Comments Document

Dear Privileges and Elections Committee Members, I urge the committee to vote in favor of the Right to Vote Amendment and the associated referendum bills: HJ9 and HB130. Passing the amendment places the responsibility for this important decision where it should be – with Virginia's voters during the 2022 elections. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Beth Alley

We need transparency in our elections, not an information blackout for 60 plus days. Registrars in Virginia are not transparent, and only respond to FOIA requests. Why in the world do you want to block our only tool at the time we need it most? A good example, we tracked Drop Box daily Chain of Custody forms with FOIA requests last year. Fairfax refused and we filed suit and won. You should be as concerned about making our elections more transparent, as you are about the workload on registrars. If the Registrars were more transparent with public information, we wouldn’t need FOIA.

Voting is a constitutional right. Any law that restricts rather than expands our constitutional right & DUTY to vote is simply voter suppression. We must not repeal any expansions of absentee ballots. Do not decrease early voting. - extend the number of days allowed. Do not eliminate any ballot box locations- expand. We have no need to re-register absentee ballots every year. No excuse absentee voting is absolutely crucial. The state must provide easy and free access to voter ID if a photo is required. Since the USPS has slowed considerably, we must keep the 3 day rule for receiving ballots after election day. All local elections must be on Election Day (in Nov). Election Day should be a holiday. Until we do a complete overhaul of campaign finance & eliminate dark money/special interests there must be no restrictions on outreach, education & registration or from where a candidate may collect funds. Voter registration up to and including Election Day is absolutely crucial to ensure all citizens vote. I support all bills expanding our rights and abilities to make voting as easy as possible. I oppose all bills attempting to restrict any access to our ballot and our vote. The process is too important for the elected officials to be able to restrict us from our duty to be informed voters. Keep expanding our rights. Do not restrict, suppress or subvert them.

Voting is a constitutional right. Any law that restricts rather than expands our constitutional right & DUTY to vote is simply voter suppression. We must not repeal any expansions of absentee ballots. Do not decrease early voting. - extend the number of days allowed. Do not eliminate any ballot box locations- expand. We have no need to re-register absentee ballots every year. No excuse absentee voting is absolutely crucial. The state must provide easy and free access to voter ID if a photo is required. Since the USPS has slowed considerably, we must keep the 3 day rule for receiving ballots after election day. All local elections must be on Election Day (in Nov). Election Day should be a holiday. Until we do a complete overhaul of campaign finance & eliminate dark money/special interests there must be no restrictions on outreach, education & registration or from where a candidate may collect funds. Voter registration up to and including Election Day is absolutely crucial to ensure all citizens vote. I support all bills expanding our rights and abilities to make voting as easy as possible. I oppose all bills attempting to restrict any access to our ballot and our vote. The process is too important for the elected officials to be able to restrict us from our duty to be informed voters. Keep expanding our rights. Do not restrict, suppress or subvert them.

I Support HB 55. We should be doing everything possible to make sure the voter rolls reflect only those who are actively allowed to vote, and that definitely does not include dead Virginians. Please vote yes on this HB 55

I Support HB 55. We should be doing everything possible to make sure the voter rolls reflect only those who are actively allowed to vote, and that definitely does not include dead Virginians. Please vote yes on this HB 55

Voting is a constitutional right. Any law that restricts rather than expands our constitutional right & DUTY to vote is simply voter suppression. We must not repeal any expansions of absentee ballots. Do not decrease early voting. - extend the number of days allowed. Do not eliminate any ballot box locations- expand. We have no need to re-register absentee ballots every year. No excuse absentee voting is absolutely crucial. The state must provide easy and free access to voter ID if a photo is required. Since the USPS has slowed considerably, we must keep the 3 day rule for receiving ballots after election day. All local elections must be on Election Day (in Nov). Election Day should be a holiday. Until we do a complete overhaul of campaign finance & eliminate dark money/special interests there must be no restrictions on outreach, education & registration or from where a candidate may collect funds. Voter registration up to and including Election Day is absolutely crucial to ensure all citizens vote. I support all bills expanding our rights and abilities to make voting as easy as possible. I oppose all bills attempting to restrict any access to our ballot and our vote. The process is too important for the elected officials to be able to restrict us from our duty to be informed voters. Keep expanding our rights. Do not restrict, suppress or subvert them.

The Virginia Association of Counties strongly supports efforts to improve resources for election administration and this bill presents an excellent opportunity to make progress in strengthening the state-local partnership in this area. We submitted a letter via email to Committee members underscoring our support for this bill and related proposals before the Committee. Thank you for your consideration.

The League of Women Voters of Virginia strongly supports this bill to have the state reimburse the localities for the costs of absentee voting. Too often we hear of election expenses as "unfunded mandates," with greater and greater demands made of the localities. In some cases the localities do not have the resources to meet the standards required for efficient and secure early voting both in person and by mail, which accounted for over 50% of votes cast in the general election in 2020 and over 36% of total turnout in the 2021 general election.

