PA HB115

Candidates for federal, state, and local offices in Pennsylvania may gain ballot access by either submitting a traditional nomination petition or paying a filing fee in lieu of collecting signatures

Filing fees range from $38,500 for President, U.S. Senator, and statewide offices down to $3,000 for State House Representatives, with intermediate tiers of $10,000 for U.S. House and $5,000 for State Senate and judicial positions

Filing fee revenue is distributed between the Department of State and county boards of elections, with funds restricted to petition processing and primary election administration costs

Nomination petition filing fees must be paid in full by the 10th Tuesday before the primary election, with no refunds if a candidate withdraws

The Department of State must issue receipts for fee payments and certify compliant candidates to county boards after the withdrawal deadline