Public Comments for 01/24/2023 Privileges and Elections - Election Administration
HB1467 - Elections; voter identification containing photograph required, availability of absentee voting.
I am a college student at Virginia Tech. I love my school because I love the mountains and I love nature. However, I recognize that the disabled community is largely underserved at my university. Most buildings are barely accessible and poorly maintained. In 2020, I was happy to learn that there were absentee ballot drop off locations that would aid the disability community. The provision of this bill that removes these drop-off locations stands to hurt the disability community. I strongly urge this committee to kill this restrictive bill that would disenfranchise so many eligible voters.
These bills would require the presentation of a form of identification containing a photograph in order to vote. The ability to make community-driven progress on the environment is dependent on the ability to effectively petition elected representatives and to hold elected officials accountable for their votes and public stances on issues. The effectiveness of citizen-led advocacy to combat climate change, to fight for clean air and water and the preservation of Virginia's abundant natural resources is inextricably connected to the freedom, fairness, and transparency of our democratic institutions. Recent voting rights advances have resulted in the 2021 election observing a 20% increase in voter participation over four years ago, all while maintaining high standards of safety and security.
I oppose legislation reinstating the government ID requirement for Virginia voters. Since, 2017, I have volunteered helping people in Northern Virginia through a couple of non-profits get an ID/DL for housing, jobs, healthcare, banking and voting. Virginia needs to make the process easier to access and free. Most of those I have worked with or written about in organization newsletters, don't have the $45 to $100 to get the documents (birth records primarily, and for women often marriage or divorce court papers to show changes in name, and pay for the ID or license. We get referrals from homeless shelters, domestic abuse shelters, churches to help people get back on track and vote. Often our clients have nothing in the way of documents and we need to find W-2s, selective service records, a medical bill sent to them, a shelter letter to use to get the documents that gets you the ID. Each state has different rules on getting birth certificates. It's not a fast process. Even ones we think we can replace quickly online run into complexities. The sometimes client can't answer questions (like what documents did you provide for your last ID) or the DMV in changing systems lost the identifying info to ask the client and they cannot get a PIN to open the online account. So that means the client has to come into the office with a BC and do the process all over again. Every case is different and a research adventure. So no picture ID requirement for now unless you make DMV IDs (they should be ones they can used for more than voting) accessible and free. One group I volunteered with helped between 200-300 people a month in just the Alexandria area alone get IDs. So this is not an insignificant number of people who can be disenfranchised as well as blocked from vital services to survive. Many actions should be taken, like automatically issuing a walker's ID if someone's driver's license is revoked. From looking at the Heritage Foundation's database and various reports and audits, you appear to be worrying about a problem that happens rarely and the perpetrator usually is caught. The current VA election laws did not keep the Republican Party from winning the House and Governor's seat in 2021. And Democrats won the Governor's office and flipped the legislature with voter ID laws in place. Please work together and make IDs easier to get for your constituents' health, housing and economic needs.
The League of Women Voters of Virginia opposes HB 1467 for many of the reasons we oppose HB 1444. This bill, however, erects even more obstacles that would discourage and depress voting in Virginia. We strongly oppose each of these eight draconian measures to make it harder to vote. They also impose new burdens on local elections officials. On top of requiring a photo ID, no one except military and temporary overseas voters and their families would be allowed to use the same day registration provision that successfully allowed eligible Virginians to cast their ballots even though they had not been previously registered to vote. It would further restrict early in-person voting to four working days and would reduce the number of days when the registrar’s office is open for registration and voting. People voting early in-person would have to provide the last four digits of their social security numbers on application forms, on top of verifying themselves like people who vote at the polls. It would disallow Sunday voting, even if the local electoral board had chosen to allow it. This bill would get rid of drop boxes, which are already sunk costs and are secure. Even though voters have voted with and without a witness to sign their absentee ballot envelopes, and even though the witness requirement itself is known to be flawed, this bill would nullify any ballot lacking a witness signature. This bill is more restrictive than other bills in requiring that a mail ballot sent by any voter other than those military and overseas voters be postmarked the Saturday before the election and arrive by the close of polls. We urge you to reject this bill.
