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ACROSS SESSIONS
- Subject Index: Since 1995
- Bills & Resolutions: Since 1994
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2022 SESSION
Chair: R. Creigh Deeds
Clerk: Hobie Lehman, Jasmine VanDyke
Staff: Brooks Braun
Date of Meeting: January 18, 2022
Time and Place: 15 mins after adjourn / SR 3/ Public register speak GA website
virginia-senate.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=3
Patron: Suetterlein
Elections; absentee voting; ballots to be sorted and results to be reported by precinct. Provides that absentee ballots processed at a central absentee precinct must be sorted by the precinct to which the voter who cast the absentee ballot is assigned and that the resulting vote totals from such ballots must be reported separately for each voter precinct.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-712 of the Code of Virginia, relating to elections; absentee voting; ballots to be sorted and counted by precinct.22100577D
Patron: Locke
Constitutional amendment (voter referendum); qualifications of voters and the right to vote; persons not entitled to vote. Provides for a referendum at the November 8, 2022, general election to approve or reject an amendment that would provide for the fundamental right to vote in the Commonwealth, revise the qualifications of voters so that a person convicted of a felony is not entitled to vote during his period of incarceration but is automatically invested with the right to vote upon release from incarceration, and update the existing prohibition on voting by persons found to be mentally incompetent to instead apply to persons who have been found to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting.
A BILL to provide for the submission to the voters of a proposed amendment to Section 1 of Article II of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to qualifications of voters and the right to vote; persons not entitled to vote.22100350D
Patron: Marsden
Potomac River Bridge Towing Compact. Adds the Arland D. Williams Jr. Memorial Bridge to the Potomac River bridges subject to the Potomac River Bridge Towing Compact to facilitate the prompt and orderly removal of disabled and abandoned vehicles from the bridges by giving the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia appropriate authority anywhere on the bridges. This amendment to the Compact shall not become effective until a substantially similar amendment is enacted by the State of Maryland and the District of Columbia.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-1239.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Potomac River Bridge Towing Compact.22100786D
Patron: Spruill
Elections; form of ballot; party identification of candidates on ballots; constitutional officers. Extends to elections for constitutional officers the requirement that ballots identify the nominating political party for party candidates and identify independent candidates as such. Currently, this requirement applies only to federal, statewide, and General Assembly elections.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-613 of the Code of Virginia, relating to elections; form of ballot; party identification of candidates on ballots; constitutional officers.22100384D
Patron: Petersen
Campaign finance; campaign contribution limits; civil penalty. Prohibits persons from making any single contribution, or any combination of contributions, that exceeds $20,000 to any one candidate for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, or the General Assembly in any one election cycle. No limits are placed on contributions made by the candidate or the candidate's family to the candidate's campaign or by political party committees. Civil penalties for violations of the limits may equal up to two times the excess contribution amounts.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 9.3 of Title 24.2 an article numbered 3.1, consisting of sections numbered 24.2-948.5 through 24.2-948.8, and by adding in Article 8 of Chapter 9.3 of Title 24.2 a section numbered 24.2-953.6, relating to campaign finance; campaign contribution limits; civil penalty.22100554D
Patron: Petersen
Campaign finance; prohibited contributions to candidates. Prohibits candidates, campaign committees, and political committees from soliciting or accepting contributions from any public utility, as defined in the bill, and prohibits any public utility or any political committee established by such public utility from making any such contribution.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 24.2-947.4:2, relating to campaign finance; prohibited contributions to candidates.22100555D
Patron: Suetterlein
Elections; filling vacancies in the General Assembly; certain vacancies to be filled within 30 days. Requires the writ of election to fill a vacancy in the membership of the General Assembly that occurs between December 10 and March 1 to order that the special election take place no more than 30 days from the date of such vacancy.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-216 of the Code of Virginia, relating to elections; filling vacancies in the General Assembly; certain vacancies to be filled within 30 days.22101698D
Patron: Suetterlein