Voting is a constitutional right. Any law that restricts rather than expands our constitutional right & DUTY to vote is simply voter suppression. We must not repeal any expansions of absentee ballots. Do not decrease early voting. - extend the number of days allowed. Do not eliminate any ballot box locations- expand. We have no need to re-register absentee ballots every year. No excuse absentee voting is absolutely crucial. The state must provide easy and free access to voter ID if a photo is required. Since the USPS has slowed considerably, we must keep the 3 day rule for receiving ballots after election day. All local elections must be on Election Day (in Nov). Election Day should be a holiday. Until we do a complete overhaul of campaign finance & eliminate dark money/special interests there must be no restrictions on outreach, education & registration or from where a candidate may collect funds. Voter registration up to and including Election Day is absolutely crucial to ensure all citizens vote. I support all bills expanding our rights and abilities to make voting as easy as possible. I oppose all bills attempting to restrict any access to our ballot and our vote. The process is too important for the elected officials to be able to restrict us from our duty to be informed voters. Keep expanding our rights. Do not restrict, suppress or subvert them.

Comments Document

Dear Privileges and Elections Committee Members, I urge the committee to vote in favor of the Right to Vote Amendment and the associated referendum bills: HJ9 and HB130. Passing the amendment places the responsibility for this important decision where it should be – with Virginia's voters during the 2022 elections. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Beth Alley

This bill has failed and should be removed from the comment list.

Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting. Thanks.

Please support ranked choice voting!

I favor ranked choice voting, and hope you will pass both of these bills

Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting

please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting"

please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting

I want to voice my support for ranked choice voting in Virginia in all elections

Please support ranked choice voting

Please support HB129 and HB603 for rank choice voting

Let's put rank-choice voting in the Commonwealth of Virginia and end the two-party duopoly.

I encourage reporting of HB129 and HB603 that will encourage rank choice voting at all levels in Virginia to promote greater transparency in elections.

Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked-choice voting to advance a fairer representative democracy that better reflects the voters of Virginia.

Please expand ranked choice voting in Virginia. It’s something both parties desperately need. This is a very positive thing and enhances fairness and reason for everyone.

Please support HB 129 and HB 603. Ranked choice voting gives voters more power to express their support for candidates.

Please favor HB129 and HB603 for demonstrated fair and effective voting.

Please vote to use ranked choice voting in all of our VA coming elections

Please support HB 129 and 603 for rank choice voting. This is increase the chance that a candidate will a be more broadly inclusive of the constituents perspectives and values. Thank you.

Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting! Christine N Bradley Madison County, VA

My name is Andrew Schechtman-Rook, and I live in Fairfax County. Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting. Thank you very much.

Please vote in favor of HB129 and HB603, in favor of ranked choice voting. This will go far in improving election campaigning, candidate choices available to voters and voter engagement.

Ranked choice voting makes good sense. Please support these bills.

The political tension in America is so bad that previously anti-gun members of my family have started arming themselves for a potential civil war. It seems crazy, but when I watch the news all I hear about is how the "other" side poses an existential threat to democracy. We don't vote for the candidate we like, but against the one we fear. It's no wonder things have gotten so crazy. Under our current voting system, this outcome is inevitable. Elections are won by whoever gets the most votes, and fear-based rhetoric energizes voter turnout. It's an effective strategy that won't just go away. But this rhetoric also drives division, mistrust, and leads to a breakdown of civility and our democratic process. I believe a way out of this mess is Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). In this system, voters rank their preferred candidates instead of selecting one person they dislike least. By its very nature, the system discourages an "us against them" campaign strategy because candidates must appeal to a broader number of voters so they can get ranked higher. By allowing RCV, Virginia serves as an example to the nation on how to cool political tensions and gain a more effective, less partisan government. Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting.

Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting. Thank you!

Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting

Please support HB603, HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting.

Please support HB129 and HB603 for Ranked Choice Voting. Thank you, Nancy Springer Arlington

Comments Document

I am attaching an issue brief I wrote on Ranked Choice Voting. Please support RCV for Virginia's future.

Comments Document

Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting. Ranked choice voting is a way to change our elections for the better. RCV is easy, and its benefits are numerous: it has bipartisan support, gets rid of spoiler candidates, forces candidates to appeal to a broad swath of the population, eliminates the need to tactically vote, creates more representative election outcomes, and gives voters more choice at the ballot box. All voters, regardless of political affiliation, will benefit from Ranked Choice Voting.

Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting.

