Pennsylvania HB 1876: An Act amending Titles 11 (Cities) and 16 (Counties) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for vacancies in elected offices in cities of the first class, cities of the second class, cities of the second class A and cities of the third class; in county commissioners and chief clerks, further providing for election and vacancies; and making repeals.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2333
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1876
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY GUZMAN, HILL-EVANS AND DONAHUE, SEPTEMBER 23, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, SEPTEMBER 25, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Titles 11 (Cities) and 16 (Counties) of the
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for
vacancies in elected offices in cities of the first class,
cities of the second class, cities of the second class A and
cities of the third class; in county commissioners and chief
clerks, further providing for election and vacancies; and
making repeals.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Part II heading of Title 11 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended to read:
PART II
FIRST CLASS CITIES
[(Reserved)]
Section 2. Part II of Title 11 is amended by adding chapters
to read:
CHAPTER 21
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
§ 2101. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this part shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
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context clearly indicates otherwise:
"City." A city of the first class.
CHAPTER 28
VACANCIES IN OFFICE
§ 2801. Council and office of mayor.
(a) Special election.--If a vacancy occurs in the office of
mayor or other member of council in a city by reason of death,
resignation, removal or otherwise, the vacancy shall be filled
by a special election conducted in accordance with this section.
(b) Temporary appointment.--
(1) The governing body of a city may appoint an interim
officer to temporarily discharge the duties of the office
until the results of the special election are certified.
(2) An interim officer under this subsection may not be
eligible to be a candidate in the subsequent special election
for the same office.
(c) Timing of election.--
(1) The county board of elections in the county of the
vacancy shall schedule a special election to be held not
later than 90 days from the date on which the vacancy is
declared.
(2) If the office is subject to partisan election, each
political party entitled under law shall nominate candidates
through a special primary election to be held not later than
60 days from the date the vacancy is declared. A special
election shall be held not later than 30 days following the
certification of results of the special primaries.
(d) Term of office.--The officer elected in the special
election under this section shall serve for the remainder of the
unexpired term.
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Section 3. Part III heading of Title 11 is amended to read:
PART III
SECOND CLASS CITIES
[(Reserved)]
Section 4. Part III of Title 11 is amended by adding
chapters to read:
CHAPTER 31
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
§ 3101. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this part shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"City." A city of the second class.
CHAPTER 38
VACANCIES IN OFFICE
§ 3801. Council and office of mayor.
(a) Special election.--If a vacancy occurs in the office of
mayor or other member of council in a city by reason of death,
resignation, removal or otherwise, the vacancy shall be filled
by a special election conducted in accordance with this section.
(b) Temporary appointment.--
(1) The governing body of a city may appoint an interim
officer to temporarily discharge the duties of the office
until the results of the special election are certified.
(2) An interim officer under this subsection may not be
eligible to be a candidate in the subsequent special election
for the same office.
(c) Timing of election.--
(1) The county board of elections in the county of the
vacancy shall schedule a special election to be held not
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later than 90 days from the date on which the vacancy is
declared.
(2) If the office is subject to partisan election, each
political party entitled under law shall nominate candidates
through a special primary election to be held not later than
60 days from the date the vacancy is declared. A special
election shall be held not later than 30 days following the
certification of results of the special primaries.
(d) Term of office.--The officer elected in the special
election under this section shall serve for the remainder of the
unexpired term.
Section 5. Part IV heading of Title 11 is amended to read:
PART IV
SECOND CLASS A CITIES
[(Reserved)]
Section 6. Part IV of Title 11 is amended by adding chapters
to read:
CHAPTER 41
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
§ 4101. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this part shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"City." A city of the second class A.
CHAPTER 48
VACANCIES IN OFFICE
§ 4801. Council and office of mayo