Election Bills Update – 01/21

ELECTIONS

The following bills will be voted on in the Senate Privileges and Election Committee TODAY, 1/21, 15 minutes after the adjournment of the Senate floor in Senate Room B.

OPPOSE

OPPOSE: SB1009 – Ranked Choice Voting Expansion for Localities

Expands ranked choice voting options for all local offices, despite this method of voting being riddled with problems that disenfranchise voters. Currently, any Virginia locality is allowed to use Ranked Choice Voting for City Council and Board of Supervisor elections, but not any other election; we oppose expansion in any form. This bill also requires localities to receive state approval on feasibility before implementation. 

OPPOSE: SB760 – Absentee Ballot Receipt Deadline

Changes deadline from noon to 5:00 PM on the third day after Election Day for receiving absentee ballots and for a voter to provide missing information needed to accompany a provisional ballot (like an ID). This change would unnecessarily delay election results, decreasing voter confidence.

OPPOSE: SB813 – Voter List Maintenance Timing

Requires certain list maintenance programs that remove ineligible voters to be completed 90 days before any primary or general election, extending the current requirement that certain list maintenance programs (like address updates at large scale) cannot be completed within 90 days before a general election. Because Virginia has frequent elections, this bill proposes changes that would impede voter list accuracy. 

SUPPORT

SUPPORT: SB856 – Reduces Early Voting to 14 Days

This bill proposes reducing the early absentee voting period in Virginia from 45 days to 14 days before an election. The change ensures that absentee voting remains available but within a more focused timeframe. It also reduces the administrative burden on local election offices, fostering efficient use of resources without compromising access.

SUPPORT: SB764 – Photo ID Requirement for Voting

Requires voters to present photo identification to vote, eliminating the option to use non-photo documents like utility bills or bank statements. Maintains existing security protocols while ensuring all voters have access to required identification.

SUPPORT: SB1073 – Social Security Number Verification Process

Requires registrars to verify voter registration information against Social Security Administration records before registering voters. Those with mismatched information get provisional registration status until they provide photo ID or correct information. Takes effect July 1, 2027.

SUPPORT: SB1072 – Early Voting Period Reduction

Reduces early voting period from 45 to 14 days before any election while maintaining existing hours through the Saturday before Election Day. Preserves current ID requirements and security measures for in-person absentee voting.

SUPPORT: SB1070 – Voter Identification Containing a Photograph Required 

This bill requires Virginia voters to show photo ID to vote, eliminating the use of non-photo IDs like utility bills or signed identity statements. Valid forms include government-issued photo IDs, student photo IDs from Virginia schools, or employee IDs. The Department of Elections will provide free voter photo ID cards to those who need them, ensuring election integrity while maintaining ballot access.

SUPPORT: SB1044 – Election Results Reporting for Absentee and Provisional Ballots

This bill enhances election transparency by requiring new detailed reporting of absentee and provisional ballot results. General registrars must separately report early in-person voting results from other absentee ballots and Election Day voting. Results must be posted no later than 5:00 p.m. on the tenth day after election day, ensuring timely and transparent reporting of all ballot types.

Please contact these Senators and ask them to VOTE NO on SB1009, SB760, and SB813 and VOTE YES on SB856, SB764, SB1073, SB1072, SB1070 and SB1044

Senate: Privileges and Elections CommitteeDistrictPhoneEmail
Chair: Senator Aaron R. Rouse (D)22(804) 698-7522[email protected]
Senator Jennifer Carroll Foy (D)33(804) 698-7533[email protected]
Senator R. Creigh Deeds (D)11(804) 698-7511[email protected]
Senator J.D. “Danny” Diggs (R)24(804) 698-7524[email protected]
Senator Bill DeSteph (R)20(804) 698-7520[email protected]
Senator Tara A. Durant (R)27(804) 698-7527[email protected]
Senator Adam P. Ebbin (D)39(804) 698-7539[email protected]
Senator T. Travis Hackworth (R)5(804) 698-7505[email protected]
Senator John J. McGuire, III (R)10(804) 698-7510[email protected]
Senator Russet Perry (D)31(804) 698-7531[email protected]
Senator Saddam Azlan Salim (D)37(804) 698-7537[email protected]
Senator Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr. (R)12(804) 698-7512[email protected]
Senator Tammy Brankley Mulchi (R)9(804) 698-7509[email protected]
Senator Schuyler T. VanValkenburg (D)16(804) 698-7516[email protected]

Bill Update From 1/20

Status: This bill was stricken from the docket of the House Election Administration Subcommittee and did not receive a vote.

OPPOSE: HB2337 – Voter Registration Deadline Reduction

Changes voter registration deadlines from 21 to 10 days before all elections, including primary, general, and special elections. Currently, an individual who registers to vote within the three weeks prior to an election is provided with a provisional ballot. This bill proposes to limit that to only ten days prior to an election instead of three weeks. 

Status: This bill passed the House Election Administration Subcommittee and will now be sent to the full House Privileges and Elections Committee which meets on Friday morning.

SUPPORT: HB1952 – Voter List Price Transparency

Requires the Department of Elections to publicly post costs for purchasing voter registration lists and voting history lists on its website. Maintains existing privacy protections and authorized uses while increasing transparency about fees charged to campaigns, parties, and other authorized recipients.

Status: This bill was killed in the House Election Administration Subcommittee.

SUPPORT: HB2395 – Voter Registration List Exchange

Requires the Department of Elections to post to its official Internet website a list of states with which it has an agreement to exchange data for voter registration list maintenance purposes.

Status: This bill was stricken from the docket of the House Election Administration Subcommittee and did not receive a vote.

SUPPORT: HB1566 – Mailed Absentee Ballot Watermark

This bill requires mailed absentee ballots to be printed on security paper with a visible watermark. The legislation aims to improve the security of absentee ballots, providing an additional layer of protection against potential fraud while preserving ballot access.

Status: This bill was killed in the House Election Administration Subcommittee through the motion to lay the bill on the table.

SUPPORT: HB2357 – Jury Duty Data for Registered Voter List Maintenance

This bill enhances voter roll accuracy by creating additional mechanisms for identifying and removing ineligible voters from registration lists. The legislation requires jury commissioners to collect information about individuals who are ineligible to vote and transmit this data to general registrars, providing a more comprehensive approach to maintaining up-to-date and accurate voter registration records. (Identical to HB2388)

Status: This bill was stricken from the docket of the House Election Administration Subcommittee and did not receive a vote.

SUPPORT: HB2388 – Jury Duty Data for Registered Voter List Maintenance

This bill enhances voter roll accuracy by creating additional mechanisms for identifying and removing ineligible voters from registration lists. The legislation requires jury commissioners to collect information about individuals who are ineligible to vote and transmit this data to general registrars, providing a more comprehensive approach to maintaining up-to-date and accurate voter registration records. (Identical to HB2357)

Status: This bill was killed in the House Election Administration Subcommittee through the motion to lay the bill on the table.

SUPPORT: HB2390 – Reducing Early Voting and Eliminating the Affirmation Statement

This bill proposes reducing the early absentee voting period in Virginia from 45 days to 10 days before an election. The legislation also removes the option to cast a vote without showing one of the approved forms of voter identification and instead signing a statement affirming your identity.

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