GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6, of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto House Bill 1296, which prohibits holding a special election to fill a congressional vacancy from being held on the same day as the general election at which that office is regularly schedule to be filled.

As written, the bill appears to create a potential conflict with Virginia Code §24.2-228.1 that requires the court to issue a writ for a special election on a general election date for certain constitutional office vacancies.  While §24.2-228.1 requires a special election to be held on the same date as a general election, the new provisions of §24.2-682, as contemplated in Senate Bill 1066, would prohibit the court from ordering a special election on the same day as a general election.

I cannot, in good conscience, sign a bill that would create the aforementioned conflict with §24.2-228.1.

Accordingly, I veto this bill.

GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATION

1. Line 2, enrolled, Title, after 24.2-207,

insert

and

2. Line 2, enrolled, Title, after 24.2-209

strike

, and 24.2-682

3. Line 7, enrolled, after 24.2-207,

insert

and

4. Line 7, enrolled, after 24.2-209

strike

, and 24.2-682

5. Line 37, enrolled

strike

all of lines 37 through 47