HARRISBURG, PA — State Rep. Tarik Khan on Wednesday announced legislation aimed at tightening protections around Pennsylvania’s voter data and election systems, citing growing concerns about political interference and pressure on election officials.
The proposal, titled Protecting Voter Privacy and Pennsylvania Elections from Political Interference, would limit unauthorized access to voter information and reinforce state control over election infrastructure, according to Khan.
“This bill is about protecting voter privacy and ensuring our elections are decided by voters — not political influence,” Khan said in a statement announcing the legislation.
Khan pointed to the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, when former President Donald Trump and allies promoted claims of widespread fraud despite court rulings, audits, recounts, and investigations finding no evidence to support them. Lawmakers backing the measure argue those claims eroded public trust and intensified political pressure on local election officials.
Recent disputes in Georgia over access to state-controlled voter data have further elevated concerns nationally, proponents say, highlighting how election materials can become targets for partisan use. Khan said treating voter data as a political tool threatens privacy, intimidates election workers, and interferes with the administration of elections.
“Using voter data as a political weapon puts people’s privacy at risk and makes it harder for election workers to do their jobs without pressure or fear,” Khan said.
Drawing on his professional background, Khan framed the bill as a public-service issue. As a nurse, he said, his career has centered on protecting everyday people, adding that voters across Pennsylvania deserve confidence their ballots will be counted fairly.
“From nurses and teachers to construction workers and retired grandparents, Pennsylvanians deserve to know their vote will count,” he said.
The legislation has drawn support from Democratic lawmakers in multiple regions of the state. State Rep. Chris Pielli of Chester County said the proposal establishes firm boundaries around election systems.
“Pennsylvanians expect elections to be run fairly, transparently, and according to the law,” Pielli said. “This legislation draws a clear line: our election systems cannot be used as political tools.”
State Rep. Emily Kinkead of Allegheny County said the bill seeks to repair trust damaged by persistent false claims about election integrity.
“Our democracy only works when voters have confidence that elections are safe, free, and fair,” Kinkead said. She added that the measure is intended to prevent interference, protect election workers and voter data, and allow people to participate without fear or pressure.
Khan said the proposal is supported by a coalition of lawmakers from across Pennsylvania and is part of a broader effort to reinforce public confidence in the state’s election process as future contests approach.
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