HB1444 - Against- Voter Suppression- Limits voter access HB1467 Against- Voter Suppression - Limits voter access HB1796 For - increase Opportunity HB1847 Against- Voter Suppression - Limits voter access HB2234 Against- Voter Suppression -Limits voter access
Vote “YES” for photo ID. Virginia law should require photo identification for someone to vote in person or by absentee ballot. Virginia law already requires that a photo ID, containing a photo of the voter alongside his name, be provided upon request. Photo ID is the most effective, inexpensive and reasonable method of ensuring that a voter is who he declares himself to be. Virtually everyone carries a photo ID; most voters drive to their polling location and have their drivers license available and ready to hand to the election officer. Photo ID is mandatory for many everyday activities, and is not considered the least bit problematic. In fact, consumers easily accept and support the necessity of identity confirmation, because it protects both consumers and businesses. Indeed, to purchase an item using a Macy’s charge card, one must present a photo ID. To access a safe deposit box at your bank, you must show a photo ID. To purchase liquor, you must provide photo ID, and on and on. Why should elections, our most important civic duty, be treated less seriously than the above transactions? Requiring photo ID would show respect for the voters of Virginia, by safeguarding their vote through enacting a simple and reasonable requirement. Photo ID has recently been upheld by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. In Lee v. Virginia State Board of Elections, 843 F.3d 592 (4th Cir. 2016), the Court held that not only did VA’s then photo ID requirement not impose an undue burden on minority voting, but there was no evidence of racial discriminatory intent in the law’s enactment. Please vote “yes” for photo ID.
HB1796 - Officers of election; eligibility of persons preregistered to vote.
I am strongly in favor of this bill. As a college student trying to get classes canceled on election day, I am fond of the times in high school when we had no school on election day. Now that 16- and 17-year-olds can pre-register to vote, this bill would expand their access to civic engagement and help them start positive voting habits. In addition, it just makes sense. Students' whose schools serve as polling locations can be engaged on election day and build excitement around democratic participation. I am strongly in favor of this bill and call for the committee to advance this bill.
The League of Women Voters of Virginia supports HB 1796. Sixteen year-olds who have taken the step of preregistering to vote should be encouraged to learn more about voting. What better way to become a better informed voter in the future than to see first-hand how elections work?
I oppose any legislation that does away with no-excuse absentee voting by mail or extremely shortens the early voting period. And I am so excited that we have same day registration as do 22 states and D.C. Even with the big glitches found by an outside party that DMV registrations and updates had not gone through for month dumping more work on registrars at the last minute, the same day voter registration went smoothly it's first time out. All these improvements welcome people to the pools in ways they can avoid lines and have flexibility around work and caretaker schedules. As my arthritis has made walking difficult for me, I have gone to mail-in voting. I often did early in-person voting when I could still walk and volunteer at the polls. I at first did not trust the mail because of the Postmaster's strange modifications so I drove to a lock box and the early-voting site worker came out and I slid my mail-in ballot into the tight locked satchel that no one can put their hand down inside. I like that they sent me the notice reminding me I was on the permanent list for mail-in ballots and how to change it if I wanted to. I did not receive my ballot in one election even though I saw the date they had sent it out when checking the Citizens Portal. When I returned the second one they sent me to a lock box (all are inside the early voting place so election workers from both parties watch it), I could see in the Portal the date it was accepted a day or two later and that the first one sent was not returned. There are adequate security measures to catch if they receive 2 from me and a bar code to track where it is when perhaps stuck at a post office. In the 2022 midterms, I used regular mail and not a drop box and I signed up for automatic notice when my ballot was received (so I got a call, a text and an email and did not have to keep going into the Citizens Portal). States like Utah and Oregon have done primarily mail-in voting for years with no problem. And we need to keep making sure our State Elections Office is on top of changes and new registrations getting to the registrars in a timely manner, especially important as the state upgrades the voting system the DMV uses over the next two years. I assume there are checks or audits of ERIC to be sure that Virginia and the other 32 states plus DC that share data on voter moves is promptly done and accurate. Mail-in voting is secure and voting in person should not be endurance test crunched into a short early voting period. And please ignore that 2000 Mules propaganda. There are many fact checks to read that pick it apart. https://www.reuters.com/article/factcheck-usa-mules-idUSL2N2XJ0OQ
I oppose legislation reinstating the government ID requirement for Virginia voters. Since, 2017, I have volunteered helping people in Northern Virginia through a couple of non-profits get an ID/DL for housing, jobs, healthcare, banking and voting. Virginia needs to make the process easier to access and free. Most of those I have worked with or written about in organization newsletters, don't have the $45 to $100 to get the documents (birth records primarily, and for women often marriage or divorce court papers to show changes in name, and pay for the ID or license. We get referrals from homeless shelters, domestic abuse shelters, churches to help people get back on track and vote. Often our clients have nothing in the way of documents and we need to find W-2s, selective service records, a medical bill sent to them, a shelter letter to use to get the documents that gets you the ID. Each state has different rules on getting birth certificates. It's not a fast process. Even ones we think we can replace quickly online run into complexities. The sometimes client can't answer questions (like what documents did you provide for your last ID) or the DMV in changing systems lost the identifying info to ask the client and they cannot get a PIN to open the online account. So that means the client has to come into the office with a BC and do the process all over again. Every case is different and a research adventure. So no picture ID requirement for now unless you make DMV IDs (they should be ones they can used for more than voting) accessible and free. One group I volunteered with helped between 200-300 people a month in just the Alexandria area alone get IDs. So this is not an insignificant number of people who can be disenfranchised as well as blocked from vital services to survive. Many actions should be taken, like automatically issuing a walker's ID if someone's driver's license is revoked. From looking at the Heritage Foundation's database and various reports and audits, you appear to be worrying about a problem that happens rarely and the perpetrator usually is caught. The current VA election laws did not keep the Republican Party from winning the House and Governor's seat in 2021. And Democrats won the Governor's office and flipped the legislature with voter ID laws in place. Please work together and make IDs easier to get for your constituents' health, housing and economic needs.
