HB2447: Super precincts; pilot program.
HOUSE BILL NO. 2447
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 super precincts; pilot program.
A. For purposes of this section:
"Super precinct" means the territory established by a county or city and approved by the State Board pursuant to the pilot program, to be served by one vote center.
"Vote center" means the structure that contains the one place provided for each super precinct at which the qualified voters who are residents of the super precinct may vote in a June primary election.
B. The State Board shall authorize and supervise pilot programs in one or more counties or cities permitting the use of super precincts in June primary elections in order to study the efficacy and cost savings of super precincts in such elections.
C. Any county or city may apply for participation in the pilot program by submitting a proposal to the State Board. The proposal shall be on a form and include such information as prescribed by the Commissioner, including (i) the number of super precincts to be established in the county or city and the boundaries of each such super precinct and (ii) the number of vote centers to be established in each super precinct and the location of each such vote center. Prior to submission to the State Board, the proposal shall be approved by a majority of the local governing body and by unanimous consent of the local electoral board.
D. Any proposal eligible for approval by the State Board shall meet the following minimum criteria:
1. Each super precinct shall be composed entirely from whole precincts established pursuant to § 24.2-307.
2. Each super precinct shall serve no more than 15,000 registered voters.
3. Each super precinct shall cover an area of no more than 200 square miles.
4. No super precinct may have more than one vote center.
5. Registered voters may vote only at the vote center that serves the super precinct in which they reside.
E. The provisions of § 24.2-307 shall not apply to the vote centers or super precincts established for purposes of participation in the pilot program. The provisions of subsection A of § 24.2-310 shall not apply to the vote centers established for purposes of participation in the pilot program, but all provisions of this title governing polling places shall apply to such vote centers unless otherwise provided in this section.
F. No proposal under the pilot program shall be authorized without the unanimous approval of the State Board. The governing body of any county or city whose proposal for participation in the super precinct pilot program has been unanimously approved by the State Board shall establish such super precincts and vote centers by ordinance.
G. The State Board shall promulgate standards and guidelines for the proper operation of super precincts and vote centers.
H. 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 counties or cities participate in the pilot program.
2. That the provisions of this act shall expire on December 31, 2023.