Although it will not be in place in time for Tuesday’s election, new bipartisan compromise legislation to improve the voting experience and reform elections has been signed into law.
Act 77 of 2019 will reduce the deadline to register to vote from 30 days to 15 days before an election. It will also authorize a $90 million bond to help counties fund the purchase of new voting systems with a paper trail like the one that Butler County will use this week.
This Act will also create a new option to vote by mail up to 50 days before an election and allow people to join a list to permanently receive a ballot application by mail. Governor Wolf explains that voters will also have more time to return those mail-in ballots.
This law is expected to take effect in time for the April of 2020 primary election.