Gov. Tom Wolf signed the bill that changes the 2020 primary election to June 2, along with three other separate bills that help combat the coronavirus pandemic.

The governor signed Senate Bill 422 Friday, which reschedules the primary from April 28 to June 2 and makes other election process changes, including some due to the COVID-19 emergency.

“Delaying this year's primary election as several other states have done is in the best interests of voters, poll workers and county election officials,” Wolf said. “I commend the General Assembly for acting quickly on this critical legislation.”

The Butler County Elections Bureau released a statement Friday acknowledging the change and alerting residents about how it will affect absentee ballots.

Absentee ballot voters who applied because they were scheduled to be out of their municipality for the April 28 election day may contact the county bureau to either amend or cancel their application.

According to county officials, any other types of absentee ballots and all mail-in ballot applications that have been submitted will be continued to be processed.

Officials also noted that testing of the electronic voting system that was scheduled March 30 has been postponed and will be rescheduled later.

Sen. Elder Vogel Jr., R-47th, was the primary sponsor of the election bill, which was introduced last year. The bill's original purpose was to create the state Election Law Advisory Board, which would be tasked with reviewing and updating the state's election laws.

The bill passed a final Senate vote last June, before stalling in the House State Government Committee.

As the coronavirus pandemic struck, the House sent the bill to the floor Monday and gave the measure final passage Wednesday with a key amendment, addressing coronavirus concerns and moving the primary election date.

Vogel told the Eagle Wednesday that the legislators worked together to ensure the safety of Pennsylvania voters.

“By being in position for final legislative approval, my bill served as a way to fast-track the necessary statutory changes to provide for the well-being of voters and local poll workers during the upcoming primary election, and I certainly support those efforts,” Vogel said.

The amendment not only changes the date of the primary, but it will also allow local election bureaus to consolidate polling places and allow for poll workers to work outside their own precinct.

Wolf also emphasized the new option to vote by mail-in ballot, which will be available for the first time in the upcoming primary election. He said this will make it easier and safer for those whom may be at a higher risk from the coronavirus.

According to Wolf, more than 215,000 registered voters have signed up for either a mail-in or absentee ballot, with nearly 78 percent using the commonwealth's new online application. Those voters do not need to file new applications despite the change in the primary date.

Other actions

The governor signed three additional bills Friday. One provides $50 million for the purchase of medical equipment and supplies for hospitals, nursing facilities and emergency medical services to meet the urgent needs by patients and staff.

Another waives the requirement for schools to be in session at least 180 days, provides for continuity of education plans, ensures school employees are paid during the closure and provides the Secretary of Education with authority to waive student-teacher and standardized assessments.

The last bill signed into law by Wolf makes applying for unemployment compensation easier for workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.