SB1077: Vote centers; pilot program.

SENATE BILL NO. 1077

Offered January 14, 2015
Prefiled January 13, 2015
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 24.2-307.1, relating to vote centers; pilot program.
Patron-- Vogel

Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 24.2-307.1 as follows:

§ 24.2-307.1. Requirements for county and city vote centers; pilot program.

A. For purposes of this section, "vote center" means any structure that contains a place provided for two or more designated precincts at which the qualified voters who are residents of the designated precincts may be directed to vote.

B. The State Board shall be authorized to establish pilot programs in one or more localities authorizing the use of vote centers in primary elections, in order to study the efficacy and cost savings of vote centers in primary elections. The State Board shall promulgate guidelines for vote center selection criteria and administrative procedures to be followed by any locality applying to participate in the vote center pilot program.

C. The governing body of a locality applying to participate in the pilot program shall, subject to the unanimous consent of the local electoral board, submit to the State Board a plan for the locality's participation in the pilot program. Any such plan shall include the number of vote centers to be established in the locality for use in a primary election and the location of each such vote center. The governing body of any locality whose plan for participation in the vote center pilot program has been unanimously approved by the State Board shall establish by ordinance as many vote centers as it deems necessary.

D. All provisions of this title governing polling places shall apply to vote centers unless otherwise provided in this section.

E. The State Board shall publish a report on the implementation and effectiveness of the pilot program by August 15 of any year in which one or more localities participate in the pilot program.

2. That the provisions of this act shall expire on December 31, 2019.