Campaign finance; political action committees; certain large pre-election expenditures. Requires in-state political action committees to file a report for any single expenditure of $1,000 or more made between October 1 and the date of the November election. Such reports are to be made electronically and must be received by the State Board by 11:59 p.m. on the following day or, for an expenditure made on a Saturday, by 11:59 p.m. on the following Monday. However, the bill requires that any such expenditure made within the 24 hours prior to the election day be reported and a report thereof received on the day prior to the election.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 24.2-949.7:1, relating to campaign finance; political action committees; certain large pre-election expenditures.22101056D
Patron: Stanley
State and local elections officials; acceptance of certain gifts and funding prohibited. Prohibits state and local elections officials from soliciting, accepting, using, or disposing of any moneys, grants, property, or services given by a private individual or nongovernmental entity for the purpose of funding voter education and outreach programs, voter registration programs, or any other expense incurred in the conduct of elections. The bill specifically provides that the operation of a polling place or voter satellite office in a facility furnished by a private individual or nongovernmental entity is not a violation of this prohibition.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 6 of Chapter 1 of Title 24.2 a section numbered 24.2-124.1, relating to state and local elections officials; acceptance of certain gifts and funding prohibited.22102180D
Patron: Stanley
City of Martinsville; city reversion; sunset. Requires approval from the City of Martinsville voters before the city can revert to town status. The provisions of the bill shall terminate on July 1, 2026.
A BILL to provide for a special election relating to transition of a city to town status; sunset.22101334D
Patron: Morrissey
Campaign finance; candidate contribution limits; civil penalty. Prohibits any single contribution, or any combination of contributions, that exceeds $25,000 from any individual or committee to any one candidate for any election. The bill permits unlimited contributions by a candidate or a candidate's family to the candidate's campaign. The bill prohibits contributions from any person that is not an individual or a committee to any candidate. The bill imposes civil penalties for violations of the limits of up to two times the excess contribution amounts.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 9.3 of Title 24.2 an article numbered 3.1, consisting of sections numbered 24.2-948.5 through 24.2-948.8, and by adding in Article 8 of Chapter 9.3 of Title 24.2 a section numbered 24.2-953.6, relating to campaign finance; candidate contribution limits; civil penalty.22100331D
Patron: Chase
Voter identification; identification containing a photograph required. Requires presentation of a form of identification containing a photograph in order to vote. The bill repeals the provisions of law permitting a voter who does not have one of the required forms of identification to vote after signing a statement, subject to felony penalties for false statements, that he is the named registered voter he claims to be. Instead, the bill provides that such voter is entitled to cast a provisional ballot. The bill requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to provide voter photo identification cards containing the voter's photograph and signature free of charge to those voters who do not have another valid form of identification.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-411.3, 24.2-643, 24.2-653, 24.2-653.01, 24.2-701, and 24.2-701.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to voter identification; identification containing a photograph required.22101447D
Patron: Obenshain
Voter identification; identification containing a photograph required. Requires presentation of a form of identification containing a photograph in order to vote. The bill repeals the provisions of law permitting a voter who does not have one of the required forms of identification to vote after signing a statement, subject to felony penalties for false statements, that he is the named registered voter he claims to be. Instead, the bill provides that such voter is entitled to cast a provisional ballot.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-404, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 24.2-411.3, 24.2-643, 24.2-653, 24.2-653.01, 24.2-701, and 24.2-701.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to voter identification; identification containing a photograph required.22101899D
Patron: Favola
Potomac River Bridge Towing Compact. Adds the Arland D. Williams, Jr. Memorial Bridge to the Potomac River bridges subject to the Potomac River Bridge Towing Compact to facilitate the prompt and orderly removal of disabled and abandoned vehicles from the bridges by giving the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia appropriate authority anywhere on the bridges. The effective date of this amendment to the Compact is contingent upon enactment of substantially similar legislation by the State of Maryland and the District of Columbia. The bill contains technical amendments.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-1239.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Potomac River Bridge Towing Compact.22102230D
Patron: Chase
