Tracking Virginia’s General Assembly
since 2007.
SB8: Absentee voting; qualified voters may vote absentee without providing a reason.
Chief Patron
Sen.
Creigh Deeds (D-25)
Creigh Deeds
(D-25)
Served: 2001–
Progress
| Introduced | |
| Passed Committee | |
| Passed House | |
| Passed Senate | |
| Signed by Governor | |
| Became Law |
Status
11/28/2007: In Privileges and Elections Committee
Summary
Elections; absentee voting. Provides that qualified voters may vote absentee in person without providing an excuse or reason for not being able to vote in person on election day. The bill retains the present statutory list of specific reasons entitling a voter to cast an absentee ballot for those persons who vote absentee by mail.
View Full Text »Identical Bills
The following bills are identical to this one: SB69
Introduced: 2007-12-21
Status: Failed to Pass in Committee
Introduced: 2008-01-03
Status: Failed to Pass in Committee
Photosynthesis
This bill is being tracked by Johnny C., Deeds for Virginia, spotter, Deeds for Virginia, Jessica, Amber C., Vivian P., MC, Virginia Young Democrats, Amber A., WHSV-TV and VB Dems.
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Related Bills
Status: Passed the Senate
Status: Passed the Senate
Status: signed by governor
Status: Failed to Pass in Committee
Status: signed by governor

Comments
Excellent idea. It will encourage more people to vote, especially for those individuals who have long commutes. There are many reasons why people may not be able to vote on Election Day and as long as absentee voting is available in person or mail, then it should be offered to all, not a select few.
This is one of those warm fuzzy bills that will cost the localities much needed resources, for very little result.
Each locality would be responsible for the costs associated with additional equipment,staffing, administrating and holding a 45 day long election.
There are no financial supports in the bill.
Other states have shown that early voting DOES NOT increase overall turnout AND actually pulls voters AWAY from the polling place on election day. IOW the same people will vote, they just vote early.
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