HB562: Absentee voting; eliminates present list of reasons entitling voter to cast absentee ballot.
Patrons-- Amundson, Moran, Plum, Rust and Watts; Senators: Howell, Ticer and Whipple
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §§ 24.2-612, 24.2-700, 24.2-701, 24.2-703.2, and 24.2-706 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted and the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 24.2-701.1 as follows:
§ 24.2-612. List of offices and candidates filed with State Board and checked for accuracy; when ballots printed; number required.
Immediately after the expiration of the time provided by law for a candidate for any office to qualify to have his name printed on the official ballot and prior to printing the ballots for an election, each electoral board shall forward to the State Board a list of the county, city, or town offices to be filled at the election and the names of all candidates who have filed for each office. In addition, each electoral board shall forward the name of any candidate who failed to qualify with the reason for his disqualification. The State Board shall promptly advise the electoral board of the accuracy of the list. The failure of any electoral board to send the list to the State Board for verification shall not invalidate any election.
Each electoral board shall have printed the number of ballots it determines will be sufficient to conduct the election.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this title, the State
Board may print or otherwise provide (i) one statewide paper ballot style for
each paper ballot style in use for presidential and vice-presidential electors
for use only by persons eligible to vote for those offices only under §
24.2-402 or clause (iii) or (v) of subsection B of § 24.2-416.1, (ii) one
statewide paper ballot style for each paper ballot style in use for Governor,
Lieutenant Governor or Attorney General only for use as the early absentee
ballot specified in § 24.2-702 subsection D of §
24.2-701.1, and (iii) single paper ballot styles for each ballot
style in use for each congressional district for federal offices for use only
by overseas voters eligible to vote in federal elections only pursuant to
Article 7 (§ 24.2-440 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of this title. The State Board may
apportion or authorize the printer or vendor to apportion the costs for these
ballots among the localities based on the number of ballots ordered. Any
printer employed by the State Board shall execute the statement required by §
24.2-616. The State Board shall designate a representative to be present at the
printing of such ballots and deliver them to the appropriate electoral boards
pursuant to § 24.2-617. Upon receipt of such paper ballots, the electoral board
shall affix its seal. Thereafter, such ballots shall be handled and accounted
for, and the votes counted as the State Board shall specifically direct.
The electoral board shall make printed ballots available for absentee voting at least (i) 45 days prior to any November general election or special election held at the same time; (ii) 30 days prior to any other general, special, or primary election; or (iii) in the case of a special election, if time is insufficient to meet the applicable deadline established herein, then as soon after the deadline as possible.
Only the names of candidates for offices to be voted on in a particular election district shall be printed on the ballots for that election district.
The electoral boards shall send to the State Board a statement of the number of paper ballots ordered to be printed, proofs of each paper and voting equipment ballot for verification, and copies of each final ballot. If the State Board finds that, in its opinion, the number of ballots ordered to be printed by any local electoral board is not sufficient, it may direct the local board to order the printing of a reasonable number of additional ballots.
§ 24.2-700. Persons entitled to vote by absentee ballot.
The following Any registered
voters
voter may vote by absentee ballot in
accordance with the provisions of this chapter in any election in which they
are he is qualified to vote:.
1. Any person who, in the regular and orderly course
of his business, profession, or occupation or while on personal business or
vacation, will be absent from the county or city in which he is entitled to
vote;
2. Any person who is (i) a member of a uniformed
service of the United States, as defined in 42 U.S.C. § 1973ff-6 (7), on active
duty, or (ii) a member of the merchant marine of the United States, or (iii)
who temporarily resides outside of the United States, or (iv) the spouse or
dependent residing with any person listed in (i), (ii), or (iii), and who will
be absent on the day of the election from the county or city in which he is
entitled to vote;
3. Any student attending a school or institution of
learning, or his spouse, who will be absent on the day of election from the
county or city in which he is entitled to vote;
4. Any person who is unable to go in person to the
polls on the day of election because of a physical disability or physical
illness;
5. Any person who is confined while awaiting trial
or for having been convicted of a misdemeanor, provided that the trial or
release date is scheduled on or after the third day preceding the election. Any
person who is awaiting trial and is a resident of the county or city where he
is confined shall, on his request, be taken to the polls to vote on election
day if his trial date is postponed and he did not have an opportunity to vote
absentee;
6. Any person who is a member of an electoral
board, registrar, officer of election, or custodian of voting equipment;
7. Any duly registered person who is unable to go
in person to the polls on the day of the election because he is primarily and
personally responsible for the care of an ill or disabled family member who is
confined at home;
8. Any duly registered person who is unable to go
in person to the polls on the day of the election because of an obligation
occasioned by his religion; or
9. Any person who, in the regular and orderly
course of his business, profession, or occupation, will be at his place of work
and commuting to and from his home to his place of work for eleven or more
hours of the thirteen hours that the polls are open pursuant to § 24.2-603.