HB1444 - Against- Voter Suppression- Limits voter access HB1467 Against- Voter Suppression - Limits voter access HB1796 For - increase Opportunity HB1847 Against- Voter Suppression - Limits voter access HB2234 Against- Voter Suppression -Limits voter access
HB1847 - Elections; registration, absentee, and conduct of election.
Please support HB1847. It allows local Electoral Boards to improve the reliability of their election operations. It permits local Electoral Boards to audit their portion of any contested race and gives them the option to use the Batch Comparison Method for a Risk Limiting Audit. This method is more reliable and provides more confidence in the accuracy of Virginia elections. The Batch Comparison Method is a type of Risk Limiting Audit where a random selection of ballots (a "batch") are hand-tabulated and compared to the results from the voting machines. This method provides a more reliable way to verify the accuracy of voting machine results and gives voters more confidence in the integrity of elections. Several local Electoral Boards and Registrars have requested the State Board of Elections to permit them to conduct Batch Comparison Risk Limiting Audits, in order to verify the accuracy of their election operations, including machine accuracy and related chain of custody processes. HB1847 will give local Electoral Boards the choice of using this proven type of Risk Limiting Audit. The Carter Center, a widely-respected non-governmental organization devoted to improving election processes worldwide, gives high marks to the Batch Comparison method for Risk Limiting Audits: "Batch comparison, involving a recount of some predefined grouping of ballots, is a procedure more familiar to the public, being analogous to selecting a precinct or voting machine for audit. For these reasons of convenience and communication, as well as avoiding the necessity of finding individual ballots, batch comparison may well come to be preferred over ballot polling." (source: https://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/peace/democracy/risk-limiting-audits-guide.pdf ) VOTE YES FOR HB1847.
HB1847 serves to fix 2 problems with Virginia's current Risk Limiting Audit law. 1. HB1847 allows local Electoral Boards to audit their portion of any contested race on the ballot, for the election they conducted. Current law only allows local Electoral Boards to audit a contested race "under its jurisdiction" like a school board race. The local Electoral Board is not asking for a recount, but just asking for an audit of the portion of the election conducted by their election office. Other counties or election offices should not need to be involved. Current law requires the local Election Office to include every other county in their Congressional District if the local Electoral Board wants to audit a Congressional race they conducted and for a Senate or Presidential race the whole state would have to participate. Delegate LaRock's bill HB1847 allows the local Electoral Board to audit just their portion of any contested race on the ballot for the election they administered. HB 1847 amends 24.2-671.2(D) and Administrative Law 1VAC20-60-80 of the Code of Virginia. This can only be fixed legislatively. 2. HB1847 allows local Electoral Boards the option to use the Batch Comparison Method, for a Risk Limiting Audit. There are 3 types of accepted methods for Risk Limiting Audits. Current law does not specify the method to be used, but the State Board of Elections has only been allowing the Ballot Polling Method. With this current method, only one or a few ballots are specifically pulled and compared to the results of the whole election. This basically means one ballot proves the whole election true. However, HB1847 expands the current Risk Limiting Audit law to allow the option of using the Batch Comparison Method, which is more like a traditional audit and would verify the accuracy of voting machine results. With the Batch Comparison Method, ballots from a randomly selected Precinct (a "batch "of ballots) are hand tabulated and those results are compared to the corresponding voting machine tabulation tape results. The Batch Comparison Method gives local Electoral Boards a meaningful way to verify the accuracy of their voting machine results and gives Voters more confidence in the integrity and accuracy of VA Elections. Please support HB1847 to fix the current Risk Limiting Audit laws and 1. Allow local Electoral Boards to audit their portion of any contested race on the ballot, for the election they conducted and 2. Allow local Electoral Boards the option to use the meaningful Batch Comparison Method, for a Risk Limiting Audit.
