# Pennsylvania primary election reform legislation > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/pennsylvania-primary-election-reform-legislation > Updated: 2026-09-30T11:18:14.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed House Bill 280, a measure designed to allow unaffiliated voters to participate in primary elections. Under this proposed semi-open system, registered voters without a political party affiliation could choose which party’s primary to vote in, though they would remain excluded from internal party elections such as committee seat selections. Proponents of the bill, including State Rep. Jared Solomon, stated the change is intended to include approximately 1.5 million unaffiliated voters in the democratic process. Advocates noted that the current closed primary system, which has been in place since 1937, disenfranchises groups including young adults and veterans. Pennsylvania is currently one of only ten states maintaining closed primaries. The legislation has moved to the Republican-controlled Senate for consideration. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-30: U.S. election updates: Pennsylvania primary bill and Arizona midterm preparations Pennsylvania House passed a bill to allow unaffiliated voters to participate in primaries, while Arizona prepares for 2026 midterm elections involving key state and federal offices. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-election-updates-pennsylvania-primary-bill-and-arizona-midterm-preparations ### 2026-09-30: Pennsylvania House passes bill to allow unaffiliated voters in primaries The Pennsylvania House passed a bill to transition the state to a semi-open primary system, allowing unaffiliated voters to participate in party primaries for the first time in decades. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pennsylvania-house-passes-bill-to-allow-unaffiliated-voters-in-primaries --- Cite as: Pennsylvania primary election reform legislation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/pennsylvania-primary-election-reform-legislation