Voting and election-related bills taken up in 2022 by Pa. Legislature

Voting and election-related legislation will be amongst the proposals getting top billing when Pennsylvania lawmakers return to session.

There are deadlines that have to be met for the state’s new Congressional and state legislative districts. Redistricting has become a high-profile exercise — especially in today’s highly charged political atmosphere. Republicans and Democrats want to make sure the opposing party doesn’t have an advantage while the state Constitution dictates fairness and equality.

Also, a Republican sponsored voting reform bill will be taken up. Under that legislation, the deadlines to register to vote and apply for a mail-in ballot would be earlier than they are now: new voters or those whose information has changed would have to register with their county at least a month before an election, instead of 15 days before. Mail ballot applications would need to be turned in at least 15 days ahead of time, replacing the current seven-day deadline.

WITF’s Capitol Bureau Chief Sam Dunklau is on Tuesday’s Smart Talk to provide details of these and other issues.