Elections, ballots; ballot fraud security measures. Requires any printer or vendor supplying ballots in an election for state or federal office to be ISO 27001 certified, ISO 17025 certified, or ISO 9001:2015 certified. The bill also requires any ballot used in an election for state or federal office to include a unique bar code or quick response code that is accessible only to the voter and that tracks the voter's ballot as it is processed and to include the use of at least two other ballot fraud security measures from a list of approved measures.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 24.2-613.1, relating to elections, ballots; ballot fraud security measures.22101678D
Patron: Peake
Voter registration; verification of social security numbers; provisional registration status. Requires the general registrars to verify that the name, date of birth, and social security number provided by an applicant on the voter registration application match the information on file in the Social Security Administration database or other database approved by the State Board of Elections (the State Board) before registering such applicant. If the information provided by the applicant does not match the information in such database, the applicant (i) is provisionally registered to vote and notified as to what steps are needed to be fully registered to vote and (ii) is permitted to vote by provisional ballot but such ballot shall not be counted until the voter presents certain information. The bill also requires the general registrars to verify annually no later than August 1 that the name, date of birth, and social security number in the registration record of each registered voter in the registrar's jurisdiction match the information on file with the Social Security Administration or other database approved by the State Board and, in accordance with current law, to initiate the cancellation of the registration of any voter whose registration record information does not match the database information. The State Board is authorized to approve the use of any government database to the extent required to enable each general registrar to carry out the provisions of this bill and to promulgate rules for the use of such database. The Department of Elections is required to provide to the general registrars access to the Social Security Administration database and any other database approved by the State Board. The Department of Elections is further required to enter into any agreement with any federal or state agency to facilitate such access. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2024.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-653 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 24.2-418.01 and 24.2-653.4, relating to voter registration; verification of social security numbers; provisional registration status.22102209D
Patron: Peake
Voter registration; registration permitted up to and including the day of the election. Repeals a provision that would permit any person who is qualified to register to vote to register to vote in person up to and including the day of the election, notwithstanding any deadline for the close of registration records. The repeal will limit the persons who are entitled to register to vote after the close of registration records to (i) any member of a uniformed service of the United States who is on active duty, (ii) any person residing temporarily outside of the United States, and (iii) the spouse or dependent residing with someone listed in (i) or (ii).
A BILL to repeal Chapter 1153 of the Acts of Assembly of 2020, relating to voter registration; registration permitted up to and including the day of the election.22102299D
Patron: Peake
Voter identification; identification containing a photograph required. Requires presentation of a form of identification containing a photograph in order to vote. The bill repeals the provisions of law permitting a voter who does not have one of the required forms of identification to vote after signing a statement, subject to felony penalties for false statements, that he is the named registered voter he claims to be. Instead, the bill provides that such voter is entitled to cast a provisional ballot.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-404, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 24.2-411.3, 24.2-643, 24.2-653, 24.2-653.01, 24.2-701, and 24.2-701.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to voter identification; identification containing a photograph required.22102309D
Patron: Petersen
Elections; lists of persons voting at elections; disclosure of individual voting history prohibited. Prohibits certain persons in receipt of a list of persons voting at elections from disclosing the voting history of any individual on such list to a third party.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-406 of the Code of Virginia, relating to elections; lists of persons voting at elections; disclosure of individual voting history prohibited.22102640D
Patron: Kiggans
Voter registration; list maintenance; lists of decedents transmitted by State Registrar of Vital Records. Requires the State Registrar of Vital Records to transmit to the Department of Elections a weekly list of decedents from the previous week. Currently, this list is transmitted monthly. The bill requires the general registrars to use this information to conduct list maintenance and to promptly cancel the registration of a person on the list.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-408 and 24.2-427 of the Code of Virginia, relating to voter registration; list maintenance; lists of decedents transmitted by State Registrar of Vital Records.22100127D
