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Virginia Voting Legislation – 2015

Here are some of the bills recently filed in the Virginia General Assembly that affect voting (courtesy of Project Vote).  You can go to the Virginia Legislative Information System website and type in the bill number for more information.  Then contact your State Senator or Delegate and tell them to support or oppose the bill.

Good Bills that expand voting:

Voter ID Expansion bill HB 1495 was filed. This bill adds to the list of acceptable forms of voter ID a valid student photo ID card issued by any institution of higher education located in any other state or territory of the United States. Current law allows students from any institution of higher education located in the Commonwealth to use their student photo ID cards to vote.

List Maintenance bill HB 1496 was filed. This bill relates to Virginia’s interstate cross-check program. The bill prohibits election officials from canceling the registration of voters who are believed to no longer reside in the jurisdiction unless corroborating evidence is found. The processing must be completed by the general registrar within 90 days following the receipt of the list from the State Board, but not 60 days before a primary or general election.

Absentee Voting bill HB 1497 was filed. This bill would allow any qualified voter to vote absentee. Currently, voters must have an excuse to vote absentee.

Voter ID bill HB 1538 was filed. The bill requires that for the purpose of the ID presented by the voter, the voter’s name as found on the pollbook matches or is reasonably similar to the name listed on the form of identification presented and the name stated by the voter.

Voter ID Expansion bill HB 1653/SB 820 was filed. This bill would add to the list of accepted forms of ID for purposes of voting valid student photo IDs issued by any private school located in the Commonwealth. Students of public high schools are currently permitted to use their student photo identification cards for purposes of voting because current law allows the use of photo ID issued by the Commonwealth or one of its political subdivisions. Current law also allows students from both public and private institutions of higher education located in the Commonwealth to use their student photo IDs for purposes of voting.

Absentee Voting bill SB 910 was referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections. This bill would eliminate the requirement to indicate the last four digits of the Social Security number on an absentee ballot application.

Voter ID Expansion bill SB 922 was referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections. This bill would add to the list of accepted forms of ID for voting a valid ID card containing a voter’s photo and issued by any private entity that is licensed or certified, in whole or in part, by the State Department of Health, the Department of Social Services, the Department of Medical Assistance Services, or the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.

Voter Registration bill HJ 551 was filed. This bill would amend the Virginia constitution allow the legislature to provide for persons who are registered voters of a district but who present themselves to vote at an incorrect precinct in that district to vote at that precinct.

Absentee Voting bill SB 822 was filed. This bill would allow any voter who will be 65 or older on the day of the election to vote absentee.

Conduct of Elections bill SB 853 was filed. This bill would allow any qualified voter who is 75 years of age or older or a person with a disability to request to go to the front of the line and to vote at the next available voting booth or voting system. The bill requires the chief officer of election or other designated election official to grant any such request made between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Not so good Bills – that make it harder to vote:

Voter Registration/Proof of Citizenship bill HB 1574 was filed. This bill would require proof of U.S. citizenship to be required of applicants for voter registration. The form of proof of citizenship required would be specified by the State Board of Elections.