Elections; electronic pollbooks, photographs. (SB1072)
Introduced By
Sen. Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✗ |
Passed Committee |
☐ |
Passed House |
☐ |
Passed Senate |
☐ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
Elections; electronic pollbooks; photographs. Provides that electronic pollbooks shall contain a photograph of and identifying information for each voter either received from the Department of Motor Vehicles or taken by an officer of election when the voter presents himself to vote that shall be accessed by the officer of election when the voter presents himself to vote. If the voter does not appear to be the same person depicted in the photograph in the pollbook, any qualified voter may and the officer of election shall challenge the vote of such voter. A voter with religious objections to being photographed may refuse to have his photograph taken. Read the Bill »
Outcome
Bill Has Failed
History
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 01/09/2013 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/13 13103420D |
| 01/09/2013 | Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections |
| 01/11/2013 | Impact statement from VCSC (SB1072) |
| 01/29/2013 | Committee amendment |
| 01/29/2013 | Failed to report (defeated) in Privileges and Elections (7-Y 7-N) (see vote tally) |
| 01/30/2013 | Impact statement from DPB (SB1072) |
Comments
The ACLU of Virginia strongly opposes this legislation because there is no credible evidence that in-person voter impersonation is a problem in Virginia that would justify requiring that poll books contain photographs of every registered voter. Requiring voters to submit to a photograph to be contained in a in an electronic poll book is an invasion of privacy rights. Further, unlike the privilege of driving, where a license contains a photograph, voting is a fundamental right. Any legislation that seeks to restrict or suppress that right is subject to constitutional scrutiny.