Recently, there have been several schemes in which billionaires hand out money or offer the opportunity for individuals to win money for signing a petition, registering to vote, and/or casting a vote in our commonwealth.

Paying people money to participate in elections erodes public trust and undermines our collective faith in an election system free from undue influence. While these schemes are outrageous, dangerous, and anti-constitutional, they are not currently illegal under Pennsylvania law.

Recently, the Pennsylvania General Assembly acted to prohibit unaccountable third-party election grants to county election offices from billionaires or their PACs, and we believe Pennsylvania needs to act again to ensure that billionaires are not influencing the outcomes of our free and fair elections. In the near future, we will introduce legislation to amend the Pennsylvania Elections Code to make it illegal to pay another person to vote or register to vote. Our bill will include, but is not limited to, a chance to win a lottery or similar prize-drawing contest in exchange for participation. This legislation will also address misleading the public into believing prizes are available to participants at random when, in reality, the winners were predetermined. 

Please join us in cosponsoring this important legislation. 

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 1519 (Apr 28, 2025): P.L.1333, No.320