I oppose HB1847. It limits voting access and makes it harder for people to vote. I think voting should be as easy as possible. Please oppose HB1847. Thank you for your service and time.
I am in favor of this bill; particularly the provision to allow the use of the batch comparison method when conducting a risk-limiting audit.
Please support all bills noted; HB1680, HB1793, HB1847, HB2266, HB2454 . HB1847 is especially helpful because it provides valuable options to localities to ensure accuracy of election results. This will help restore confidence in our elections.
I oppose HB 1847. I love the convenience of being able to vote early, but most importantly, this bill limits voting access. Please do not pass this bill along. Thank you for your service and time.
It is imperative that Virginia properly conducts risk limiting audits of the accuracy of our voting equipment. I endorse the Batch Comparison Method, whereby all of the ballots tabulated by a selected number of ballot scanners are counted by hand and compared to the tape printed by the scanner. Such an audit will restore confidence in our voting equipment. I have served as Chief Officer of Election in my community, and I believe this type of audit will help greatly to insure the integrity of the Commonwealth's elections. Thank you.
SUBJECT: HB 1444, HB 2234, HB 1847 Dear Virginia Legislators, I follow a legacy of family advocates who began fighting for their voting rights in 1866 in North Carolina, and I want you to know how deeply troubled I am about the following proposed Bills HB 1444, HB 2234, and HB 1847. I urge you to VOTE NO on the proposed restrictive House Bills. Please continue to protect the rights of ALL Virginia Citizens to ensure that our vote is counted and protected. Thanking You Respectfully, D. Tucker
As an election office in Chesterfield County I am writing in support of the Batch Comparison Method for Risk Limiting Audits. The Batch Comparison Method would allow comparing the tabulations ( hand count) of a batch of real ballots and compare it to the voting machine tabulations (machine tape results) for the same batch of ballots that voting machine tape gave the results for. This Is a great way to verify the accuracy of the voting machine tabulation results, which is important and should be done regularly. (To my knowledge verifying the accuracy of the voting machines is never done, except maybe if there is a recount). With the Batch Comparison Method for an RLA, a percentage of randomly selected batches is chosen to be audited. A batch of ballots could be the ballots from 1 or more randomly selected precincts from election day or a thumb drive and the corresponding ballots from Early Voting or from batches run on a high speed scanner. The types of batches would depend on how each locality batches their ballots. Then the randomly selected batches are compared ( hand count results) to the corresponding voting machine tape results for those same batches. The current Risk Limiting Audit method is worthless because it only checks a few ballots and does not reconcile to the voting machines. Thank you for your consideration and please support HB 1847.
This bill is awful. It stands in the way of progress. To repeal provisions of Virginia law that have helped so many Virginians cast a ballot is criminal. First of all, same day voter registration has helped people on my college campus. Freshman have usually just turned 18 and don't know much about the election process due to a disparity in civic education in Virginia. They miss deadlines and same-day voter registration has greatly helped them. In addition, pre-registration helps me as someone involved in voter registration drives and voter engagement organizations. We no longer have to focus on registering people and can focus on educating and mobilizing them. This bill would make life harder for everyone. Furthermore, as a college student I am on the permanent absentee voter list because I am never in my hometown on election day due to classes. Repealing the permanent absentee voter list would make my life so much harder. In addition, requiring a reason to vote absentee is ridiculous. Everyone has reasons to why they are busy and can't make it to the polls. The government should not tell citizens which reasons are good enough and which aren't. Furthermore, voter ID laws are empirically proven to disenfranchise minorities, low-income individuals, and the elderly. Surely the Virginia state legislature is fighting for every Virginian, and not just the ones with access to photo ID. Levels of voter fraud are so low and there is no evidence that photo ID laws do anything to alleviate it. In conclusion, instead of passing these asinine, outdated, and restrictive laws limiting access to the ballot, Virginia should aim to expand access to civic education all throughout the state by funding the Department of Elections and public schools.
