Early voting; any registered voter allowed to vote early in any election in which he is qualified. (HB74)

Introduced By

Del. Rip Sullivan (D-Arlington) with support from co-patron Del. Chris Hurst (D-Blacksburg)

Progress

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

Description

Elections; early voting. Allows any registered voter to vote early in any election in which he is qualified to vote without providing a reason or making prior application for an absentee ballot. The bill requires that early voting be available beginning the twenty-first day prior to any general election, the seventh day prior to any special election held on a date other than the date of a general election, and the seventh day prior to any primary election and ending at 5:00 p.m. on the Saturday immediately preceding the election. The bill further requires early voting to be available during regular business hours each weekday during the applicable period, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on each Saturday during the applicable period, and from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on each Sunday during the applicable period. The bill removes the current provisions for voting absentee in person but retains those provisions for voting an absentee ballot by mail, including the application requirement and the list of statutory reasons that allow a registered voter to vote absentee by mail. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
12/05/2017Committee
12/05/2017Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/18 18101187D
12/05/2017Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
01/22/2018Assigned P & E sub: Subcommittee #1
01/29/2018Impact statement from DHCD/CLG (HB74)
01/29/2018Impact statement from DPB (HB74)
01/30/2018Subcommittee recommends passing by indefinitely (4-Y 2-N)
02/13/2018Left in Privileges and Elections

Comments

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

The ACLU of Virginia cannot support legislation that seeks to add new classes of privileged voters to our excused-based absentee voting system or that continues to make it easier for some voters but not others to vote on a day other than election day. The ACLU of Virginia supports legislation that will allow every voter to choose to vote absentee in person or by mail without having to offer an excuse. This bill preserves the excuse based system for mailed absentee ballots but eliminates it for those who can present themselves in person at the registrar's office. This makes it easier for those with cars, who live in urban areas with rapid transit, and those who live close to government offices to vote during the day on weekdays or on weekends but retains the system that requires an excuse and creates privacy issues for those who must or want to vote by mail.

Amy Hjerstedt writes:

Yes! Saturday voting, Sunday voting, and no-excuse-needed early voting! This is a great bill!

JoAnne Norton writes:

This is a much needed bill. Virginia lags behind other states in allowing early voting. We need to increase the number of people who vote.

Laurie writes:

I oppose this proposed legislation as it preserves the excuse based system for mailed absentee ballots but eliminates it for those who can present themselves in person at the registrar's office. This makes it easier for those with cars, who live in urban areas with rapid transit, and those who live close to government offices to vote during the day on weekdays or on weekends but retains the system that requires an Excuse and creates privacy issues for those who must or want to vote by mail.