Elections; voter integrity and identification provisions. (HB341)
Introduced By
Del. Bob Marshall (R-Manassas)
Progress
√ |
Introduced |
X |
Passed Committee |
☐ |
Passed House |
☐ |
Passed Senate |
☐ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
Elections; voter integrity and identification provisions. Requires the following steps to emphasize integrity in the voting process: (i) posting notice in at least two languages at the polls of legally required voting qualifications and penalties for violations; (ii) requiring proof of citizenship with registration applications; and (iii) revising the voter identification requirements for in-person and absentee voting procedures. While any person who is registered in Virginia on January 1, 2010, is deemed to have provided satisfactory proof of citizenship and is not required to submit proof of citizenship, that privilege shall not be construed to affirm or deny whether such person is lawfully registered to vote in the Commonwealth. The act will take effect January 1, 2011. Amends § 24.2-418, § 24.2-643, § 24.2-701, § 24.2-706, of the Code of Virginia. View Full Text »
Outcome
History
- 01/11/2010 Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/10 10100619D
- 01/11/2010 Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
- 01/14/2010 Assigned P & E sub: #2 Elections
- 01/19/2010 Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (4-Y 0-N)
- 01/25/2010 Impact statement from DPB (HB341)
- 02/02/2010 Subcommittee recommends laying on the table
- 02/16/2010 Left in Privileges and Elections
Comments
Despite the absence of any evidence of voter fraud in Virginia, this bill imposes an unfunded mandate on local registrars by requiring them to require specific proof of citizenship to register and vote and to maintain copies in records for two years. This will require additional staffing. Virginia residents born outside of hospitals may lack birth certificates needed to prove citizenships; residents will have to pay either to get a copy of a birth certificate or a passport to register to vote. In the absence of any proof of a real problem to solve, these requirements are nothing more than additional impediments to the right to vote.