§ 24.2-701. Application for absentee ballot.
A. The State Board shall furnish each general registrar with a sufficient number of applications for official absentee ballots. The registrars shall furnish applications to persons requesting them.
The State Board shall implement a system that enables eligible persons to request and receive an absentee ballot application electronically through the Internet. Electronic absentee ballot applications shall be in a form approved by the State Board.
Except as provided in § 24.2-703 §§ 24.2-701.1 and 24.2-703.1, a separate
application shall be completed for each election in which the applicant offers
to vote. An application for an absentee ballot may be accepted the later of (i)
12 months before an election, or (ii) the day following any election held in
the twelfth month prior to the election in which the applicant is applying to
vote.
Any application received before the ballots are printed shall be held and processed as soon as the printed ballots for the election are available.
For the purposes of this chapter, the general registrar's office shall be open a minimum of eight hours between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on the first and second Saturday immediately preceding all general elections, except May general elections held in towns, and on the Saturday immediately preceding any primary election, May general election held in a town, or special election.
Unless physically disabled, all applications for absentee ballots shall be signed by the applicant who shall state, subject to felony penalties for making false statements pursuant to § 24.2-1016, that to the best of his knowledge and belief the facts contained in the application are true and correct and that he has not and will not vote in the election at any other place in Virginia or in any other state. If the applicant is unable to sign the application, a person assisting the applicant will note this fact on the applicant signature line and provide his signature, name, and address.
B. Applications for absentee ballots shall be completed in the following manner:
1. An application completed in person shall be made not less than three days prior to the election in which the applicant offers to vote and completed only in the office of the general registrar. The applicant shall sign the application in the presence of a registrar or a member of the electoral board. The applicant shall provide one of the forms of identification specified in subsection B of § 24.2-643, or if he is unable to present one of the forms of identification listed in that section, he shall sign a statement, subject to felony penalties for making false statements pursuant to § 24.2-1016, that he is the named registered voter who he claims to be. An applicant who requires assistance in voting by reason of physical disability or inability to read or write may request assistance pursuant to § 24.2-649 and be assisted in preparation of this statement in accordance with that section. The provisions of § 24.2-649 regarding persons who are unable to sign shall be followed when assisting an applicant in completing this statement.
For federal elections held after January 1, 2004, this paragraph shall apply in the case of any voter who is required by subparagraph (b) of 42 U.S.C.S. § 15483 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to show identification the first time that voter votes in a federal election in the state. After completing an application for an absentee ballot in person, such voter shall present: (i) a current and valid photo identification; or (ii) a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other document that shows the name and address of the voter. Such individual who desires to vote in person but who does not show one of the forms of identification specified in this paragraph shall be offered a provisional ballot under the provisions of § 24.2-653. Neither the identification requirements of subsection B of § 24.2-643, nor the identification requirements of subsection A of § 24.2-653, shall apply to such voter at that election. The State Board of Elections shall provide instructions to the electoral boards for the handling and counting of such provisional ballots pursuant to subsection B of § 24.2-653 and this section.
2. Any other application may be made by mail, electronic or
telephonic transmission to a facsimile device if one is available to the office
of the general registrar or the office of the State Board if a device is not
available locally, or other means. The application shall be on a form furnished
by the registrar or, if made under subdivision 2 of §
24.2-700 § 24.2-701.1, may be on a Federal
Post Card Application prescribed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1973ff (b) (2). The
Federal Post Card Application may be accepted the later of (i) 12 months before
an election, or (ii) the day following any election held in the twelfth month
prior to the election in which the applicant is applying to vote. The
application shall be made to the appropriate registrar not less than five days
prior to the election in which the applicant offers to vote.
