Ortitay Bill to Bring PA into Compliance with Federal Election Law Approved by House

October 7, 2026

HARRISBURG – This week, the House passed legislation authored by Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) that would bring Pennsylvania’s Election Code into alignment with the federal Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022.

“More than 20 states have already brought their election code into compliance, and it’s time Pennsylvania did the same,” Ortitay said. “This legislation doesn’t change the way Pennsylvanians’ ballots are cast, counted or canvased. It only deals with the deadlines after the votes are in.”

House Bill 2542 would make four changes. First, it would require the Secretary of the Commonwealth to certify election results no later than the fifth Tuesday after Election Day. Second, if the secretary believes this certification cannot be completed by the deadline, he or she must report the cause of the hold-up to the General Assembly at least seven days before the deadline. Third, when a decision of the county board of election is appealed, the appeal court must hear the case without delay, putting aside its other matters. Appeals must be decided within seven days of filing. Fourth, an appeal of that decision to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court must be done within one day of the decision. The Supreme Court then has six days to render a decision or seven days prior to the date for the meeting of presidential electors, whichever comes first.

The bill now goes to the Senate for its consideration.

The 46th Legislative District includes South Fayette Township and McDonald and Oakdale boroughs in Allegheny County. It also encompasses Cecil, Chartiers, Mt. Pleasant and North Strabane (Districts 6,7,8 and 9) townships and Canonsburg, Houston and McDonald boroughs in Washington County.

Representative Jason Ortitay
46th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tracy Polovick
717.260.6358
tpolovick@pahousegop.com
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