Patron: McPike
Campaign finance; mandatory electronic filing for all candidates. Requires all candidates to file their campaign finance reports electronically with the State Board of Elections.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-946.1, 24.2-946.2, 24.2-947.1, 24.2-947.4, 24.2-947.5, 24.2-947.9, 24.2-948.1, 24.2-948.2, and 24.2-948.3 of the Code of Virginia, relating to campaign finance; mandatory electronic filing for all candidates.22101005D
Patron: Suetterlein
Campaign finance; fundraising during special sessions prohibited. Prohibits campaign fundraising on and after the first day of a special session of the General Assembly through adjournment sine die of that session. Currently, campaign fundraising is prohibited only during regular sessions of the General Assembly.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-954 of the Code of Virginia, relating to campaign finance; fundraising during special sessions prohibited.22102667D
Patron: Chase
Absentee voting; permanent absentee voter list repealed. Repeals the provisions of law by which any registered voter may apply to receive absentee ballots for all elections in which he is eligible to vote and remains on the list until the voter requests in writing to be removed from the list, the voter's registration is canceled or placed on inactive status pursuant to law, or the voter moves to a different address not in the same county or city of his registration.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-701 of the Code of Virginia and to repeal § 24.2-703.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to absentee voting; permanent absentee voter list repealed.22101626D
Patron: Chase
Voter registration; registration permitted up to and including the day of the election. Repeals a provision that would permit any person who is qualified to register to vote to register to vote in person up to and including the day of the election, notwithstanding any deadline for the close of registration records. The repeal will limit the persons who are entitled to register to vote after the close of registration records to (i) any member of a uniformed service of the United States who is on active duty, (ii) any person residing temporarily outside of the United States, and (iii) the spouse or dependent residing with someone listed in (i) or (ii).
A BILL to repeal Chapter 1153 of the Acts of Assembly of 2020, relating to voter registration; registration permitted up to and including the day of the election.22101611D
Patron: Chase
Absentee voting; return of absentee ballots; drop-off locations. Repeals the provisions of law providing for the establishment of drop-off locations for the return of absentee ballots.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-706, 24.2-707, 24.2-709, and 24.2-709.1 of the Code of Virginia, and to repeal § 24.2-707.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to absentee voting; return of absentee ballots; drop-off locations.22101492D
Patron: Hashmi
Licensure of professional counselors; Counseling Compact. Authorizes Virginia to become a signatory to the Counseling Compact. The Compact permits eligible licensed professional counselors to practice in Compact member states, provided that they are licensed in at least one member state. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2023, and directs the Board of Counseling to adopt emergency regulations to implement the provisions of the bill. The Compact takes effect when it is enacted by a tenth member state.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 54.1-3500.1, relating to Counseling Compact.22100616D
Patron: Ebbin
Elections; absentee voting; verification by social security or driver's license number in lieu of witness signature. Makes optional the current absentee ballot witness signature requirement by giving the voter the option to provide either the last four digits of the voter's social security number or the voter's valid Virginia driver's license number in lieu of a witness signature.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-702.1, 24.2-704, 24.2-706, and 24.2-707 of the Code of Virginia, relating to elections; absentee voting; verification by social security or driver's license number in lieu of witness signature.22100443D
Patron: Hanger
Removal of county courthouse; Augusta County; authorization by electorate. Allows Augusta County to hold a referendum on the courthouse removal in 2022, despite the 10-year waiting requirement, if (i) two new plans are developed for either the construction and removal of the courthouse from the City of Staunton, if the referendum passes, or renovation and expansion of the courthouse in the City of Staunton, if the referendum fails; (ii) the plans are made available to the public at least three months prior to the planned date of the referendum; (iii) the plan for the courthouse remaining in Staunton, if it prevails, shall be a mutual agreement between the City of Staunton and Augusta County; and (iv) the result of the referendum shall be binding and the corresponding plan shall be implemented.
