Absentee voting; application by electronic mail or other electronic means. (SB743)
Introduced By
Sen. John Miller (D-Newport News)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✗ |
Passed Committee |
☐ |
Passed House |
☐ |
Passed Senate |
☐ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
Absentee voting; application by electronic mail or other electronic means. Provides that the State Board of Elections shall implement a system to accept absentee ballot applications electronically. Currently, an applicant may request and receive an absentee ballot application electronically but may not submit the completed application electronically. The bill further provides that any applicant for an absentee ballot may request that the ballot materials be sent to him by electronic transmission. Read the Bill »
Outcome
Bill Has Failed
History
Date | Action |
---|---|
12/12/2012 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/13 |
12/12/2012 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/13 13101458D |
12/12/2012 | Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections |
01/15/2013 | Impact statement from DPB (SB743) |
01/15/2013 | Failed to report (defeated) in Privileges and Elections (7-Y 8-N) (see vote tally) |
Comments
At first blush, this seems like a security problem waiting to happen, but I think that's wrong. There's nothing any more secure about sending an absentee ballot application via USPS than via e-mail. And worst case, somebody gets an absentee ballot when they weren't expecting one (if somebody else filled out an application in their name)—they're free to just throw it away and vote in person, so no harm.
This is a good idea.
The ACLU of Virginia supports legislation that makes voting easier and more efficient.