The Virginia League of Conservation Voters urges you to oppose HB1847. This bill contains several provisions to limit the availability to vote absentee including limiting the number of days, and requiring a photo ID. The ability to make community-driven progress on the environment is dependent on the ability to effectively petition elected representatives and to hold elected officials accountable for their votes and public stances on issues. The effectiveness of citizen-led advocacy to combat climate change, to fight for clean air and water and the preservation of Virginia's abundant natural resources is inextricably connected to the freedom, fairness, and transparency of our democratic institutions. Recent voting rights advances have resulted in the 2021 election observing a 20% increase in voter participation over four years ago, all while maintaining high standards of safety and security.
I oppose any legislation that does away with no-excuse absentee voting by mail or extremely shortens the early voting period. And I am so excited that we have same day registration as do 22 states and D.C. Even with the big glitches found by an outside party that DMV registrations and updates had not gone through for month dumping more work on registrars at the last minute, the same day voter registration went smoothly it's first time out. All these improvements welcome people to the pools in ways they can avoid lines and have flexibility around work and caretaker schedules. As my arthritis has made walking difficult for me, I have gone to mail-in voting. I often did early in-person voting when I could still walk and volunteer at the polls. I at first did not trust the mail because of the Postmaster's strange modifications so I drove to a lock box and the early-voting site worker came out and I slid my mail-in ballot into the tight locked satchel that no one can put their hand down inside. I like that they sent me the notice reminding me I was on the permanent list for mail-in ballots and how to change it if I wanted to. I did not receive my ballot in one election even though I saw the date they had sent it out when checking the Citizens Portal. When I returned the second one they sent me to a lock box (all are inside the early voting place so election workers from both parties watch it), I could see in the Portal the date it was accepted a day or two later and that the first one sent was not returned. There are adequate security measures to catch if they receive 2 from me and a bar code to track where it is when perhaps stuck at a post office. In the 2022 midterms, I used regular mail and not a drop box and I signed up for automatic notice when my ballot was received (so I got a call, a text and an email and did not have to keep going into the Citizens Portal). States like Utah and Oregon have done primarily mail-in voting for years with no problem. And we need to keep making sure our State Elections Office is on top of changes and new registrations getting to the registrars in a timely manner, especially important as the state upgrades the voting system the DMV uses over the next two years. I assume there are checks or audits of ERIC to be sure that Virginia and the other 32 states plus DC that share data on voter moves is promptly done and accurate. Mail-in voting is secure and voting in person should not be endurance test crunched into a short early voting period. And please ignore that 2000 Mules propaganda. There are many fact checks to read that pick it apart. https://www.reuters.com/article/factcheck-usa-mules-idUSL2N2XJ0OQ
The League of Women Voters strongly opposes HB 1847. This bill would try to revert to a time when absentee voting was considered an exception to voting in person on election. This bill would reduce the time allowed for early voting to 8 working days. It would repeal same day registration. The bill revives the requirement for an excuse, with a list of 15 options, such that a voter who doesn’t fit into one of the categories either cannot vote absentee in person or is compelled to lie. Voters could not deposit their completed and witnessed mail ballots at fully-surveilled and secure drop off locations but instead could only mail their ballots through the US Postal Service, which many people fear is unreliable. Only military and temporarily overseas citizens and their families would be permitted 45 days of early voting and same day registration. Virginia has become an early voting state. It gives Virginians a voice, the ability to participate. Under this bill, all voters would have to present a photo ID, which is simply a barrier for some voters. The bill adds more restrictions on provisional voting that could disenfranchise legitimate voters and burden elections officers. The bill would do away with pre-registration for sixteen year-olds, which does not give anyone a special right but is merely a convenience to encourage civic engagement in younger Virginians. The bill would go back to permitting town elections in May, after elections officials have already transitioned those elections to November, when more voters turn out. This bill goes backward when Virginia is moving forward. We urge you to vote no on HB 1847.
House Bills 1444, 1847, 2234 Price, Newport News I have been voting since I was 18 years old. I want everyone to have the same opportunity. Please do not prohibit the ability for citizens to vote. We need as many ways to enhance voter participation as possible. Please vote No on the above bills.
HB 1444, HB 1847, & HB 2234 I'm voting no to these bills. The reason I'm disagreeing with these bills is because it limits absentee voting requirements in which it makes it harder to vote. It removes same-day registration and per-registration for the younger generation. It limits the absentee voting time. It restricts same-day registration. It's a privilege to vote. The right vote makes a lot of difference.
