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2018 SESSION

18102098D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 113
Offered January 10, 2018
Prefiled January 10, 2018
Directing the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study the streamlining of special elections in the Commonwealth. Report.
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Patrons-- Sickles, Boysko, Convirs-Fowler, Gooditis, Krizek, Levine, Lindsey, Plum, Rodman, Simon, Turpin and Tyler
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, a need exists to streamline the system of special elections in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the cost of conducting special elections is largely borne by the counties and cities; and

WHEREAS, the unpredictable nature and frequency of special elections strains the Commonwealth's elections systems due to the demands placed on the local electoral boards, general registrars, officers of election, and election administrators; and

WHEREAS, a uniform schedule for special elections has the potential to reduce both the fiscal impact on the counties and cities and the administrative burdens placed on local electoral boards, general registrars, officers of election, and election administrators; and

WHEREAS, the laws governing the timing and scheduling of special elections are complex and vary with the elected office and any attempt to streamline these laws and to establish a system for special elections requires a comprehensive study and careful evaluation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission be directed to study the streamlining of special elections in the Commonwealth.

In conducting its study, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission shall (i) review the current laws governing special elections, (ii) evaluate the costs borne in recent years by the localities to conduct special elections as compared to voter turnout at such elections, and (iii) consider options for a cohesive set of laws to govern special elections and for scheduling special elections, including the merits of establishing a uniform schedule. The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission shall invite general registrars, members of local electoral boards, and other election administrators to participate in the study.

Technical assistance shall be provided to the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission by the Department of Elections. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission for this study, upon request.

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2018, and the chairman shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the 2019 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall state whether the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.