GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6, of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto House Bill 1315, which requires the jury commissioner to retain information obtained from those persons not qualified to serve as jurors for specific reasons and make that information available to the general registrar for that locality.  The bill also requires the general registrars to use the requested information received to identify voters who are no longer qualified to vote and to initiate list maintenance procedures pursuant to current law.

My Administration is committed to protecting the voting and civil rights of all Virginians.  I believe additional study is needed regarding the use and dissemination of the data before it becomes a permanent part of our court and election processes.

Accordingly, I veto this bill.

GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATION

1. Line 97, enrolled, after That the

strike

provisions of this act shall become effective on July 1, 2016

insert

Department of Elections shall review the number of individuals who are identified as not qualified to serve as jurors on the basis of information reported on jury questionnaires and obtained by jury commissioners and shall report the number of such individuals to the Chairmen of the House and Senate Committees on Privileges and Elections by December 1, 2015

2. After line 97, enrolled

insert

3. That the provisions of the first enactment of this act shall not become effective unless reenacted by the 2016 Session of the General Assembly.