I support all legislation to remove big money from all election campaigns. I ask that you serve us, the people, not just those with wealth or corporate power. All the people.

The League of Women Voters urges you to report HB212. The bill improves the process for protecting all the people who run Virginia’s elections from intimidation, bribery, coercion or threats. Basically, the bill acknowledges how hard it is to prove that someone WILLFULLY committed one of the crimes enumerated in the statute. A prosecutor would still need to prove intent, which is difficult enough, without also proving what was going on inside that person’s head. We staunchly support our election officials and ask that you report the bill. The League of Women Voters strongly supports legislation that controls misleading political speech, however formatted. Beyond disguising its sponsors, altered media content sends messages that often deviates sharply from the original meaning and intent. In the current media environment, content can “go viral” in seconds, which increases the risk of spreading misleading or flat-out wrong information. A well-informed electorate is essential to a healthy democracy but it must be an accurately-informed electorate. Knowing that content has been altered or manipulated is essential to informed and thoughtful decisions. The League of Women Voters strongly supports HB868 and HB982. The League opposes HB 1056. It is a strength of current Virginia voting law that voters do NOT register by political party, which allows any registered voter to vote in either primary. Open primaries invite independents, who are a majority of all voters, to participate and have been shown to increase voter engagement and turnout. Yes, spoiler voters might affect an outcome but that is both uncommon and could affect both parties equally. Also, the bill suggests that the political parties could write rules controlling who votes in a state-run primary election, which is a disturbing prospect in a democracy.

I am opposed to any all bill that make it easier to cheat in elections like these bills being presented. I am opposed to any and all bills that make same sex marriage acceptable. I am opposed to any and all bills that allow full term abortion and allow minors to have abortions with out the parents knowledge. I am opposed to any and all bills that would allow minors to undergo transgender surgery . I am opposed to any and all bills that will raise taxes while the politicians are trying to give themselves a 150% increase no that is not acceptable.

I strongly oppose this bill. As an Independent voter for the last 30 years, I have been a very active supporter of and advocate for election reforms that would protect voters' rights to participate without joining a political party. Since moving to VA in 1999, I have enjoyed the freedom of voting in our semi-open primary elections, even as I worked with national organizations like Open Primaries and Delegate Sam Rasoul to propose legislation that would improve them by placing all candidates on a single ballot and advancing the favorites. Every year, it seems, the Republican Party of VA has sought to take us in the other direction by filing bills that would require voter registration by party so they can exclude all non-members. This bill would disenfranchise VA voters who want to exercise our right to full participation in the election process but do not wish to join either of the major parties that enjoy taxpayer-funded primary elections. Moreover, this will increase polarization by excluding Independents (who vastly outnumber Democrats and Republicans). Those who could have helped choose candidates more acceptable to all of their constituents will face a choice in the general election of casting our vote for a highly partisan candidate or sitting it out. This may be just fine with partisans, but it will not serve Virginians whose own delegates and senators will lack the incentive to represent their interests. Please vote No on HB1056.

I oppose this bill. Primaries should be open to everyone.