A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-530, 24.2-535, and 24.2-703.1 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 24.2-418.01, 24.2-423.1, and 24.2-516.1, relating to voter registration by political party affiliation; partially closed primary elections.
HB1056 would change Virginia’s voter registration system to record each registrant’s political party affiliation or independent status beginning January 1, 2027. New registration applications would include a place to declare party affiliation; if a voter does not choose a party, the voter would be treated as independent. Existing voters registered before that date would also be designated independent unless they affirmatively update their record. The bill also creates a process for voters to change their party affiliation or independent status with the local registrar, including by mail, in person, or through approved electronic means, subject to the normal period when registration records are closed.
The bill further restructures primary elections by requiring each political party to tell the State Board, by January 31 each year, what participation rules it will use for its primaries. Those rules could allow only registered party members, party members plus independents, all qualified voters, or other legally permitted limits such as excluding voters who participated in another party’s primary within a stated period. The bill also ties absentee voting to party affiliation: voters on the permanent absentee list would generally receive the primary ballot for their affiliated party, while independents would receive a party primary ballot only if that party’s rules allow independent participation and the voter requests it by the deadline. The bill would apply only to primaries held after April 1, 2027.
HB1056 would amend Virginia election law by adding new statutory sections governing party affiliation in voter registration, voter changes of affiliation, party notice requirements for primary participation rules, and absentee ballot handling for primaries. It would modify existing provisions on who may vote in primaries, how nominees are chosen, and how permanent absentee voters receive primary ballots. In practical terms, the bill would create a formal party-registration system and give political parties greater control over whether their primaries are open, partially open, or closed, while also changing administrative duties for registrars and the State Board of Elections.
The available record shows no committee transcript or recorded votes, so there is no documented floor or committee debate to gauge support or opposition. Based on the bill’s structure, it appears designed to appeal to those favoring clearer party identification and more party control over primary electorates, while likely drawing concern from voters and advocates who prefer open primaries or who oppose adding party affiliation to registration records. Because the bill was left in committee, the immediate legislative sentiment appears to have been neutral to unfavorable in committee, or at least insufficient to advance.
The main points of contention are likely to be the creation of party-affiliation registration records, the shift toward partially closed or party-controlled primaries, and the treatment of independent voters. Supporters would likely argue that parties should be able to define who participates in their nomination process and that the bill clarifies primary eligibility. Opponents would likely object that recording party affiliation on voter rolls could discourage participation, reduce primary access for independents, and complicate absentee voting and election administration. The requirement that parties annually notify the State Board of their primary rules may also be seen as either a flexibility feature or an administrative burden, depending on perspective.