Thank you to committee members Williams, VanValkenburg, and Glass for patroning HB129. Both that bill and HB603 deserve everyone’s support. As we’ve seen, ranked-choice voting doesn’t favor any party over another; it just empowers voters to have their views better represented in the outcomes of elections. Whether RCV is used in a primary or a general election and whether it’s used for a local, statewide, or federal office, a member of a governing body, or an executive, it produces winners who have more of a mandate because they clearly represent the majority of voters and were elected on their merits, not because voters were forced to vote strategically. My experience voting in RCV elections here in Arlington has been that it is far more engaging; it is worth my time to learn about every single one of the candidates and fill out my ballot completely. Of course, it is also entirely optional to do so; I could choose to vote for only my top choice if I prefer. RCV should be available to parties in primaries, not just in conventions and caucuses. There are plenty of resources to help the State Board of Elections promulgate the necessary regulations.

Please support HB129 and HB603

As a lifelong resident of Virginia and first-time writer to the state legislature, I strongly request that the House Privileges and Elections Committee support HB129 and HB603. In a divided government, rank choice voting is one area that elected officials from across the political aisle can get behind and would be an important step forward in helping citizens regain trust in our institutions. I sincerely hope you use this opportunity to create a better future for the state going forward.

Our country and commonwealth are in desperate need political reform that benefits voters. Ranked Choice Voting has proven time and time again to be a fair and effective way of choosing elected officials. Additionally, it has tremendous support in almost every instance where it’s been used. The passage of HB129 and HB603 would dramatically improve the electoral process and representation for Virginians, regardless of political affiliation. Please vote in favor of HB129 and HB603.

I urge the members to vote in favor of HB 129 and HB 603. Both of these bills expand voter opportunity and give the choice to localities and parties concerning how to hold elections. Ranked Choice Voting is a proven method that has been adopted across the country for many years. More localities and states are adopting this method of voting due to it's success. I thank you so much for your vote for these two important bills for Virginia.

Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting. This is now a tested and proven method for expanding and improving voter participation and ensuring that officials represent a majority of the voters.

Please support HB129 and HB603, to expand ranked choice voting in Virginia!

Please support HB’s 129 and 603. Ranked choice voting is a simple, yet powerful way to give all Virginia voters, regardless of party affiliation, a stronger voice and more confidence in our elections.

please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting.

please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting

Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting!

I support ranked choice voting as an improved mechanism to identify the most preferred candidate for an elected position. I strongly believe that there is no particular partisan outcome or benefit from implementing ranked choice voting. Providing appropriate opportunities and regulations for ranked choice voting in Virginia is an important step forward for democracy in the Commonwealth. Therefore I support HB129 and HB603. I hope that the House Committee will pass a bill to expand opportunities and administrative guidance for ranked choice voting in Virginia. Sincerely Elise Larsen 22043

Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting. Thank you.

HB 129 My name is Mike Cantwell. I am the Vice President of FairVote Virginia and the Virginia Chapter Leader for Veterans for Political Innovation (VPI). FairVote Virginia and VPI fully support HB 129 and encourage members of House Privileges and Elections Committee to support this bill. This is a commonsense bill that will give political parties the option of using Ranked Choice Voting to select their nominees for general elections. Research shows that elections using the Ranked Choice Voting method increase civility and positive campaigning, eliminate the “spoiler effect,” encourage candidates to build broad and diverse coalitions, increase voter participation, and give more power to voters. Using Ranked Choice Voting will also eliminate the disenfranchisement of thousands of voters who use mail-in ballots … a method of voting used by many Active-Duty military members and their families. By supporting this bill, you will demonstrate your support to Virginia voters and the brave men and women in our military. HB 603 My name is Mike Cantwell. I am the Vice President of FairVote Virginia and the Virginia Chapter Leader for Veterans for Political Innovation (VPI). FairVote Virginia and VPI fully support HB 603 and encourage members of House Privileges and Elections Committee to support this bill. This is a commonsense bill that will give local governing bodies the option of using Ranked Choice Voting to elect treasurers, sheriffs, Commonwealth attorneys, circuit court clerks, and commissioners of revenue. Research shows that elections using the Ranked Choice Voting method increase civility and positive campaigning, eliminate the “spoiler effect,” encourage candidates to build broad and diverse coalitions, increase voter participation, and give more power to voters. Using Ranked Choice Voting will also eliminate the disenfranchisement of thousands of voters who use mail-in ballots … a method of voting used by many Active-Duty military members and their families. By supporting this bill, you will demonstrate your support to Virginia voters and the brave men and women in our military.

I urge you to vote in favor of HB129 and HB603 to support ranked choice voting. Thank you.

Please vote for HB129,& HB603.

Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting.

Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting.

Please support ranked choice voting! It has a proven track record of more humane elections and that is what we all need right now!

