Absentee voting; allows qualified voters to vote absentee in person without an excuse. (HB622)

Introduced By

Sen. Monty Mason (D-Williamsburg) with support from co-patron Del. Marcus Simon (D-Falls Church)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Elections; no-excuse in-person absentee voting. Allows qualified voters to vote absentee in person without providing an excuse for not being able to vote in person on election day. The bill retains the statutory list of specific reasons allowing a voter to cast an absentee ballot by mail. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
01/07/2014Committee
01/07/2014Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/08/14 14100406D
01/07/2014Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
01/10/2014Assigned P & E sub: Elections Subcommittee
01/16/2014Subcommittee recommends incorporating (HB75-Simon)
02/12/2014Left in Privileges and Elections

Comments

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

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. Additionally, requiring voters to disclose sensitive or confidential information on an absentee ballot by-mail application imposes significant concerns about the privacy rights of voters. No-excuse absentee voting should be available to all qualified voters through the mail and by in-person methods.