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PA HB1278
Bill
Status
4/22/2025
Primary Sponsor
Nathan Davidson
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AI Summary
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Replaces sworn affidavits with unsworn statements for candidates filing nomination petitions, certificates, and papers in Pennsylvania elections, subjecting false statements to penalties under 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904 (unsworn falsification to authorities).
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Applies to candidates for all levels of office including U.S. Senator, Representative in Congress, state, county, city, borough, township, school district, and party positions such as delegates to national conventions.
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Requires candidate statements to include residence, election district, office sought, eligibility confirmation, commitment not to violate election laws, awareness of campaign finance reporting requirements, and certification of not running for multiple offices with overlapping terms.
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Candidates who make false statements about eligibility or qualifications may be liable for up to $10,000 in court costs, filing fees, attorney fees, and investigation fees if removed from the ballot through litigation.
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Takes effect 60 days after enactment.
Legislative Description
In dates of elections and primaries and special elections, further providing for affidavits of can didates; in nomination of candidates, further providing for affidavits of candidates, for statement of candidates for delegates to national conventions, for Secretary of the Commonwealth to furnish county boards with list of candidates and candidates to be notified, for nominations by political bodies, for examination of nomination petitions, certificates and papers and return of rejected nomination petitions, certificates and papers and for affidavits of candidates; and, in penalties, further providing for false affidavits of candidates and for false signatures and statements in nomination petitions and papers.
Last Action
Laid on the table
2/3/2026