HB1444 - Against- Voter Suppression- Limits voter access HB1467 Against- Voter Suppression - Limits voter access HB1796 For - increase Opportunity HB1847 Against- Voter Suppression - Limits voter access HB2234 Against- Voter Suppression -Limits voter access
Re: HB 1444, 1847, 2234 A major concern of mine has always been how relatively few people vote in our elections. Now, I am confronted with elected officials who want to diminish that number even more in a cynical attempt to have their way as opposed to the people's way. We need to encourage more people to vote. We need to stop trying to put obstacles in the way of people voting. I am ashamed for anyone who supports these anti-voting measures as I would be to try to prevent anyone from voting. I'm 83 years old and have missed only one election in my life as a citizen and voter. If there are real problems in our system, we need to address them. These bills are being put forward to thwart the rights of my fellow citizens. Do not vote for them. Thank you. Eileen Engel, 357 Algonquin Road, Hampton, VA 23661
Please vote YES on HB 1847. All the provisions in this bill are excellent, but these comments will focus on repealing the permanent absentee ballot (AB) list. Permanent AB voter rolls create confusion and allow for misappropriation of ballots. Confusion arises because many voters are not aware they are on a permanent AB list. A voter does not ask to be on the list; a voter is automatically put on the list after requesting an absentee ballot one time. To assume the voter wants to be on a permanent AB list, based on one AB request is presumptuous. Many voters do not want to be on the list. Misappropriation of ballots occurs when absentee ballots are automatically sent out, without request by the voter, to addresses no longer associated with a voter. Unfortunately, the Virginia State Board of Elections, through ELECT, very infrequently updates voter’s addresses through the NCOA system and confirmation. Because of poor administration and updating, absentee ballots are sent to outdated addresses, and can be voted on by anyone. This is a huge vulnerability in Virginia’s election system. The permanent absentee ballot list should be repealed.
HB2234 - Voter registration; registering in person up to and including the day of the election.
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SUBJECT: HB 1444, HB 2234, HB 1847 Dear Virginia Legislators, I follow a legacy of family advocates who began fighting for their voting rights in 1866 in North Carolina, and I want you to know how deeply troubled I am about the following proposed Bills HB 1444, HB 2234, and HB 1847. I urge you to VOTE NO on the proposed restrictive House Bills. Please continue to protect the rights of ALL Virginia Citizens to ensure that our vote is counted and protected. Thanking You Respectfully, D. Tucker
I OPPOSE 1947. I SUPPORT, however, 1948. I OPPOSE 1444 and 2234.
To repeal same-day voter registration just a year after it was implemented will put Virginia in a weak position. Virginians require stability - especially in election law. It is up to the General Assembly to honor that fact. Same-day voter registration helps people on my college campus that got distracted by classes, work, professional development that forgot to register to vote. In addition, first-year college students are often uninformed about the election process - surely due to poor civic education in Virginia. This committee should kill this bill. It is would revert the progress that Virginia has made. Virginia has a history leading the country in progressive election reform. To revert to more restrictive ways would be to disenfranchise certain groups of voters. This would be a message from the government that some voters matter more than others. This goes against the idea of "one person, one vote" that this country was founded on.
The Virginia League of Conservation Voters urges you to oppose HB2234. This bill limits same-day registration to active-duty military or national guard members. The ability to make community-driven progress on the environment is dependent on the ability to effectively petition elected representatives and to hold elected officials accountable for their votes and public stances on issues. The effectiveness of citizen-led advocacy to combat climate change, to fight for clean air and water and the preservation of Virginia's abundant natural resources is inextricably connected to the freedom, fairness, and transparency of our democratic institutions. Recent voting rights advances have resulted in the 2021 election observing a 20% increase in voter participation over four years ago, all while maintaining high standards of safety and security.
The Virginia League of Conservation Voters urges you to oppose HB2234. This bill limits same-day registration to active-duty military or national guard members. The ability to make community-driven progress on the environment is dependent on the ability to effectively petition elected representatives and to hold elected officials accountable for their votes and public stances on issues. The effectiveness of citizen-led advocacy to combat climate change, to fight for clean air and water and the preservation of Virginia's abundant natural resources is inextricably connected to the freedom, fairness, and transparency of our democratic institutions. Recent voting rights advances have resulted in the 2021 election observing a 20% increase in voter participation over four years ago, all while maintaining high standards of safety and security.