RCV is straightforward for voters; rank candidates in order of preference. Voters rank as many candidates as they want, without fear that ranking others will hurt the chances of their favorite candidate. RCV results in a candidate winning with a true majority outcome. Candidates nominated by RCV in a convention or primary, may be more likely to win in the General Election. Places that already have RCV have seen higher turnout, cleaner campaigning, and greater engagement from diverse candidates and voters. RCV can save time and money, compared to a run-off election or convention. The Republican Party of Virginia has now used RCV in conventions to nominate Chair Anderson and their slate of Executive Candidates, whom went on to win in the General Election. The Democratic Party has also used RCV to nominate candidates for local elections in Virginia. However, a law passed in 2021 Special Session (HB2020), which has delayed enactment until 2024, will require parties to accommodate absentee voting at conventions. If parties have no mechanisms in place to run absentee ballots for conventions, they will need to be able to select a state-run primary. Parties should have the option, in state-run primaries, to use ranked choice voting. HB129 would allow for that. FairVote Virginia has heard from localities that would like to implement RCV for local offices, but under current law, they are limited to the option for city council or county boards. There are localities that are interested in RCV for Mayor or School Board. HB603 would allow for that. Furthermore, redistricting is going to shake things up and make elections more competitive. We may see more people running for office. Citizens may find themselves represented by an incumbent that they did not vote for and feel compelled to step up to challenge. There may be primaries or special elections with 3, 4, 5 ,6, or more candidates. We should have the option to ensure that we get to winning candidates with a broad coalition of support. The State Board of Elections published regulations in December 2021, to direct localities on how to administer ranked choice voting elections. Many on this committee have voted in favor of RCV in years passed, either in 2018 or 2020, or both. Most bills proposing RCV have had bipartisan support. I hope HB129 and HB603 can bring support from all members of this committee today. Kind Regards, Elizabeth Melson President, FairVote Virginia

Voting is a constitutional right. Any law that restricts rather than expands our constitutional right & DUTY to vote is simply voter suppression. We must not repeal any expansions of absentee ballots. Do not decrease early voting. - extend the number of days allowed. Do not eliminate any ballot box locations- expand. We have no need to re-register absentee ballots every year. No excuse absentee voting is absolutely crucial. The state must provide easy and free access to voter ID if a photo is required. Since the USPS has slowed considerably, we must keep the 3 day rule for receiving ballots after election day. All local elections must be on Election Day (in Nov). Election Day should be a holiday. Until we do a complete overhaul of campaign finance & eliminate dark money/special interests there must be no restrictions on outreach, education & registration or from where a candidate may collect funds. Voter registration up to and including Election Day is absolutely crucial to ensure all citizens vote. I support all bills expanding our rights and abilities to make voting as easy as possible. I oppose all bills attempting to restrict any access to our ballot and our vote. The process is too important for the elected officials to be able to restrict us from our duty to be informed voters. Keep expanding our rights. Do not restrict, suppress or subvert them.

Voting should be simple, quick, and accesible to everyone. We have a lot of elderly and/or disabled residents, people who don't have access to a car, or members of the military serving overseas. Our legislators in Richmond should be working to make every Virginia's voice is heard. In addition, returning citizens should be eligible to vote once their sentence is completed. If they've served their time in prison as determined by a judge and/or jury, no purpose is served by denying them the right to vote.

Virginia enacted several new voting laws in 2020 and 2021 to make voting more accessible during the pandemic. Early in-person voting hours were increased, mail-in absentee ballots no longer required a witness signature, more drop-box locations were available. These changes led to record voter turnout (with insignificant fraud) in both the 2020 presidential election and the 2021 gubernatorial election. Therefore I oppose any new bill that would restrict our rights to accessible voting.

The League of Women Voters opposes HB 195 because it allows localities to move polling places more than a mile outside the precinct boundaries, making the polling places distant or inaccessible for voters. While the bill says the localities can apply for a waiver if there is no suitable building available in or within a mile of the precinct boundaries, the determination of what constitutes a suitable building is entirely within the discretion of the local governing body. The bill compels the Department of Elections to grant the waiver. The Department can only condition a waiver on the accessibility and security of the building. "Accessibility" in this context means ADA compliance, not accessibility to voters in general.

Voting is a constitutional right. Any law that restricts rather than expands our constitutional right & DUTY to vote is simply voter suppression. We must not repeal any expansions of absentee ballots. Do not decrease early voting. - extend the number of days allowed. Do not eliminate any ballot box locations- expand. We have no need to re-register absentee ballots every year. No excuse absentee voting is absolutely crucial. The state must provide easy and free access to voter ID if a photo is required. Since the USPS has slowed considerably, we must keep the 3 day rule for receiving ballots after election day. All local elections must be on Election Day (in Nov). Election Day should be a holiday. Until we do a complete overhaul of campaign finance & eliminate dark money/special interests there must be no restrictions on outreach, education & registration or from where a candidate may collect funds. Voter registration up to and including Election Day is absolutely crucial to ensure all citizens vote. I support all bills expanding our rights and abilities to make voting as easy as possible. I oppose all bills attempting to restrict any access to our ballot and our vote. The process is too important for the elected officials to be able to restrict us from our duty to be informed voters. Keep expanding our rights. Do not restrict, suppress or subvert them.

Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting. Thanks.

Please support ranked choice voting!

I favor ranked choice voting, and hope you will pass both of these bills

Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting

please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting"

please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting

I support ranked choice voting as it provides a bath to more honest and less corrupt people to hold office. Please advance this bill.

I want to voice my support for ranked choice voting in Virginia in all elections

Please support ranked choice voting

Please support HB129 and HB603 for rank choice voting

Let's put rank-choice voting in the Commonwealth of Virginia and end the two-party duopoly.

I encourage reporting of HB129 and HB603 that will encourage rank choice voting at all levels in Virginia to promote greater transparency in elections.

I'd like to voice my strong support for ranked-choice voting, in my opinion our current first past the post system of counting votes has been outdated for a century or more, and it's time that we improve voting for all and set an example for the country

To the Privileges and Elections Committee I am writing this comment because I believe that localities should have the option of expanding the use of ranked choice voting in their area. Currently, only county board and city councils may pilot the system for their elections, excluding positions such as school boards, commonwealth attorneys and the like. More autonomy for local government is a fundamentally bi-partisan issue. This is in essence what HB603 would allow for.

Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked-choice voting to advance a fairer representative democracy that better reflects the voters of Virginia.

Please expand ranked choice voting in Virginia. It’s something both parties desperately need. This is a very positive thing and enhances fairness and reason for everyone.

Please support HB 129 and HB 603. Ranked choice voting gives voters more power to express their support for candidates.

Please favor HB129 and HB603 for demonstrated fair and effective voting.

Please vote to use ranked choice voting in all of our VA coming elections

Please support HB 129 and 603 for rank choice voting. This is increase the chance that a candidate will a be more broadly inclusive of the constituents perspectives and values. Thank you.

Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting! Christine N Bradley Madison County, VA

My name is Andrew Schechtman-Rook, and I live in Fairfax County. Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting. Thank you very much.

Please vote in favor of HB129 and HB603, in favor of ranked choice voting. This will go far in improving election campaigning, candidate choices available to voters and voter engagement.

please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice votIng. Now more than ever we need this update to our elections to save our democracy from the cancer of partisanship.

Ranked choice voting makes good sense. Please support these bills.

The political tension in America is so bad that previously anti-gun members of my family have started arming themselves for a potential civil war. It seems crazy, but when I watch the news all I hear about is how the "other" side poses an existential threat to democracy. We don't vote for the candidate we like, but against the one we fear. It's no wonder things have gotten so crazy. Under our current voting system, this outcome is inevitable. Elections are won by whoever gets the most votes, and fear-based rhetoric energizes voter turnout. It's an effective strategy that won't just go away. But this rhetoric also drives division, mistrust, and leads to a breakdown of civility and our democratic process. I believe a way out of this mess is Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). In this system, voters rank their preferred candidates instead of selecting one person they dislike least. By its very nature, the system discourages an "us against them" campaign strategy because candidates must appeal to a broader number of voters so they can get ranked higher. By allowing RCV, Virginia serves as an example to the nation on how to cool political tensions and gain a more effective, less partisan government. Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting.

Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting. Thank you!

Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting

Please support HB603, HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting.

Please support HB129 and HB603 for Ranked Choice Voting. Thank you, Nancy Springer Arlington

Comments Document

I am attaching an issue brief I wrote on Ranked Choice Voting. Please support RCV for Virginia's future.

Comments Document

Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting. Ranked choice voting is a way to change our elections for the better. RCV is easy, and its benefits are numerous: it has bipartisan support, gets rid of spoiler candidates, forces candidates to appeal to a broad swath of the population, eliminates the need to tactically vote, creates more representative election outcomes, and gives voters more choice at the ballot box. All voters, regardless of political affiliation, will benefit from Ranked Choice Voting.

Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting.

Thank you to committee members Williams, VanValkenburg, and Glass for patroning HB129. Both that bill and HB603 deserve everyone’s support. As we’ve seen, ranked-choice voting doesn’t favor any party over another; it just empowers voters to have their views better represented in the outcomes of elections. Whether RCV is used in a primary or a general election and whether it’s used for a local, statewide, or federal office, a member of a governing body, or an executive, it produces winners who have more of a mandate because they clearly represent the majority of voters and were elected on their merits, not because voters were forced to vote strategically. My experience voting in RCV elections here in Arlington has been that it is far more engaging; it is worth my time to learn about every single one of the candidates and fill out my ballot completely. Of course, it is also entirely optional to do so; I could choose to vote for only my top choice if I prefer. RCV should be available to parties in primaries, not just in conventions and caucuses. There are plenty of resources to help the State Board of Elections promulgate the necessary regulations.