A BILL to allow for a referendum to be held in 2022, relating to the removal of the Augusta County courthouse from the City of Staunton to Augusta County.22102090D
Patron: Deeds
Elections; voting systems; reporting absentee results by precinct. Includes in the definition of "voting system" on-demand ballot printing systems and ballot marking devices used to manufacture or mark ballots to be cast by voters on electronic voting and counting machines. The bill also requires general registrars to report to the Department of Elections the number and results of absentee ballots cast by voters assigned to each precinct in the registrar's locality. The Department is directed by the bill to establish standards for ascertaining and reporting such information.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-101 and 24.2-667.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to elections; voting systems; reporting absentee results by precinct.22103836D
Patron: Favola
Campaign advertisements; independent expenditures; electioneering communications; disclaimer requirements. Broadens the scope of disclaimer requirements for campaign advertisements to include electioneering communications, as defined in the bill, and messages advocating for the passage or defeat of a referendum. The bill also requires an advertisement that is an independent expenditure or expressly advocates for the passage or defeat of a referendum, to contain a disclaimer providing the names of the sponsor's three largest contributors or individuals representing a contributor that is not an individual.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-945.1, 24.2-955, 24.2-955.1, 24.2-956, 24.2-956.1, 24.2-957.1, 24.2-957.2, 24.2-957.3, 24.2-958.1, 24.2-958.2, and 24.2-958.3 of the Code of Virginia, relating to campaign advertisements; independent expenditures; electioneering communications; disclaimer requirements.22104251D
Patron: Bell
Elections; conduct of election; election results; risk-limiting audits. Requires local electoral boards and general registrars to perform certain risk-limiting audits, defined in the bill, under the supervision of the Department of Elections and in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the State Board of Elections. The bill provides that localities are required to participate in such audits at least once every five years. The bill also provides that the Department shall submit a report on the results of such audits to the State Board. The provisions of the bill requiring that such audits be conducted (i) for at least one randomly selected contested race for the General Assembly in the year of a general election for members of the General Assembly and (i) for any other contested race that is necessary to ensure that each locality participates in a risk-limiting audit of an office within its jurisdiction at least once every five years or that the State Board finds appropriate has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2023. The provision of the bill requiring that such audits be conducted for at least one randomly selected contested race for an office that requires certification by the State Board in the year of general election for any local office has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2024.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-669, 24.2-671, and 24.2-679 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 24.2-671.2; and to repeal § 24.2-671.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to elections; conduct of election; election results; risk-limiting audits.22104252D
Patron: Vogel
State Board of Elections; membership; appointment of Commissioner of Elections. Expands the membership of the State Board of Elections from five members to eight members with equal representation given to both parties. The bill also gives the State Board of Elections the authority and duty to appoint the Commissioner of Elections of the Department of Elections. The appointment and removal of the Commissioner require an affirmative vote of six of the eight Board members. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2023.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-106 and 24.2-102 of the Code of Virginia, relating to State Board of Elections; membership; appointment of Commissioner of Elections.22104057D
Patron: Obenshain
Elections; conduct of elections; annual post-election audits. Requires that each local electoral board and general registrar conduct a post-election audit annually of at least one fifth of all ballot scanner machines in use in the locality such that all ballot scanner machines in use in the locality are audited at least once every five years. The bill requires the local electoral board and general registrar to submit a report on the results of each audit to the State Board of Elections. The bill removes the requirement that annual audits be risk-limiting audits.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-669 and 24.2-671.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to elections; conduct of elections; annual post-election audits.22103024D
Patron: Chase
Elections; administration; registrars; certain prohibitions. Requires the State Board of Elections to establish and the Department of Elections to conduct a program for the evaluation of the performance of general registrars. Under such evaluation program, general registrars with below satisfactory performance are subject to remedial requirements and possible removal. The bill prohibits general registrars from conducting the duties of officers of election. The bill also provides that no general registrar may have a spouse, relative, or person with whom he resides who serves as the chairman of a political party or other officer of a state, local, or district level political party committee nor a spouse, relative, or person with whom he resides who serves as a paid or volunteer worker in the campaign of a candidate for nomination or election to an office filled by election in whole or in part by the qualified voters of the registrar's jurisdiction. The bill also applies certain prohibitions on registrars and their spouses to all assistant registrars, some of which only apply to paid assistant registrars under current law.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-103 and 24.2-110 of the Code of Virginia, relating to elections; administration; registrars; evaluation and certain prohibitions.22101503D
