I will soon introduce legislation to clarify one of the many steps in the daunting process of running for public office.
 

Between filing the correct paperwork, gathering signatures, and knocking on doors, it’s not easy simply getting your name on the ballot. For many Pennsylvanians, the process can seem confusing and out of reach. 
 

To complicate matters, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the legislature passed a law enabling candidates to submit unsworn statements to the Department of State without notarization. While well-intentioned, this change was incomplete; it amended only part of the relevant law, elsewhere still requiring notarized affidavits.
 

To address this inconsistency, I am proposing legislation to clarify the requirement for unsworn statements—not notarized affidavits— to accompany a candidate’s petition packet. This simple change will minimize unnecessary complexity in the filing process and reduce a barrier to participation for potential candidates. 
 

I hope you will join me in co-sponsoring this proposal to modernize the petition filing process and make it easier for more Pennsylvanians to run for office.