House bill 1396 reforms election issues that have popped up because of no-excuse mail in ballots.

The 98 page bill passed the Democratic controlled Pennsylvania House on party lines in mid May.

The bill mandates that each county have at least two drop boxes, and sets out security standards for those drop boxes. It sets aside funds for all counties to get electronic poll books.

HB1396 updates several election deadlines: Election offices could start processing mail in ballots 7 days before election day (called pre-canvassing) instead of starting on election day. The deadline to apply for a mail in ballot would be moved to 14 days instead of 7 days before an election.

The bill also creates rules for early in-person voting.

There would be more audits and testing of voter systems. Mail in ballots would not have to be dated on the outside, and election officials could notify voters if their mail in ballot is missing the external signature. 

The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) offered feedback on the proposed changes.

“When it comes to pre-canvasing, we're all in favor of that,” Jeff Reber said, chair of the election committee at the CCAP. “Moving the mail in ballot deadline back to 14 days, that's all good. We’d prefer if it was 15 days, because that’s the same deadline for voter registration. So why not make them the same to avoid complications.”

Election officials say these measures can reduce stress and chaos leading up to and on election day.

“Some of the challenges that are in there… a lot of it has to do with drop boxes,” Reber said.

The County Commissioner’s Association does not have an official stance on drop boxes, but Reber says many commissioners have reached out with concern.

“Some of the smaller counties, for instance, don't feel the need. They are concerned it would complicate operations and be a financial burden,” Reber said.

The commission is not in favor of the early voting reform at this time, but members recognize a need for more conversation on the topic. 

“I can say with this last presidential election, and the influx of people we had come in within like the two weeks prior to the election,” Reber said. “[It] really was overwhelming for many of our elections offices.”

The Senate has not moved to bring the House bill up for a vote. Reber says the current legal draft has issues and bright spots, but that changes are needed.

“It can't be done by the house, can't be done by the senate, has to be done together,” Reber said. "But we also want that seat at the table, so we can explain to them the realities on the ground of what they're discussing. And how that can impact us in the voting process.”