Voter identification requirements; may vote a provisional ballot if can't provide proof of ID. (HB498)
Introduced By
Del. Scott Lingamfelter (R-Woodbridge)
Progress
√ |
Introduced |
X |
Passed Committee |
☐ |
Passed House |
☐ |
Passed Senate |
☐ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
Elections; voter identification requirements; provisional ballots. Eliminates the provision that allows a voter to sign a sworn statement that he is the named registered voter he claims to be in lieu of showing identification. Requires a photo ID and provides that the voter may vote a provisional ballot if he cannot provide the required proof of identification. The bill also provides that, in order to determine whether a person who cast a provisional ballot is a qualified voter, an electoral board may rely on a faxed copy of a person's proof of identification. View Full Text »
Outcome
Bill Has Failed
View Bill's History
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.