Please support HB129 and HB603

As a lifelong resident of Virginia and first-time writer to the state legislature, I strongly request that the House Privileges and Elections Committee support HB129 and HB603. In a divided government, rank choice voting is one area that elected officials from across the political aisle can get behind and would be an important step forward in helping citizens regain trust in our institutions. I sincerely hope you use this opportunity to create a better future for the state going forward.

Our country and commonwealth are in desperate need political reform that benefits voters. Ranked Choice Voting has proven time and time again to be a fair and effective way of choosing elected officials. Additionally, it has tremendous support in almost every instance where it’s been used. The passage of HB129 and HB603 would dramatically improve the electoral process and representation for Virginians, regardless of political affiliation. Please vote in favor of HB129 and HB603.

I urge the members to vote in favor of HB 129 and HB 603. Both of these bills expand voter opportunity and give the choice to localities and parties concerning how to hold elections. Ranked Choice Voting is a proven method that has been adopted across the country for many years. More localities and states are adopting this method of voting due to it's success. I thank you so much for your vote for these two important bills for Virginia.

Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting. This is now a tested and proven method for expanding and improving voter participation and ensuring that officials represent a majority of the voters.

Please support HB129 and HB603, to expand ranked choice voting in Virginia!

Please support HB’s 129 and 603. Ranked choice voting is a simple, yet powerful way to give all Virginia voters, regardless of party affiliation, a stronger voice and more confidence in our elections.

please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting.

please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting

Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting!

I support ranked choice voting as an improved mechanism to identify the most preferred candidate for an elected position. I strongly believe that there is no particular partisan outcome or benefit from implementing ranked choice voting. Providing appropriate opportunities and regulations for ranked choice voting in Virginia is an important step forward for democracy in the Commonwealth. Therefore I support HB129 and HB603. I hope that the House Committee will pass a bill to expand opportunities and administrative guidance for ranked choice voting in Virginia. Sincerely Elise Larsen 22043

Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting. Thank you.

HB 129 My name is Mike Cantwell. I am the Vice President of FairVote Virginia and the Virginia Chapter Leader for Veterans for Political Innovation (VPI). FairVote Virginia and VPI fully support HB 129 and encourage members of House Privileges and Elections Committee to support this bill. This is a commonsense bill that will give political parties the option of using Ranked Choice Voting to select their nominees for general elections. Research shows that elections using the Ranked Choice Voting method increase civility and positive campaigning, eliminate the “spoiler effect,” encourage candidates to build broad and diverse coalitions, increase voter participation, and give more power to voters. Using Ranked Choice Voting will also eliminate the disenfranchisement of thousands of voters who use mail-in ballots … a method of voting used by many Active-Duty military members and their families. By supporting this bill, you will demonstrate your support to Virginia voters and the brave men and women in our military. HB 603 My name is Mike Cantwell. I am the Vice President of FairVote Virginia and the Virginia Chapter Leader for Veterans for Political Innovation (VPI). FairVote Virginia and VPI fully support HB 603 and encourage members of House Privileges and Elections Committee to support this bill. This is a commonsense bill that will give local governing bodies the option of using Ranked Choice Voting to elect treasurers, sheriffs, Commonwealth attorneys, circuit court clerks, and commissioners of revenue. Research shows that elections using the Ranked Choice Voting method increase civility and positive campaigning, eliminate the “spoiler effect,” encourage candidates to build broad and diverse coalitions, increase voter participation, and give more power to voters. Using Ranked Choice Voting will also eliminate the disenfranchisement of thousands of voters who use mail-in ballots … a method of voting used by many Active-Duty military members and their families. By supporting this bill, you will demonstrate your support to Virginia voters and the brave men and women in our military.

I urge you to vote in favor of HB129 and HB603 to support ranked choice voting. Thank you.

Please vote for HB129,& HB603.

Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting.

Please support HB129 and HB603 for ranked choice voting.

Please support ranked choice voting! It has a proven track record of more humane elections and that is what we all need right now!

