As the 2024 session gets started, new bills are being introduced every day now. There are many more that will “drop” in the next ten days to two weeks, so we will update our list of bills to monitor accordingly. If you know of something you think we should be watching, please let us know at ga@dlcv.org or info@dlcv.org or by calling 1-800-552-3962 or 1-804-225-2042.
The disAbility Law Center of Virginia supports the rights of individuals with disabilities to be able to vote in a manner that is accessible, easily available, and private. We promote more accessible polling places and better options for early, mail-in, and curbside voting to enable as many to be able to vote as want to.
The legislature is considering several bills concerning the right to vote, including:
Curbside Voting
- SB 605 (Subramanyam), HB 441 (Bennett-Parker), HB 43 (Thomas), and HB 1222 (Higgins) expand the definition of eligible voters who may request a curbside ballot. Current law limits this option to those with physical disabilities or who are 65 or older. The proposed legislation would allow for a voter with any kind of disability to request it.
Voter Identification Requirements
- SB 45 (Peake), SB 81 (McGuire, III), and HB 26 (Reid) would allow voting only when someone can present identification with a photo. The proposals remove the current law that allows someone without a photo ID to sign a declaration of their identity.
- HB 26 (Reid) states that acceptable identification to vote may include an ID card issued by a provider licensed by the Department of Health, Department of Social Services, Department of Medical Assistance Services, or Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.
Electronic Ballots
- HB 796 (Hope) requires that the Department of Elections establish an electronic transmission system through which a military or overseas voter or voter with a disability may request, receive, and return a ballot.
Constitutional Amendments
- HJ 2 (Bennett-Parker) and SJ 2 (Locke) would amend the Virginia constitution to state that a person under guardianship must be found to be lacking the capacity to understand the act of voting before being deprived of the right to vote. Currently, the Constitution of Virginia presumes that any person under guardianship is not qualified to vote.
Please check back here regularly as we learn or more bills impacting voting rights. The disAbility Law Center of Virginia is available to educate policymakers about the potential impact of these and other legislative proposals.