Burns backs election junk-mail bill

Bill would prohibit excessive, redundant mail from third parties

Rep. Frank Burns    April 28, 2021 | 3:23 PM

EBENSBURG, April 28 – After hearing from numerous constituents during the last election about confusing and excessive ballot applications being mailed to their homes, state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, has taken action and backed a bill that would ban the practice.

“Just like all my neighbors, my mailbox was flooded by these ballot applications from third parties,” Burns said. “It was excessive, unnecessary and frustrating. This legislation would put a stop to that and hold these groups accountable.”

In 2020, a record number of Pennsylvanians cast their votes by mail, but many eligible voters across the state were frustrated and confused by mail-in ballot applications sent to them by third-party organizations. Most third-party organizations do not ensure the accuracy of their mail-in ballot applications, leading to outdated or inaccurate prefilled information being sent to voters.

House Bill 1270, which Burns is co-sponsoring, would prohibit third-party organizations from sending ballot applications to eligible voters.

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