RCV is straightforward for voters; rank candidates in order of preference. Voters rank as many candidates as they want, without fear that ranking others will hurt the chances of their favorite candidate. RCV results in a candidate winning with a true majority outcome. Candidates nominated by RCV in a convention or primary, may be more likely to win in the General Election. Places that already have RCV have seen higher turnout, cleaner campaigning, and greater engagement from diverse candidates and voters. RCV can save time and money, compared to a run-off election or convention. The Republican Party of Virginia has now used RCV in conventions to nominate Chair Anderson and their slate of Executive Candidates, whom went on to win in the General Election. The Democratic Party has also used RCV to nominate candidates for local elections in Virginia. However, a law passed in 2021 Special Session (HB2020), which has delayed enactment until 2024, will require parties to accommodate absentee voting at conventions. If parties have no mechanisms in place to run absentee ballots for conventions, they will need to be able to select a state-run primary. Parties should have the option, in state-run primaries, to use ranked choice voting. HB129 would allow for that. FairVote Virginia has heard from localities that would like to implement RCV for local offices, but under current law, they are limited to the option for city council or county boards. There are localities that are interested in RCV for Mayor or School Board. HB603 would allow for that. Furthermore, redistricting is going to shake things up and make elections more competitive. We may see more people running for office. Citizens may find themselves represented by an incumbent that they did not vote for and feel compelled to step up to challenge. There may be primaries or special elections with 3, 4, 5 ,6, or more candidates. We should have the option to ensure that we get to winning candidates with a broad coalition of support. The State Board of Elections published regulations in December 2021, to direct localities on how to administer ranked choice voting elections. Many on this committee have voted in favor of RCV in years passed, either in 2018 or 2020, or both. Most bills proposing RCV have had bipartisan support. I hope HB129 and HB603 can bring support from all members of this committee today. Kind Regards, Elizabeth Melson President, FairVote Virginia

Voting is a constitutional right. Any law that restricts rather than expands our constitutional right & DUTY to vote is simply voter suppression. We must not repeal any expansions of absentee ballots. Do not decrease early voting. - extend the number of days allowed. Do not eliminate any ballot box locations- expand. We have no need to re-register absentee ballots every year. No excuse absentee voting is absolutely crucial. The state must provide easy and free access to voter ID if a photo is required. Since the USPS has slowed considerably, we must keep the 3 day rule for receiving ballots after election day. All local elections must be on Election Day (in Nov). Election Day should be a holiday. Until we do a complete overhaul of campaign finance & eliminate dark money/special interests there must be no restrictions on outreach, education & registration or from where a candidate may collect funds. Voter registration up to and including Election Day is absolutely crucial to ensure all citizens vote. I support all bills expanding our rights and abilities to make voting as easy as possible. I oppose all bills attempting to restrict any access to our ballot and our vote. The process is too important for the elected officials to be able to restrict us from our duty to be informed voters. Keep expanding our rights. Do not restrict, suppress or subvert them.

I'm writing to support HB 972. Our current system of recalling elected officials is absurd, with no constraints nor transparency. It is a system that allows abuse and removes will of the voters.

Voting is a constitutional right. Any law that restricts rather than expands our constitutional right & DUTY to vote is simply voter suppression. We must not repeal any expansions of absentee ballots. Do not decrease early voting. - extend the number of days allowed. Do not eliminate any ballot box locations- expand. We have no need to re-register absentee ballots every year. No excuse absentee voting is absolutely crucial. The state must provide easy and free access to voter ID if a photo is required. Since the USPS has slowed considerably, we must keep the 3 day rule for receiving ballots after election day. All local elections must be on Election Day (in Nov). Election Day should be a holiday. Until we do a complete overhaul of campaign finance & eliminate dark money/special interests there must be no restrictions on outreach, education & registration or from where a candidate may collect funds. Voter registration up to and including Election Day is absolutely crucial to ensure all citizens vote. I support all bills expanding our rights and abilities to make voting as easy as possible. I oppose all bills attempting to restrict any access to our ballot and our vote. The process is too important for the elected officials to be able to restrict us from our duty to be informed voters. Keep expanding our rights. Do not restrict, suppress or subvert them.

Voting should be simple, quick, and accesible to everyone. We have a lot of elderly and/or disabled residents, people who don't have access to a car, or members of the military serving overseas. Our legislators in Richmond should be working to make every Virginia's voice is heard. In addition, returning citizens should be eligible to vote once their sentence is completed. If they've served their time in prison as determined by a judge and/or jury, no purpose is served by denying them the right to vote.

Virginia enacted several new voting laws in 2020 and 2021 to make voting more accessible during the pandemic. Early in-person voting hours were increased, mail-in absentee ballots no longer required a witness signature, more drop-box locations were available. These changes led to record voter turnout (with insignificant fraud) in both the 2020 presidential election and the 2021 gubernatorial election. Therefore I oppose any new bill that would restrict our rights to accessible voting.

The League of Women Voters of Virginia recognizes that temporary and permanent disabilities that are not physical in nature can affect a voter's ability to vote in person. Examples would include a voter who is on the autism spectrum, or one who is immunocompromised. Being able to vote curbside, like voters with physical disabilities, would make voting in person possible for them. The League supports this bill.

I support HB 974. I have used curbside voting and been very grateful to have this option. This bill recognizes that not all disabilities are physical and that other kinds of disabilities can keep people from using an inside polling place. Therefore, I hope you will pass HB 974.

