Virginia 2023 Regular Session

Virginia Senate Bill SB1251

Introduced
1/10/23  

Caption

Elections; results to be delivered by officers representing both major parties on election night.

Impact

This legislation will significantly impact how elections are conducted in Virginia. By mandating the locking and sealing procedures for voting systems, SB1251 aims to reduce the risk of tampering and ensure that the integrity of election results is upheld. The bill also stipulates that in the case of a recount or contest, measures must be in place to securely manage the electoral materials, which involves cooperation among officers from both major political parties. Such procedures are designed to foster transparency and trust within the electoral framework, as well as potentially ease concerns about electoral fraud.

Summary

SB1251 introduces amendments to the Code of Virginia regarding the security and handling of voting systems and election materials. The bill emphasizes the need for locking and sealing voting machines after elections, ensuring that the equipment keys and data storage devices are properly secured. Upon the closure of polls, election officers are required to deliver these secured items to the clerk of the circuit court promptly, establishing an accountability mechanism for the election process. The overall intent of the bill is to bolster public confidence in the electoral system by enhancing the security protocols in place for handling election materials.

Contention

Notably, discussions surrounding SB1251 could center on the balance between security and accessibility in the voting process. Critics may raise concerns that overly stringent protocols could create barriers or delays for voters and election workers. Additionally, the requirements for bipartisan oversight in handling election materials may lead to debates about the practicality and feasibility of executing these provisions effectively under tight time constraints on election night. Proponents, on the other hand, will likely argue that these amendments underscore a unified commitment to ensuring that Virginia's electoral processes are robust against any threats to their integrity.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

VA HB968

Election results; counting machine-readable ballots, processing absentee ballots.

VA HB615

AN ACT relating to elections.

VA SB1164

An act to amend Sections 10010, 14025, 14026, and 21130 of, to add Sections 14033 and 14034 to, to add Article 1.5 (commencing with Section 19219.5) to Chapter 3 of Division 19 of, to repeal Section 14032 of, and to repeal and add Sections 14027, 14028, 14029, and 14030 of, the Elections Code, relating to elections.

VA HB684

AN ACT relating to elections.

VA H1203

Elections

VA HB1203

Elections:

VA HB968

An Act to amend and reenact ยงยง 24.2-653.01 and 24.2-654 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 24.2-709.2, relating to election results; counting machine-readable ballots.

VA SB3

Elections: signature verification and results.

VA SB599

In county boards of elections, further providing for expenses of county boards and of primaries and elections to be paid by county, expenses of special elections and boards to be provided with offices; in voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for date of application for absentee ballot and for voting by absentee electors; and, in voting by qualified mail-in electors, further providing for voting by mail-in electors.

VA HB1396

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in district election officers, further providing for compensation of district election officers; in election districts and polling places, providing for ballot drop boxes; in electronic voting systems, further providing for definitions and for supplies, preparation of the voting system and of polling places, providing for pre-election logic and accuracy testing, repealing provisions relating to statistical sample and providing for post-election ballot audit; providing for electronic poll books and for electronic poll books and election infrastructure equipment bonds; in preparation for and conduct of primaries and elections, further providing for manner of applying to vote, persons entitled to vote, voter's certificates, entries to be made in district register, numbered lists of voters and challenges and for deadline for receipt of valid voter registration application; providing for in-person early voting; in voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for date of application for absentee ballot, for approval of application for absentee ballot, for envelopes for official absentee ballots and for voting by absentee electors; in voting by qualified mail-in electors, further providing for applications for official mail-in ballots, for date of application for mail-in ballot, for approval of application for mail-in ballot, for envelopes for official mail-in ballots and for voting by mail-in electors; in returns of primaries and elections, further providing for computation of returns by county board, certification and issuance of certificates of election; in Election Integrity Grant Program, further providing for funding for elections; in recounts and contests, further providing for opening ballot boxes upon petition of electors alleging fraud or error and deposit or bond, for recanvassing voting machines upon petition of electors alleging fraud or error and for correction of returns, decision not to be final and evidence for prosecution; in penalties, further providing for interference with primaries and elections, frauds and conspiracy; making an appropriation; and making an editorial change. Amending Title 25 (Elections) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in registration system, further providing for SURE system; in voter registration, further providing for methods of voter registration, for application with driver's license application and for government agencies and for approval of registration applications; and, in changes in records, repealing provisions relating to removal notices, to transfer of registration and to change of enrollment of political party and further providing for death of registrant.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.