Virginia Republicans vote to advance additional legislation undermining ballot access across the commonwealth
Richmond, VA – Today, Virginia House Republicans passed additional legislation that would dramatically limit Virginians’ access to the ballot box and undermine the commonwealth’s democracy. Among the legislation passed today are bills to:
- Reduce in-person absentee voting from 45 days to 14 days (HB 39);
- Limit the period during which mail-in absentee ballots can be received (HB 956), and;
- Reinstate archaic photo-ID requirements (HB 1090).
This adds to the growing list of the Republican House majority’s anti-democracy efforts this session to:
- Repeal same-day voter registration (HB 185);
- Permit the personal use of campaign funds (HB 973);
- Deny curbside voting for Virginians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (HB 974), and;
- Attempt to silence the voices of voters on ballot initiatives that would enshrine the restoration of voting rights in the Constitution of Virginia and remove the now-defunct marriage equality ban (HJ28 & HJ 57).
“Virginia House Republicans are attempting to shred voting rights in the commonwealth. After more than a year of bolstering election misinformation, the House GOP is following Donald Trump’s marching orders to undermine the foundations of our democracy,” said House Democratic Leader Eileen Filler-Corn. “Over the past two years, Virginia Democrats elevated the commonwealth from 49th in the nation to the 12th ranked state for ease of voting access. Republican efforts to quiet the voices of voters is incredibly concerning — Virginians deserve to be heard at the ballot box.”
Additionally, House Democrats introduced a resolution aimed at reviving two ballot initiatives that would give Virginians an opportunity to make their voices heard and vote on marriage equality and the restoration of voting rights.