SENATE BILL NO. 715 Offered January 17, 2008 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 24.2-309.2, relating to prohibiting election precinct changes for specified period of time. ---------- Patron-- Howell ---------- Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 24.2-309.2 as follows:

§ 24.2-309.2. Election precincts; prohibiting precinct changes for specified period of time.

No county, city, or town shall create, divide, abolish, or consolidate any precincts, or otherwise change the boundaries of any precinct, effective during the period from February 1, 2009, to May 15, 2011, except as (i) provided by law upon a change in the boundaries of the county, city, or town, (ii) the result of a court order, (iii) the result of a change in the form of government, or (iv) the result of an increase or decrease in the number of local election districts other than at-large districts. Any ordinance required to comply with the requirements of § 24.2-307 shall be adopted on or before February 1, 2009.

If a change in the boundaries of a precinct is required pursuant to clause (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) above, the county, city, or town shall comply with the applicable requirements of law, including §§ 24.2-304.3 and 30-264, and send copies of the ordered or enacted changes to the State Board of Elections and the Division of Legislative Services.

This section shall not prohibit any county, city, or town from adopting an ordinance revising precinct boundaries or submitting that ordinance to the United States Department of Justice in accordance with § 5 of the United States Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended, after January 1, 2011. However, no revisions in precinct boundaries shall be implemented in the conduct of elections prior to May 15, 2011.