Voter identification; signed statement in lieu of required form of identification, penalty. (HB19)

Introduced By

Del. Joe Lindsey (D-Norfolk) with support from co-patron Sen. Jennifer McClellan (D-Richmond)

Progress

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

Description

Voter identification; repeal of photo identification requirements; additional forms of identification accepted; signed statement in lieu of required form of identification; penalty. Removes the requirement that voters show a form of identification containing a photograph in order to be allowed to vote. The bill requires a voter to show either his voter registration confirmation documents; his valid Virginia driver's license, his valid United States passport, or any other identification issued by the Commonwealth, one of its political subdivisions, or the United States; any valid student identification card issued by any institution of higher education located in the Commonwealth or any private school located in the Commonwealth; any valid student identification card issued by any institution of higher education located in any other state or territory of the United States; any valid employee identification card containing a photograph of the voter and issued by an employer of the voter in the ordinary course of the employer's business; or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter. The bill also provides that the expiration date on a Virginia driver's license is not considered when determining the validity of a driver's license offered for voter identification purposes. A voter who does not show one of the required forms of identification when offering to vote is required to sign a statement that he is the named registered voter he claims to be in order to be permitted to cast a ballot. Such statement is signed subject to felony penalties for making false statements, punishable as a Class 5 felony. A voter who does not show one of the required forms of identification and does not complete or sign the statement shall be offered a provisional ballot according to the provisions of current law. The bill adds language regarding identification requirements for certain voters pursuant to the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002. This bill incorporates HB 190 and HB 878. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Passed

History

DateAction
11/19/2019Committee
11/19/2019Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/08/20 20100460D
11/19/2019Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
01/13/2020Assigned P & E sub: Elections
01/23/2020Impact statement from DPB (HB19)
02/04/2020Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (5-Y 1-N)
02/07/2020Reported from Privileges and Elections with substitute (14-Y 8-N) (see vote tally)
02/07/2020Committee substitute printed 20107618D-H1
02/07/2020Incorporates HB190 (Levine)
02/07/2020Incorporates HB878 (Sickles)
02/09/2020Read first time
02/10/2020Impact statement from VCSC (HB19H1)
02/10/2020Read second time
02/10/2020Committee substitute agreed to 20107618D-H1
02/10/2020Pending question ordered
02/10/2020Engrossed by House - committee substitute HB19H1
02/10/2020Impact statement from DPB (HB19H1)
02/11/2020Read third time and passed House (57-Y 43-N)
02/11/2020VOTE: Passage (57-Y 43-N) (see vote tally)
02/12/2020Constitutional reading dispensed
02/12/2020Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
02/18/2020Reported from Privileges and Elections with substitute (10-Y 3-N 1-A) (see vote tally)
02/18/2020Committee substitute printed 20108329D-S1
02/20/2020Impact statement from VCSC (HB19S1)
02/20/2020Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/21/2020Passed by for the day
02/24/2020Impact statement from DPB (HB19S1)
02/24/2020Read third time
02/24/2020Reading of substitute waived
02/24/2020Committee substitute agreed to 20108329D-S1
02/24/2020Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute HB19S1
02/24/2020Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 19-N) (see vote tally)
02/26/2020VOTE: Adoption (1-Y 94-N) (see vote tally)
02/26/2020Placed on Calendar
02/26/2020Senate substitute rejected by House 20108329D-S1 (1-Y 94-N)
02/26/2020VOTE: REJECTED (1-Y 94-N) (see vote tally)
02/28/2020Senate insisted on substitute (38-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/28/2020Senate requested conference committee
03/02/2020House acceded to request
03/02/2020Conferees appointed by House
03/02/2020Delegates: Lindsey, Simon, Robinson
03/03/2020Conferees appointed by Senate
03/03/2020Senators: Locke, Ebbin, Peake
03/05/2020C Amended by conference committee
03/05/2020Conference report agreed to by House (54-Y 45-N)
03/05/2020VOTE: Adoption (54-Y 45-N) (see vote tally)
03/07/2020Conference report agreed to by Senate (20-Y 19-N) (see vote tally)
03/18/2020Enrolled
03/18/2020Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB19ER)
03/18/2020Signed by President
03/19/2020Signed by Speaker
03/20/2020Impact statement from DPB (HB19ER)
03/20/2020Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 20, 2020
03/20/2020G Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2020
04/10/2020G Approved by Governor-Chapter 1064 (effective 7/1/20)
04/10/2020G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1064)

Comments

Ron Q writes:

Why should anyone be allowed to vote who doesn't have a valid photo id?
No reason.

Anthony Ricciotti writes:

Valid state ID is easy to procure. A voter should provide indisputable evidence of their identification and residence to ensure they are in fact the person voting. Valid government issued photo ID should be required.

Robert Tate writes:

All people voting should have to show proper identification with photo to prevent fraud at the polls, it's not like it is hard to obtain. Especially since everyone is crying about interference in elections these days.

Michele N Schumacher writes:

Opposed to this change. We are required to show our Id's when purchasing alcohol, certain prescription drugs, etc. To require a photo to vote is not onerous and same cab be easily acquired.

John Q Public writes:

Why on earth is it an onerous burden to provide a simple photo ID to vote? The only reason I can see for passing this bill is to enable voter fraud. I have to have an ID to drive, buy a gun, or even get liquor. Why would we lower the bar for something as important as voting?

Randy Bubb writes:

Everyone who votes should be required to present a valid photo id. Photo id's really aren't that difficult to get. And with the amount of "interference in elections", one would think it would be a good idea to require photo id. And in HB567, the only way the few people that would be able to use an indoor shooting range can get in, is to present a valid gov't issued photo id, along with photo and address verification. Why would you make it a requirement for a limited number of people, but not for the majority of people. Especially for something as important as voting? You all need to get on the same page as to what really requires elevated identification.

Waldo Jaquith writes:

And with the amount of "interference in elections", one would think it would be a good idea to require photo id.

There is no systemic interference in elections that voter ID addresses.

Mary Jones writes:

Accuracy method - use fingerprint method.

Chris DeRosa writes:

Voter fraud (for lack of ID) is extremely rare.
Government-issued photo IDs are, in fact, difficult for many to obtain for many reasons - money being one; transportation being another; distance to a DMV; taking time off from work... there are many barriers.
For two years, I have been a community volunteer who has worked with the homeless and the struggling to obtain their DMV IDs. Sometimes this involved ordering (and paying for) their birth certificates; ordering a replacement green card; going to the social security office to obtain a replacement SS card. Our 501c3 organization volunteers have obtained over 1000 IDs for Virginians in those two years. And there are many more waiting for us to help. It's not that easy.