Absentee voting; persons eligible to vote by absentee ballot. (HB1353)
Introduced By
Sen. Joe Morrissey (D-Richmond) with support from co-patron Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Mount Vernon)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✗ |
Passed Committee |
☐ |
Passed House |
☐ |
Passed Senate |
☐ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
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.
Outcome
Bill Has Failed
History
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 11/29/2012 | Committee |
| 11/29/2012 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/13 13101406D |
| 11/29/2012 | Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections |
| 01/11/2013 | Assigned P & E sub: Elections Subcommittee |
| 01/15/2013 | Impact statement from DPB (HB1353) |
| 01/15/2013 | Subcommittee recommends incorporating (HB1922-Herring) |
| 02/05/2013 | Left in Privileges and Elections |
Comments
See comments for SB702. Overwhelming support!
The ACLU of Virginia supports legislation that expands the opportunity to vote by absentee ballot without having to provide a reason, however this bill only applies to in-person absentee ballot voters. There are too many Virginia voters who do not have access to in-person absentee voting sites because of lack of transportation or work schedules that conflict with in-person absentee voting hours. No-excuse absentee voting should be available to all qualified voters through the mail and by in-person methods.
The ACLU of Virginia supports legislation that expands the opportunity to vote by absentee ballot without having to provide a reason, however this bill only applies to in-person absentee ballot voters. There are too many Virginia voters who do not have access to in-person absentee voting sites because of lack of transportation or work schedules that conflict with in-person absentee voting hours. No-excuse absentee voting should be available to all qualified voters through the mail and by in-person methods.
The VHC supports this bill because it creates greater opportunity for low income families to cast a vote. Low income working families frequently face greater challenges in getting to the polls during regular voting hours.