A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 24.2-307.1, relating to elections; districts, precincts, and polling places; super precincts; pilot program.
HB235 creates a temporary pilot program allowing Virginia counties and cities to establish “super precincts” served by one or more vote centers, subject to approval by the State Board of Elections. A locality that wants to participate must submit a detailed proposal describing the number and boundaries of super precincts, the number and location of vote centers, the elections in which they will be used, and the procedures for check-in, ballot issuance, ballot counting, and election integrity. The proposal must first be approved by a majority of the local governing body and unanimously by the local electoral board.
The bill sets minimum standards for any approved pilot: each super precinct must be made up of whole precincts, must have at least one vote center per 15,000 registered voters, and voters may only cast ballots at a center serving the super precinct where they live. The State Board must find that the locality has adequate administrative and technological capacity to prevent double voting and ensure all eligible voters can vote. The bill also requires the State Board to issue standards and guidelines and to publish a report on implementation and effectiveness each year the pilot is active. The pilot authority expires July 1, 2030.
HB235 would add a new section to Title 24.2 of the Code of Virginia governing elections, creating an exception to existing precinct and polling-place rules for localities participating in the super precinct pilot. It would suspend application of certain precinct and polling-place provisions for approved pilot areas, while leaving other election-law requirements in place unless specifically modified. Local governing bodies would be required to enact the super precincts and vote centers by ordinance after State Board approval, and the State Board would gain authority to set operational standards and evaluate the pilot through annual reporting.
The available record suggests the bill was treated as an election-administration pilot rather than a major policy overhaul, and it advanced only to a continued status in the House Privileges and Elections Committee by voice vote. That indicates at least some committee interest in studying the concept, but not enough immediate consensus to move it forward in the session. Because there are no recorded floor votes or committee transcripts provided, the broader sentiment can only be described as cautious and procedural, with the bill framed as an experiment to assess feasibility and effectiveness.
The main points of contention likely center on election integrity, administrative capacity, and the shift away from traditional precinct-based voting. The bill requires unanimous approval from both the local electoral board and the State Board, which suggests concern about whether super precincts and vote centers can be operated securely and fairly. Potential critics may worry about voter access, confusion over where people may vote, and the technology needed to prevent double voting, while supporters are likely focused on flexibility, efficiency, and studying whether vote centers can improve election administration.