Rep. Valerie Gaydos announced on Apr. 17 an update regarding House Bill 981, following comments from Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt about ongoing challenges with Pennsylvania’s voter data systems.
The issue centers around difficulties in maintaining accurate voter registration records when residents move within the state, as highlighted by Schmidt. He said there are gaps in how address changes are reflected across different government systems.
House Bill 981, referred to as the “Voter Motor” bill, has been introduced and is currently awaiting consideration by the House Communications and Technology Committee. The proposed legislation aims to connect state and local agencies so that updates to voter registration addresses can be processed more efficiently and securely. “Recent reporting makes it clear our systems are not keeping up with how often people move and update their information,” Gaydos said. “House Bill 981 is a practical step forward. It connects agencies so updates happen faster and more accurately, which means fewer headaches for residents and better service across the board.”
The bill builds upon the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (the Motor Voter Act) by allowing updated voter information to be shared between agencies such as the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, helping keep records current while streamlining services for residents who have moved.
According to her official website, Gaydos has acted as an angel investor in startup companies, contributed to community service through organizations like Standing Firm and Pittsburgh Honor Flight Network, advocated for efficient government policies including pro-business legislation and small business growth, chaired several caucuses in the Pennsylvania House—including Life Sciences, Cancer, and Cyber Security—and sponsored four bills that became law covering pharmaceutical protections, cyber security improvements, support for human trafficking victims, and prescription drug transparency.
Gaydos said her legislation would help confirm residency for services while ensuring that residents receive timely information about their rights when they move. The next steps will depend on further review by the committee.