C. Applications for absentee ballots shall contain the following information:
1. The applicant's printed name and
the reason the applicant will be absent or cannot vote at his polling place on
the day of the election;
2. A statement that he is registered in the county or city in
which he offers to vote and his residence address in such county or city. Any
person temporarily residing outside the United States shall provide the last
date of residency at his Virginia residence address, if that residence is no
longer available to him. Any person who makes application under
subdivision 2 of § 24.2-700 who is not a registered voter may file the
applications to register and for a ballot simultaneously; and
3. The complete address to which the ballot is to be sent
directly to the applicant, unless the application is made in person at a time
when the printed ballots for the election are available and the applicant
chooses to vote in person at the time of completing his application. The
address given shall be either the address of the applicant on file in the
registration records or the address at which he will be located while absent
from his county or city. No ballot shall be sent to, or in care of, any other
person; and.
4. In the case of a person, or the spouse or
dependent of a person, who is on active service as a member of the armed forces
of the United States or a member of the merchant marine of the United States,
the branch of service to which he or the spouse belongs, and his or the
spouse's rank, grade, or rate, and service identification number; or
5. In the case of a student, or the spouse of a
student, who is attending a school or institution of learning, the name and
address of the school or institution of learning; or
6. In the case of a person who is unable to go in
person to the polls on the day of the election because of a physical disability
or physical illness, the nature of the illness or disability; or
7. In the case of a person who is confined awaiting
trial or for having been convicted of a misdemeanor, the name and address of
the institution of confinement; or
8. In the case of a person who will be absent on
election day for business reasons, the name of his employer or business; or
9. In the case of a person who will be absent on
election day for personal business or vacation reasons, the name of the county
or city in Virginia or the state or country to which he is traveling; or
10. In the case of a person who is unable to go to
the polls on the day of election because he is primarily and personally
responsible for the care of an ill or disabled family member who is confined at
home, the name of the family member and the nature of his illness or
disability; or
11. In the case of a person who is unable to go to
the polls on the day of election because of an obligation occasioned by his
religion, his religion and the nature of the obligation; or
12. In the case of a person who, in the regular and
orderly course of his business, profession, or occupation, will be at his place
of work and commuting to and from his home to his place of work for 11 or more
hours of the 13 hours that the polls are open pursuant to § 24.2-603, the name
of his business or employer, address of his place of work, and hours he will be
at the workplace and commuting on election day.
§ 24.2-701.1. Special absentee voting provisions.
A. The provisions of this section shall apply to a qualified absentee voter who will be absent on the day of the election from the county or city in which he is entitled to vote and who is (i) a member of a uniformed service of the United States, as defined in 42 U.S.C. § 1973ff-6 (7), on active duty; (ii) a member of the merchant marine of the United States; (iii) temporarily residing outside of the United States; or (iv) the spouse or dependent residing with any person listed in clause (i), (ii), or (iii). A qualified absentee voter may file an application for an absentee ballot on a Federal Post Card Application prescribed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1973ff (b) (2).
B. 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, any person who is subject to the provisions of subsection A may use a federal write-in absentee ballot in general, special, and primary elections for federal office. Such ballot shall be submitted and processed in the manner provided by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. § 1973ff et seq.) and this chapter.
2. Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a federal write-in absentee ballot submitted pursuant to subdivision B 1 shall be considered valid for purposes of simultaneously satisfying both an absentee ballot application and a completed absentee ballot for federal offices only, provided that the ballot is received not less than five days prior to the election in which the voter offers to vote, and the application on the envelope contains the following information: (i) the voter's signature; however, if the voter is unable to sign, the person assisting the voter will note this fact in the voter signature box; (ii) the voter's printed name; (iii) the county or city in which he is registered and offers to vote; (iv) the residence address at which he is registered to vote; and (v) his current military or overseas address. The envelope must be witnessed, and the witness shall provide his signature, printed name and address in the witness signature box.
C. Any person who is subject to the provisions of subsection A or who is eligible for temporary registration under Articles 7 (§ 24.2-440 et seq.) or 7.1 (§ 24.2-443.1 et seq.) of Chapter 4, may file a single application to receive ballots for all elections in which he is eligible to vote absentee. The application shall be on a Federal Post Card Application. The application from any person who is covered by subsection A shall be valid for any election conducted five or more days after receipt of the application by the general registrar through the next two regularly scheduled general elections for federal office following its receipt. The application from any person applying for temporary registration under Articles 7 or 7.1 of Chapter 4 shall be accepted at any time until the registration records are closed pursuant to § 24.2-416 and shall be valid through the next two regularly scheduled general elections for federal office following the receipt of the application by the general registrar. The general registrar shall retain the application and process the applicant's request for an absentee ballot for each election in accordance with procedures established by the State Board. The applicant shall specify by party designation the primary ballots he is requesting. If an official reply to the application or an absentee ballot sent to the applicant is returned as undeliverable, no ballots for subsequent elections shall be sent. No ballot shall be sent to the applicant, and no voted ballot received from the applicant shall be valid (i) for any election held after the voter has notified the registrar that the voter no longer wishes to be registered or (ii) after the registrar has received notification that the voter has registered to vote in another state.
D. Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a person who is subject to the provisions of subsection A and qualified under this subsection may apply, not later than 90 days before that election, for an early absentee ballot only for elections for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or Attorney General. In order to qualify for the early absentee ballot, the voter shall state that he is unable to vote in any other manner due to overseas military service or due to living in an isolated or extremely remote overseas area. This statement and application may be made on the Federal Post Card Application. On receipt of the application, the electoral board shall issue, at least 90 days before an election, the printed ballot only for elections for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or Attorney General. No additional ballot or ballots shall be provided to such applicants for that election date.
E. Any person who is subject to the provisions of subsection A except that he has not registered may file the applications to register and for an absentee ballot simultaneously.
F. Any person who is eligible for an absentee ballot and has a physical disability or physical illness and who is likely to remain so disabled or ill for the remainder of the calendar year shall be eligible to file a special annual application to receive ballots for all elections in which he is eligible to vote in a calendar year. His first such application shall be accompanied by a statement, on a form prescribed by the State Board and signed by the voter and his physician or accredited religious practitioner, that the voter is unable to go to the polls because of a physical disability or physical illness and is likely to remain so disabled or ill for the remainder of the calendar year.
In accordance with procedures established by the State Board, the general registrar shall retain the application and form, enroll the applicant on a special absentee voter applicant list, and process the applicant's request for an absentee ballot for each succeeding election in the calendar year. The applicant shall specify by party designation the primary ballots he is requesting.
The general registrar shall send each such enrolled applicant a blank application by December 15 for each ensuing calendar year, and upon completion thereof, the applicant shall be eligible to receive ballots for all elections in which he is eligible to vote in that calendar year.
If an official reply to the application or an absentee ballot sent to the applicant is returned as undeliverable, or the general registrar knows that the applicant is no longer a qualified voter, no ballot for any subsequent election shall be sent to the voter until a new application is filed and accepted.
§ 24.2-703.2. Replacement absentee ballots for certain disabled or ill voters; penalty.
A voter seeking to cast an absentee ballot may obtain a
replacement absentee ballot subject to the following conditions: (i) the voter
applied for an absentee ballot under subdivision 4 of § 24.2-700 because
of a physical disability or physical illness; (ii) the application was approved
and an absentee ballot mailed to the voter; and (iii) the voter did not receive
or has lost the absentee ballot on or before the Saturday before the election.
In such case, the voter may request a replacement absentee ballot by the close
of business for the local elections office on the Saturday before election day,
state that he is unable to go to the polls because of a physical disability or
physical illness, and designate, in writing, a representative to
obtain a replacement absentee ballot on his behalf from the electoral board or
general registrar and to return the properly completed ballot as directed by
the electoral board or general registrar no later than the close of polls on
the day of election for which the absentee ballot is valid. The representative
shall be age eighteen or older and shall not be an elected official, a
candidate for elected office, or the deputy, spouse, parent, or child of an
elected official or candidate. The voter and representative shall complete the
form prescribed by the State Board to implement the provisions of this section.
The form shall include a statement signed by the voter that he did not receive
the ballot or has lost the ballot. Statements on the form shall be subject to
felony penalties for making false statements pursuant to § 24.2-1016.
§ 24.2-706. Duty of general registrar and electoral board on receipt of application; statement of voter.
On receipt of an application for an absentee ballot, the general registrar shall enroll the name and address of each registered applicant on an absentee voter applicant list that shall be maintained in the office of the general registrar with a file of the applications of the listed applicants. The list and the applications shall be available for inspection and copying by any registered voter during regular office hours.
No list or application containing an individual's social security number shall be made available for inspection or copying by anyone. The State Board of Elections shall prescribe procedures for local electoral boards and general registrars to make the information in the lists and applications available in a manner that does not reveal social security numbers.