I oppose any legislation that does away with no-excuse absentee voting by mail or extremely shortens the early voting period. And I am so excited that we have same day registration as do 22 states and D.C. Even with the big glitches found by an outside party that DMV registrations and updates had not gone through for month dumping more work on registrars at the last minute, the same day voter registration went smoothly it's first time out. All these improvements welcome people to the pools in ways they can avoid lines and have flexibility around work and caretaker schedules. As my arthritis has made walking difficult for me, I have gone to mail-in voting. I often did early in-person voting when I could still walk and volunteer at the polls. I at first did not trust the mail because of the Postmaster's strange modifications so I drove to a lock box and the early-voting site worker came out and I slid my mail-in ballot into the tight locked satchel that no one can put their hand down inside. I like that they sent me the notice reminding me I was on the permanent list for mail-in ballots and how to change it if I wanted to. I did not receive my ballot in one election even though I saw the date they had sent it out when checking the Citizens Portal. When I returned the second one they sent me to a lock box (all are inside the early voting place so election workers from both parties watch it), I could see in the Portal the date it was accepted a day or two later and that the first one sent was not returned. There are adequate security measures to catch if they receive 2 from me and a bar code to track where it is when perhaps stuck at a post office. In the 2022 midterms, I used regular mail and not a drop box and I signed up for automatic notice when my ballot was received (so I got a call, a text and an email and did not have to keep going into the Citizens Portal). States like Utah and Oregon have done primarily mail-in voting for years with no problem. And we need to keep making sure our State Elections Office is on top of changes and new registrations getting to the registrars in a timely manner, especially important as the state upgrades the voting system the DMV uses over the next two years. I assume there are checks or audits of ERIC to be sure that Virginia and the other 32 states plus DC that share data on voter moves is promptly done and accurate. Mail-in voting is secure and voting in person should not be endurance test crunched into a short early voting period. And please ignore that 2000 Mules propaganda. There are many fact checks to read that pick it apart. https://www.reuters.com/article/factcheck-usa-mules-idUSL2N2XJ0OQ
We urge you to vote no on HB 2234. Same day registration was implemented for the 2022 general election. Thousands of eligible voters were able to register to vote and cast their ballots without incident. Because the newly registered voters cast their ballots provisionally, the registrars were able to verify the voters, weeding out any who were, for example, in the wrong precinct. Same day registration is an overall success and should not be denied.
House Bills 1444, 1847, 2234 Price, Newport News I have been voting since I was 18 years old. I want everyone to have the same opportunity. Please do not prohibit the ability for citizens to vote. We need as many ways to enhance voter participation as possible. Please vote No on the above bills.
HB 1444, HB 1847, & HB 2234 I'm voting no to these bills. The reason I'm disagreeing with these bills is because it limits absentee voting requirements in which it makes it harder to vote. It removes same-day registration and per-registration for the younger generation. It limits the absentee voting time. It restricts same-day registration. It's a privilege to vote. The right vote makes a lot of difference.
HB1444 - Against- Voter Suppression- Limits voter access HB1467 Against- Voter Suppression - Limits voter access HB1796 For - increase Opportunity HB1847 Against- Voter Suppression - Limits voter access HB2234 Against- Voter Suppression -Limits voter access
Re: HB 1444, 1847, 2234 A major concern of mine has always been how relatively few people vote in our elections. Now, I am confronted with elected officials who want to diminish that number even more in a cynical attempt to have their way as opposed to the people's way. We need to encourage more people to vote. We need to stop trying to put obstacles in the way of people voting. I am ashamed for anyone who supports these anti-voting measures as I would be to try to prevent anyone from voting. I'm 83 years old and have missed only one election in my life as a citizen and voter. If there are real problems in our system, we need to address them. These bills are being put forward to thwart the rights of my fellow citizens. Do not vote for them. Thank you. Eileen Engel, 357 Algonquin Road, Hampton, VA 23661
Please vote YES on HB 2234, repealing same day registration, with three exceptions. Election Day should be reserved for voting. If someone wants to register to vote, they can do so 364 days a year, including weekends and holidays. That is ample time. Election Day is inherently a busy and chaotic 24-hour period for all who are responsible for an election’s administration. Why add to those burdens? HB 2234 restores to the Registrar the necessary time to properly verify that a registrant is eligible to vote, BEFORE they vote, not after. The two distinct activities of registering and voting must not be conflated. Repealing same day registration (with 3 exceptions) would also eliminate the extra work placed on registrars of having to consider additional provisional ballots, at a time they are preparing final paperwork for submission to the SBE.
