Election Campaign and Political Law in Pennsylvania
This page covers election campaign and political law as it applies in Pennsylvania — the state and federal laws that govern it, filing deadlines, where to get help, and notable in-state decisions. For what election campaign and political protects generally, see the national overview.
Compiled from primary legal sourcesNot legal adviceHow we source this
Laws that govern election campaign and political in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania state law
- Title 3 - Agriculture › Chapter 93 - Race Horse Industry ReformPA 3 § 3-9319
- Title 4 - Amusements › Chapter 12 - Pennsylvania Gaming Control BoardPA 4 § 4-1202.1
- Title 42 - Judiciary and Judicial Procedure › Chapter 7 - Jurisdiction of Appellate CourtsPA 42 § 42-762
- Title 61 - Prisons and Parole › Chapter 61 - Pennsylvania Board of Probation and ParolePA 61 § 61-6122
- Title 65 - Public Officers › Chapter 11 - Ethics Standards and Financial DisclosurePA 65 § 65-1102
- Title 65 - Public Officers › Chapter 11 - Ethics Standards and Financial DisclosurePA 65 § 65-1106
Federal law
- U.S. Constitution
The supreme law of the United States; its text and amendments guarantee core civil rights and liberties.
- Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971
Federal law that regulates campaign finance in U.S. federal elections. Established the Federal Election Commission. Codified at 52 U.S.C. §§ 30101 et seq. (formerly Title 2).
- Voting Rights Act of 1965
Landmark federal legislation prohibiting racial discrimination in voting. Originally codified at 42 U.S.C. §§ 1973 et seq.; recodified to Title 52 in 2014.
- Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (McCain-Feingold)
Banned soft money to national parties and restricted broadcast issue ads. Core provisions struck down in Citizens United (2010).
- Help America Vote Act of 2002
Post-2000-election reform: created the Election Assistance Commission, set voting-system standards, funded equipment upgrades. Codified at 52 U.S.C. ch. 209.
- National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (Motor Voter Act)
Requires states to offer voter registration at the DMV and other agencies, and limits removal of voters from rolls. Codified at 52 U.S.C. ch. 205.
- Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act
Guarantees absentee voting rights for U.S. service members and overseas citizens in federal elections. Codified at 52 U.S.C. ch. 203.
Where to go & how to get help
Government agencies and non-profit legal-help organizations for election campaign and political in Pennsylvania.
Official U.S. government starting point for finding free or low-cost legal help and legal-aid programs near you.
Locate the LSC-funded legal-aid organization that serves your county for civil (non-criminal) legal problems.
Find your state or local bar association lawyer-referral service and free legal-answer programs.
Find your state attorney general to file consumer-protection, civil-rights, or other complaints.
Not legal advice. State-specific statutes, deadlines and procedures are being sourced and will appear here.