Patron: Chase
Elections; absentee voting; ballots to be returned before close of polls. Removes the provision of law requiring an absentee ballot that is returned to the general registrar after the closing of the polls on election day to be counted if it is received before noon on the third day after the election and is postmarked on or before the date of the election to be counted if the voter is found entitled to vote. The bill does not affect the exception for a covered voter who was not sent a ballot in a timely manner and whose voted ballot arrives after the close of polls.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-709 of the Code of Virginia, relating to elections; absentee voting; ballots to be returned before close of polls.22101633D
Patron: Bell
Campaign finance; prohibited personal use of campaign funds; complaints, hearings, civil penalty, and advisory opinions. Prohibits any person from converting contributions to a candidate or a candidate's campaign committee for their personal use. Current law only prohibits such conversion of contributions with regard to disbursement of surplus funds at the dissolution of a campaign or political committee. The bill provides that a contribution is considered to have been converted to personal use if the contribution, in whole or in part, is used to fulfill any commitment, obligation, or expense that would exist irrespective of the person's seeking, holding, or maintaining public office but excepts from "personal use" the ordinary and accepted expenses related to campaigning for or holding elective office, including the use of campaign funds to pay for the candidate's child care expenses that are incurred as a direct result of campaign activity. Any person subject to the personal use ban may request an advisory opinion from the State Board of Elections on such matters. The bill directs the State Board of Elections to adopt emergency regulations similar to those promulgated by the Federal Election Commission to implement the provisions of the bill and to provide an updated summary of Virginia campaign finance law that reflects the Attorney General's opinion and any new regulations promulgated by the State Board of Elections.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-3711, 24.2-946, and 24.2-948.4 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 3 of Chapter 9.3 of Title 24.2 sections numbered 24.2-948.5, 24.2-948.6, and 24.2-948.7, relating to relating to campaign finance; prohibited personal use of campaign funds; complaints, hearings, civil penalty, and advisory opinions.22102785D
Patron: McClellan
Elections; removal of officers; recall elections; petition. Provides for the removal of certain elected officers and officers appointed to elected offices by recall referendum. The bill requires a petition for recall be signed by 30 percent of the total number of votes cast at the last election for the office for which a recall is sought.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-103, 24.2-230, 24.2-233, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 24.2-238, 24.2-682, and 24.2-684.1 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 2 of Title 24.2 an article numbered 8, consisting of sections numbered 24.2-239 through 24.2-243; and to repeal § 24.2-234 of the Code of Virginia, relating to elections; removal of officers; recall elections; petition.22101043D
Patron: Chase
Absentee voting; excuse required to vote absentee by mail; signature match. Requires a registered voter to provide a reason for being absent or unable to vote at his polling place on election day in order to receive an absentee ballot to vote by mail. The bill requires a voter voting absentee by mail to open his ballot in the presence of a notary who must sign the ballot return envelope. The bill requires that the general registrar match the signature of the voter on an absentee return envelope to a signature that the general registrar has on file before processing the ballot. If the signature doesn't match, the absentee ballot is to be treated as a provisional vote subject to approval by the electoral board. The bill also repeals the permanent absentee voter list and limits the special annual application to those voters with an illness or disability.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-452, 24.2-612, 24.2-700, 24.2-701, 24.2-702.1, 24.2-703.1, 24.2-703.2, 24.2-706, 24.2-709, 24.2-709.1, and 24.2-1004 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 24.2-709.2, relating to absentee voting; excuse required to vote absentee by mail; signature match.22101614D
Patron: Ruff
State Board of Elections; membership. Increases the membership of the State Board of Elections from five to six members and provides that any third party or recognized political party whose candidate received greater than 20 percent of the votes in the Commonwealth for Governor at the last preceding gubernatorial election shall have representation on the Board.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-102 of the Code of Virginia, relating to State Board of Elections; membership.22101351D
Patron: Ebbin
Constitutional amendment (voter referendum); marriage; repeal of same-sex marriage prohibition; affirmative right to marry. Provides for a referendum at the November 8, 2022, election to approve or reject an amendment that would repeal the constitutional provision defining marriage as only a union between a man and woman as well as the related provisions that are no longer valid as a result of the United States Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. 644 (2015). The amendment provides that the right to marry is a fundamental right inherent in the liberty of persons and requires the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions and agents to issue marriage licenses, recognize marriages, and treat all marriages equally under the law, regardless of the sex or gender of the parties to the marriage. Religious organizations and clergy acting in their religious capacity have the right to refuse to perform any marriage.
