zimmerman, opposed it for not including a mandatory photo ID and allowing too many alternatives.
Q: Is voter ID completely off the table?
A: No. Stricter voter ID bills have been introduced but haven’t moved forward. Negotiations may continue between the House and Senate.
Q: What’s the current status of mail-in voting in PA?
A: Mail-in voting remains legal and constitutional under Act 77, with ongoing court validations.
Summary / Final Takeaway
The Pennsylvania House passed a landmark election reform bill in 2025 that enhances voting procedures but notably excludes a voter ID requirement. Internal GOP disagreements led to the collapse of voter ID legislation, while House Democrats moved forward with reforms to aid election efficiency and security. The bill now heads to the Senate, where its future remains uncertain.
