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

DateAction
12/12/2012Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/13
12/12/2012Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/13 13101458D
12/12/2012Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
01/15/2013Impact statement from DPB (SB743)
01/15/2013Failed to report (defeated) in Privileges and Elections (7-Y 8-N) (see vote tally)

Comments

Waldo Jaquith writes:

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.

ACLU-VA Voting Rights, tracking this bill in Photosynthesis, notes:

The ACLU of Virginia supports legislation that makes voting easier and more efficient.