FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Victoria Bragunier
804-517-5206
vbragunier@apvonline.org
Alliance for Progressive Values Monitoring 2013 General Assembly Voting and Election Bills
The 2013 Virginia General Assembly has only been in session since January 9th, but much has happened. One of the most disturbing trends this session has been the number of bills introduced with the sole purpose of disenfranchising voters. APV believes that voting and elections are a fundamental right and imperative to our democratic system of government.
Below is a list of voting and election bills that APV is monitoring. Please pay special attention to the bills we oppose as these bills will have a chilling effect on voters. Each bill listed includes a mini synopsis, along with APV’s position.
SB 719 Polling place procedures; voter identification requirements:
Removes several items from the list of acceptable identification documents that a voter must present when voting at the polls on election day: a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, or paycheck that shows the name and address of the voter. These documents continue to be valid identification for certain first-time voters at federal elections who are required to show identification under the Help America Vote Act of 2002. APV opposes this bill.
SB 723 Electoral College; State’s electoral votes shall be allocated by congressional district:
Provides that the Commonwealth’s electoral votes shall be allocated by congressional district. Receipt by a slate of presidential electors of the highest number of votes in a congressional district constitutes the election of the congressional district elector of that slate. Receipt by a slate of electors of the highest number of votes in a majority of congressional districts constitutes the election of the two at-large electors of that slate. In the event no slate receives the highest number of votes in a majority of districts, receipt by a slate of the highest number of votes statewide shall constitute election of the two at-large electors of that slate. APV opposes this bill.
SB 1072 Elections; electronic pollbooks, photographs:
Provides that electronic pollbooks shall contain a photograph of and identifying information for each voter either received from the Department of Motor Vehicles or taken by an officer of election when the voter presents himself to vote that shall be accessed by the officer of election when the voter presents himself to vote. If the voter does not appear to be the same person depicted in the photograph in the pollbook, any qualified voter may and the officer of election shall challenge the vote of such voter. A voter with religious objections to being photographed may refuse to have his photograph taken. APV opposes this bill.
SB 739 Mechanical and electronic voting devices; number required:
Provides that there shall be at least one voting device for each 500 registered voters in precinct. The current requirement is for one device for each 750 registered voters. APV supports this bill.
SB 968 Absentee ballots; officers of election shall not reject ballot if middle name is not on envelope:
Provides that officers of election shall not reject an absentee ballot on the basis that the voter failed to include a middle name or initial on the ballot envelope if such failure is not material to determining whether the individual is entitled to vote absentee. APV supports this bill.
SB 1008 Voter registration; registration activities by third parties:
Requires individuals and groups conducting voter registration drives to register with the State Board of Elections or local offices, provide information as required by the State Board, receive training, and execute a sworn affidavit that they will abide by all Virginia voter registration laws and rules. The bill also prohibits pre-populating registration applications with information unless directed by the applicant to do so. Finally, the bill reduces the time limit for mailing or delivering such completed applications from 15 to 10 days. APV opposes this bill.
SB 1145 Absentee ballots; confirmation of receipt.
Requires the Secretary of the State Board of Elections, in coordination with local election officials, to implement a free-access system by which a voter may determine whether his application for an absentee ballot has been received and accepted and whether his absentee ballot has been received and the current status of the absentee ballot. APV supports this bill.
SJ 266 Constitutional amendment (first resolution); restoration of civil rights:
Authorizes the General Assembly to provide by law for the restoration of civil rights for persons convicted of nonviolent felonies who have completed service of their sentences subject to the conditions, requirements, and definitions set forth in that law. The present Constitution provides for restoration of rights by the Governor. The amendment retains the right of the Governor to restore civil rights and adds the alternative for restoration of rights pursuant to law. APV supports this bill.
HB 259 House of Delegates Districts; technical adjustments in boundaries:
Makes technical changes in House of Delegates Districts 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 42, 43, 44, 45, 47, 49, 50, 51, 52, 55, 59, 60, 64, 67, 75, 87, and 99 in order to eliminate split voting precincts and otherwise facilitate administration of legislative elections by local officials. All districts remain within one percent deviation of the ideal population. APV opposes this bill.
HB 1599 Vote Centers; pilot program:
Authorizes the State Board of Elections to provide for a pilot program in which localities may establish vote centers for use in primary elections instead of having to operate a polling place for every precinct in the locality. A vote center will consist of a location where voters from two or more designated precincts may vote. The State Board shall publish a report on the program by August 15 of any year in which a vote center is used. The provisions of the bill expire on December 31, 2016. APV opposes this bill.
HB 1725 Absentee voting; handling of absentee ballot applications by third parties:
Requires any person who offers to mail or deliver 25 or more absentee ballot applications to first register with the State Board of Elections, receive training, and include a specified notice and information to applicants. The bill includes requirements for the timely return of applications. Failure to comply with these requirements is a Class 4 misdemeanor; destruction of or failure to mail an application is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Also, any person who knowingly aids or abets, or attempts to aid or abet, a violation of the Uniform Military and Overseas Voters Act is guilty of a Class 4 felony. APV opposes this bill.
HB 1747 Voter registration; registration activities by third parties:
Requires individuals and groups conducting voter registration drives to register with the State Board of Elections or local offices, provide information as required by the State Board, receive training, and execute a sworn affidavit that they will abide by all Virginia voter registration laws and rules. The bill also prohibits pre-populating registration applications with information unless directed by the applicant to do so. Finally, the bill reduces the time limit for mailing or delivering such completed applications from 15 to 10 days. APV opposes this bill.
HB 2107 Absentee ballot procedures and count; requires prompt counting immediately after close of polls:
Requires the prompt counting of absentee ballots immediately after the close of the polls and advance steps by the general registrar to prepare for the prompt counting of absentee ballots. APV supports this bill.
HB 2143 Voting; absentee ballot application and provisional ballot envelope information:
Specifies that only the last four digits of an individual’s social security number are to appear on the green envelope into which a provisional ballot is placed and that only the last four digits shall be required for absentee ballot applications. Clarifying language also is added to emphasize that provisional ballot envelopes are to be placed in the ballot container promptly. APV supports this bill.
To see a list of bills APV is monitoring please check out our Richmond Sunlight page.