Voting is a constitutional right. Any law that restricts rather than expands our constitutional right & DUTY to vote is simply voter suppression. We must not repeal any expansions of absentee ballots. Do not decrease early voting. - extend the number of days allowed. Do not eliminate any ballot box locations- expand. We have no need to re-register absentee ballots every year. No excuse absentee voting is absolutely crucial. The state must provide easy and free access to voter ID if a photo is required. Since the USPS has slowed considerably, we must keep the 3 day rule for receiving ballots after election day. All local elections must be on Election Day (in Nov). Election Day should be a holiday. Until we do a complete overhaul of campaign finance & eliminate dark money/special interests there must be no restrictions on outreach, education & registration or from where a candidate may collect funds. Voter registration up to and including Election Day is absolutely crucial to ensure all citizens vote. I support all bills expanding our rights and abilities to make voting as easy as possible. I oppose all bills attempting to restrict any access to our ballot and our vote. The process is too important for the elected officials to be able to restrict us from our duty to be informed voters. Keep expanding our rights. Do not restrict, suppress or subvert them.

As a consistent Fairfax County voter, a retired speech/language clinician and early childhood special educator, and an active participant in activities for the deaf and hard of hearing, I urge you to support the changes in the voter accessibility bill to facilitate persons with a variety of disabilities in addition to the physical disabilities in the current law, so that it mirrors ADA. Voting is a fundamental right for all Americans, including those with disabilities.

As a person with POTS Syndrome (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) and an anxiety disorder, I found curbside voting to be essential in my ability to vote in the last election. Although I can physically stand for short periods of time, the longer I stand in place the higher my heart rate goes which leads to my having severe dizziness. I had great fear about showing up at my early voting location and being turned away when trying to vote curbside due to my disability. If curbside voting is not available to all persons with disabilities, I believe persons fundamental rights in our commonwealth are being taken away. I urge you to make it possible for all persons to exercise this important right by passing HB974.

I am writing as a special educator on behalf of amending the current code and expanding the definition of disability for the purpose of assistance outside a polling place. The current definition applies to those with a physical disability. This amendment will expand the definition to apply to any permanent or temporary disability. The amendment will make the language of Virginia code consistent with the definition of disability in the Americans with Disabilities Act. As a special educator in Virginia for more than 40 years, I have seen great progress in the education and preparation of individuals with disabilities for participation as adults in their communities. Still, as adults, persons with disabilities face limits to civic engagement and full participation in the life of the community. The current practice in code of providing outside assistance to those with temporary or permanent physical disabilities is a step in the right direction; however, it limits assistance to others in the disability community who might benefit. Expanding the definition, as proposed in this amendment, and aligning it with the ADA definition of disability will further the goal of full civic engagement for adults with disabilities. Eva Thorp Associate Professor Emerita Special Education/Early Childhood Education George Mason University

Comments Document

Dear Privileges and Elections Committee Members, I urge the committee to vote in favor of the Right to Vote Amendment and the associated referendum bills: HJ9 and HB130. Passing the amendment places the responsibility for this important decision where it should be – with Virginia's voters during the 2022 elections. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Beth Alley

BOTH HJ9 and HB130. Privileges and Elections Committee Members, I urge the committee to vote in favor of the Right to Vote Amendment and the associated referendum bills: HJ9 and HB130. Passing the amendment places the responsibility for this important decision where it should be – with Virginia's voters during the 2022 elections. Thank you for your consideration. "I say to people today, 'You must be prepared if you believe in something. If you believe in something, you have to go for it. As individuals, we may not live to see the end." -- John Lewis "We have come a long way in America because of Martin Luther King, Jr. He led a disciplined, nonviolent revolution under the rule of law, a revolution of values, a revolution of ideas. We've come a long way, but we still have a distance to go before all of our citizens embrace the idea of a truly interracial democracy, what I like to call the Beloved Community, a nation at peace with itself." -- John Lewis Sincerely, Marilyn Karp BOTH HJ9 and HB130.

Voting is a constitutional right. Any law that restricts rather than expands our constitutional right & DUTY to vote is simply voter suppression. We must not repeal any expansions of absentee ballots. Do not decrease early voting. - extend the number of days allowed. Do not eliminate any ballot box locations- expand. We have no need to re-register absentee ballots every year. No excuse absentee voting is absolutely crucial. The state must provide easy and free access to voter ID if a photo is required. Since the USPS has slowed considerably, we must keep the 3 day rule for receiving ballots after election day. All local elections must be on Election Day (in Nov). Election Day should be a holiday. Until we do a complete overhaul of campaign finance & eliminate dark money/special interests there must be no restrictions on outreach, education & registration or from where a candidate may collect funds. Voter registration up to and including Election Day is absolutely crucial to ensure all citizens vote. I support all bills expanding our rights and abilities to make voting as easy as possible. I oppose all bills attempting to restrict any access to our ballot and our vote. The process is too important for the elected officials to be able to restrict us from our duty to be informed voters. Keep expanding our rights. Do not restrict, suppress or subvert them.