The completion and timely delivery of an application for an absentee ballot shall be construed to be an offer by the applicant to vote in the election.
The general registrar shall note on each application received whether the applicant is or is not a registered voter and notify the secretary of the electoral board. In reviewing the application for an absentee ballot, the general registrar and electoral board shall not reject the application of any individual because of an error or omission on any record or paper relating to the application, if such error or omission is not material in determining whether such individual is qualified to vote absentee.
If the application has been properly completed and signed and the applicant is a registered voter of the precinct in which he offers to vote, the electoral board shall immediately send to the applicant by mail, obtaining a certificate of mailing, or deliver to him in person in the office of the secretary or registrar, the following items and nothing else:
1. An envelope containing the folded ballot, sealed and marked "Ballot within. Do not open except in presence of a witness."
2. An envelope, with printing only on the flap side, for resealing the marked ballot, on which envelope is printed the following:
"Statement of Voter."
"I do hereby state, subject to felony penalties for making false statements
pursuant to § 24.2-1016, that my FULL NAME is .............. (last, first,
middle); that I am now or have been at some time since last November's general
election a legal resident of ............... (STATE YOUR LEGAL RESIDENCE IN
VIRGINIA including the house number, street name or rural route address, city,
zip code); that I received the enclosed ballot(s) upon application to the
registrar of such county or city; that I opened the envelope marked 'ballot
within' and marked the ballot(s) in the presence of the witness, without
assistance or knowledge on the part of anyone as to the manner in which I
marked it (or I am returning the form required to report how I was assisted);
that I then sealed the ballot(s) in this envelope; and that I have not voted
and will not vote in this election at any other time or place.
Signature of Voter ....................
Date ....................
Signature of witness ................... "
For elections held after January 1, 2004, instead of the envelope containing the above oath, an envelope containing the standard oath prescribed by the presidential designee under section 101 (b) (7) of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. § 1973ff et seq.) shall be sent to voters who are qualified to vote absentee under that Act.
3. A properly addressed envelope for the return of the ballot to the electoral board by mail or by the applicant in person.
4. Printed instructions for completing the ballot and statement on the envelope and returning the ballot.
For federal elections held after January 1, 2004, for any voter who is required by subparagraph (b) of 42 U.S.C.S. § 15483 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to show identification the first time the voter votes in a federal election in the state, the printed instructions shall direct the voter to submit with his ballot: (i) a copy of a current and valid photo identification; or (ii) a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other document that shows the name and address of the voter. Such individual who desires to vote by mail but who does not submit one of the forms of identification specified in this paragraph may cast such ballot by mail and the ballot shall be counted as a provisional ballot under the provisions of § 24.2-653. The State Board of Elections shall provide instructions to the electoral boards for the handling and counting of such provisional ballots pursuant to subsection B of § 24.2-653 and this section.
5. For any voter entitled to vote absentee under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. § 1973ff et seq.), information provided by the State Board specific to the voting rights and responsibilities for such citizens, or information provided by the registrar specific to the status of the voter registration and absentee ballot application of such voter, may be included.
The envelopes and instructions shall be in the form prescribed by the State Board.
If the applicant makes his application to vote in person under § 24.2-701 at a time when the printed ballots for the election are available, the general registrar or the secretary of the electoral board, on the determination of the qualifications of the applicant to vote, shall provide to the applicant the items set forth in subdivisions 1 through 4, and no item shall be removed by the applicant from the office of the general registrar or the secretary of the electoral board. On the request of the applicant, made at least five days prior to the election in which the applicant offers to vote, the general registrar or the secretary may send the items set forth in subdivisions 1 through 4 to the applicant by mail, obtaining a certificate of mailing.
If the applicant states as the reason
for his absence on election day any of the reasons set forth in subdivision 2
of § 24.2-700 is subject to the provisions of subsection A of § 24.2-701.1, the electoral board shall mail or deliver in person to
the applicant in the office of the secretary or general registrar, the items as
set forth in subdivisions 1 through 4 and, if necessary, an application for
registration. A certificate of mailing shall not be required.
When the statement prescribed in subdivision 2 has been properly completed and signed by the registered voter and witnessed, his ballot shall not be subject to challenge pursuant to § 24.2-651.
2. That §§ 24.2-702, 24.2-702.1, 24.2-703, and 24.2-703.1 of the Code of Virginia are repealed.