A BILL to provide for the submission to the voters of a proposed amendment to Section 15-A of Article I of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to marriage; repeal of same-sex marriage prohibition; affirmative right to marry.22100392D
Patron: Stuart
Campaign finance; prohibited contributions to candidates; civil penalty. Prohibits any public utility from making any contribution to any committee or otherwise provide any money any other thing of value, given, advanced, loaned, or in any other way provided to any person or committee for the purpose of influencing the outcome of an election. The bill creates a civil penalty for violation of the prohibition of three times the amount of the contribution or $10,000, whichever is greater, payable to the State Treasurer for deposit to the general fund. The bill provides that any registered voter of the Commonwealth may file a petition with an appropriate circuit court for enforcement of these provisions.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 24.2-947.4:2, relating to campaign finance; prohibited contributions to candidates; civil penalty.22100427D
Patron: Chase
Elections; voter registration; lists of registered voters; provided to registered voters. Provides that the Department of Elections must provide the lists for their districts to any registered voter of the Commonwealth for a reasonable charge not to exceed its actual cost incurred in supplying the requested records.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-405 of the Code of Virginia, relating to elections; voter registration; lists of registered voters; provided free of charge to certain nonprofit organizations.22101643D
Patron: Chase
Elections; conduct of election; election results; post-election forensic audits. Provides for the conduct of a forensic audit of an election in a county or city upon the request of certain officials or upon the petition of a group of residents of the locality in question. The purpose of an audit is to determine the accuracy and legality of the election in question. The bill provides that an audit includes a review of all materials, equipment, and procedures used during any part of the election, including ballots, pollbooks, voting machines, and routers. The bill requires that the audit be open to the public and states that the auditing process may include participation by residents. The results of the audit are to be presented to a jury of local residents who have to power to declare the election valid or invalid. The bill also gives the State Inspector General the power and duty to conduct an audit of the 2020 general election and requires him to produce a report of his finding.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 24.2-671.2, relating to elections; conduct of election; election results; post-election forensic audits.22104062D
Patron: Vogel
Elections. Applies the provisions of the Virginia Personnel Act to the chief deputy and confidential assistant for policy or administration for the Department of Elections. The bill also (i) expands the membership of the State Board of Elections from five members to six members with equal representation given to both parties; (ii) gives the State Board of Elections the authority and duty to appoint the Commissioner of Elections of the Department of Elections by a supermajority vote; (iii) requires the Department of Elections to conduct periodic assessments to ensure that voters are assigned to the correct state legislative and congressional districts based on their residential addresses; (iv) requires the State Registrar of Vital Records to transmit lists of deceased persons weekly instead of the current monthly requirement; (v) requires the general registrars to use information in the lists of deceased persons to promptly remove deceased persons from the voter registration system; (vi) requires voters to present a valid form of photo identification when they vote; (vii) provides that audits of ballot scanner machines must take place prior to the certification of election results; (viii) provides that absentee ballots must be collected daily from absentee ballot drop-off locations by certain people and according to procedures for securing such ballots; (ix) provides that a postmark on an absentee ballot must be legible and no longer includes other official indicia of confirmation of mailing by a postal or delivery service; and (x) creates work groups to evaluate the performance of the Virginia voter registration system and to develop and implement a plan to provide oversight to local election administration to assess risks to Virginia's administration of elections. Portions of the bill affecting the composition of the State Board of Elections and the appointment of the Commissioner of Elections have a delayed effective date of January 1, 2023.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-106, 2.2-2905, 24.2-102, 24.2-404, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 24.2-408, 24.2-411.3, 24.2-427, 24.2-643, 24.2-653, 24.2-653.01, 24.2-671.1, 24.2-701, 24.2-701.1, 24.2-707.1, 24.2-709, and 24.2-709.1 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 24.2-707.2, relating to elections.22104278D
