25 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1102 (2026)
Definitions.
§ 1102. Definitions.
Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent provisions of this part which are applicable to specific provisions of this part, 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:
"Applicant." An individual who applies to be registered to vote as provided for in this part.
"Calendar year." The period commencing January 1 and ending December 31 next following.
"Commission." A registration commission established under section 1203 (relating to commissions).
"Commissioner." A member of a commission.
"County." A county of this Commonwealth. The term includes a county within which is located a city of the first class or with which a city of the first class is coextensive.
"County election board." The board of elections of a county.
"Department." The Department of State of the Commonwealth.
"District." An election district or precinct of a municipality.
"District register." The list of registered electors prepared by the commission under section 1402 (relating to district registers).
"Election." A general, special, municipal or primary election.
"General election." The election which the Constitution of Pennsylvania requires to be held in even-numbered years.
"General register." The list of registered electors prepared by the commission under section 1401 (relating to general register).
"In military service." Serving in the uniformed services as defined in section 102 of the Career Compensation Act of 1949 (Public Law 81-350, 63 Stat. 801) or serving in the Pennsylvania National Guard.
"Members of the United States merchant marine." Any of the following:
(1) Individuals employed as officers or members of crews of vessels documented under the law of the United States or of vessels owned by the United States or of vessels of foreign-flag registry under charter to or control of the United States. This paragraph does not include individuals in military service.
(2) Individuals enrolled with the United States for employment or for training for employment or maintained by the United States for emergency relief service as officers or members of crews of vessels referred to in paragraph (1). The term does not include individuals in military service or individuals employed or enrolled for employment or for training for employment or maintained for emergency relief on the Great Lakes or the inland waterways.
"Military elector." Any of the following:
(1) An individual in military service and the individual's spouse and dependents.
(2) An individual in the merchant marine and the individual's spouse and dependents.
(3) An individual in a religious or welfare group officially attached to and serving with the armed forces of the United States and the individual's spouse and dependents.
(4) An individual who is a civilian employee of the United States outside the territorial limits of the United States, whether or not the individual is subject to the civil service laws and whether or not the individual is paid from funds appropriated by Congress, and the individual's spouse and dependents.
"Municipal election." The election which the Constitution of Pennsylvania requires to be held in odd-numbered years.
"Municipality." A city, borough, town or township.
"November election." Either the general or the municipal election, or both, according to the context.
"Overseas citizen." An individual who resides outside the territorial limits of the United States and who, but for such residence, would be a qualified elector. The term does not include a military elector.
"Party." Any of the following:
(1) A party or political body, one of whose candidates at the general election immediately preceding the primary:
(i) polled, in each of at least ten counties, at least 2% of the largest entire vote cast in the county for any elected candidate; and
(ii) polled a total vote in this Commonwealth equal to at least 2% of the largest entire vote cast in this Commonwealth for any elected candidate.
(2) A party or political body, one of whose candidates at either the general or municipal election preceding the primary polled at least 5% of the largest entire vote cast for any elected candidate in any county.
"Person authorized to administer oaths." The term includes an individual who is a commissioned officer in military service or a member of the United States merchant marine designated for this purpose by the United States Secretary of Commerce.
"Person in military service." The term shall mean a qualified elector who is by enlistment, enrollment or draft in actual military service.
"Political body." A political body not recognized as a political party which has filed proper nomination papers as required by law.
"Primary election." An election for the nomination of candidates.
"Public office." Any Federal, State or political subdivision, office or position of employment requiring the individual elected or appointed to render public service for a fixed fee or compensation. The term does not include the office of notary public or commissioner of deeds.
"Qualified elector." An applicant who possesses all of the qualifications for voting prescribed by the Constitution of Pennsylvania and the laws of this Commonwealth or who, being otherwise qualified by continued residence in the election district, obtains such qualifications before the next ensuing election. The term does not include a military elector.
"Registrant" or "registered elector." A qualified elector who is registered to vote in accordance with this part.
"Registration card." A registration record containing all information required on the registration application, including the elector's signature, and suitable space for the insertion by the appropriate official of the following information:
(1) The ward and election district of residence.
(2) The registrant's street address.
(3) Data required to be given upon removal from the registrant's residence.
(4) The date of each election at which the registrant votes.
(5) The number and letter of the stub of the ballot issued to the registrant or the registrant's number in the order of admission to the voting machines.
(6) The initials of the election officer who enters the record of voting in the district register.
(7) Whether the registrant needs assistance to vote and, if so, the nature of the disability.
"Registration records." The general register, district register and any other record of registration maintained by a commission. The term includes any record maintained by the commission on the Statewide Uniform Registry of Electors.
"Secretary." The Secretary of the Commonwealth.
"Statewide Uniform Registry of Electors" or "SURE system." The integrated voter registration system of all registered electors in this Commonwealth established by Subchapter B of Chapter 12 (relating to Statewide Uniform Registry of Electors (SURE)).