Patron: Locke
Constitutional amendment (second reference); qualifications of voters and the right to vote; persons not entitled to vote. Provides that every person who meets the qualifications of voters set forth in the Constitution shall have the fundamental right to vote in the Commonwealth and that such right shall not be abridged by law, except for persons who have been convicted of a felony and persons who have been adjudicated to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting. A person who has been convicted of a felony shall not be entitled to vote during any period of incarceration for such felony conviction, but upon release from incarceration for that felony conviction and without further action required of him such person shall be invested with all political rights, including the right to vote. Currently, in order to be qualified to vote a person convicted of a felony must have his civil rights restored by the Governor or other appropriate authority. The amendment also provides that a person adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction as lacking the capacity to understand the act of voting shall not be entitled to vote during this period of incapacity until his capacity has been reestablished as prescribed by law. Currently, the Constitution provides that a person who has been adjudicated to be mentally incompetent is not qualified to vote until his competency is reestablished.
Proposing an amendment to Section 1 of Article II of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to qualifications of voters and the right to vote; persons not entitled to vote.22100349D
Patron: Ebbin
Constitutional amendment (second reference); marriage; repeal of same-sex marriage prohibition; affirmative right to marry. Repeals the constitutional provision defining marriage as only a union between one man and one woman as well as the related provisions that are no longer valid as a result of the United States Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. 644 (2015). The amendment provides that the right to marry is a fundamental right inherent in the liberty of persons and requires the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions and agents to issue marriage licenses, recognize marriages, and treat all marriages equally under the law, regardless of the sex or gender of the parties to the marriage. Religious organizations and clergy acting in their religious capacity have the right to refuse to perform any marriage.
Proposing an amendment to Section 15-A of Article I of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to marriage; repeal of same-sex marriage prohibition; affirmative right to marry.22100319D
Patron: Deeds
Confirming Governor's appointments; June 1. Confirms appointments of certain persons made by Governor Ralph Northam and communicated to the General Assembly June 1, 2021.
Confirming appointments by the Governor of certain persons communicated to the General Assembly June 1, 2021.22100074D
Patron: Deeds
Confirming Governor's appointments; August 1. Confirms appointments of certain persons made by Governor Ralph Northam and communicated to the General Assembly August 1, 2021.
Confirming appointments by the Governor of certain persons communicated to the General Assembly August 1, 2021.22100199D
Patron: Deeds
Confirming Governor's appointments; December 1. Confirms appointments of certain persons made by Governor Ralph Northam and communicated to the General Assembly December 1, 2021.
Confirming appointments by the Governor of certain persons communicated to the General Assembly December 1, 2021.22103517D
Patron: Deeds
Confirming Governor's appointments; October 1. Confirms appointments of certain persons made by Governor Ralph Northam and communicated to the General Assembly October 1, 2021.
Confirming appointments by the Governor of certain persons communicated to the General Assembly October 1, 2021.22100408D