HB1444 - Elections; voter identification containing a photograph required, availability of absentee voting.
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SUBJECT: HB 1444, HB 2234, HB 1847 Dear Virginia Legislators, I follow a legacy of family advocates who began fighting for their voting rights in 1866 in North Carolina, and I want you to know how deeply troubled I am about the following proposed Bills HB 1444, HB 2234, and HB 1847. I urge you to VOTE NO on the proposed restrictive House Bills. Please continue to protect the rights of ALL Virginia Citizens to ensure that our vote is counted and protected. Thanking You Respectfully, D. Tucker
I OPPOSE 1947. I SUPPORT, however, 1948. I OPPOSE 1444 and 2234.
I am a student at Virginia Tech and have lived in Virginia my whole life. I am proud to be a Virginian because Virginia has led the south and the country in progress. This bill stands to repeal this progress by removing the permanent absentee voter list. As a college student, this permanent absentee voter list helps me since I am usually never in my hometown on election day. This bill would specifically disenfranchise young voters - a group of voters who have power and are already underrepresented. I strongly urge this committee to kill this bill.
These bills would require the presentation of a form of identification containing a photograph in order to vote. The ability to make community-driven progress on the environment is dependent on the ability to effectively petition elected representatives and to hold elected officials accountable for their votes and public stances on issues. The effectiveness of citizen-led advocacy to combat climate change, to fight for clean air and water and the preservation of Virginia's abundant natural resources is inextricably connected to the freedom, fairness, and transparency of our democratic institutions. Recent voting rights advances have resulted in the 2021 election observing a 20% increase in voter participation over four years ago, all while maintaining high standards of safety and security.
The League of Women Voters opposes HB 1444. This bill would suppress voting in four ways. It restricts in-person voter verification options to an ID with a photo. It cuts in-person early voting to only five working days, even though the hours could be extended. It imposes a deadline for absentee ballot arrival to a time beyond the voters’ control. And it unduly compresses and complicates the processing and counting of absentee ballots. First, it would require a photo ID, which was required in Virginia only between 2014 and 2020, just six years in the Commonwealth’s long history. Many older voters and those who do not drive lack a photo ID and getting one, even a free one, would create a hurdle for them. Second, the bill restricts early in-person voting to seven days, which is really only five working days, from the currently permitted 45 days. Early voting is popular with voters who prefer to vote in person and they rely on it, especially those who work long hours or multiple jobs, commute long distances, and have family demands. [The bill allows for longer hours, which could increase the likelihood of poll worker error.] Third, only military and overseas voters, and their spouses and dependents would have their ballots counted if those ballots arrive after the close of the polls. Any other voter would have their ballot rejected if it arrives after the close of polls, no matter how far in advance the voter sent the ballot. This makes voters vulnerable to possible postal service delays. Fourth, the bill reduces the time for preprocessing absentee ballots and requires that only officers of elections handle absentee ballots and do so in pairs, one from each major political party. This would complicate the smooth functioning of the registrar’s office and involve more people. Currently, nonpartisan elections office staff, all of whom swear an oath, handle the returned ballots. This bill would inject needless partisanship, tension, and compress the time for managing and counting absentee ballots. Apparently, the intent of this bill is to discourage voter fraud. There is no history or evidence of voter fraud that affects the outcome of elections in Virginia. All HB 1444 accomplishes is to make it harder to run an election and, for many older, non-driving, and overburdened Virginians, makes it harder to vote. We urge you to oppose this bill.
House Bills 1444, 1847, 2234 Price, Newport News I have been voting since I was 18 years old. I want everyone to have the same opportunity. Please do not prohibit the ability for citizens to vote. We need as many ways to enhance voter participation as possible. Please vote No on the above bills.
HB 1444, HB 1847, & HB 2234 I'm voting no to these bills. The reason I'm disagreeing with these bills is because it limits absentee voting requirements in which it makes it harder to vote. It removes same-day registration and per-registration for the younger generation. It limits the absentee voting time. It restricts same-day registration. It's a privilege to vote. The right vote makes a lot of difference.
HB1444 - Against- Voter Suppression- Limits voter access HB1467 Against- Voter Suppression - Limits voter access HB1796 For - increase Opportunity HB1847 Against- Voter Suppression - Limits voter access HB2234 Against- Voter Suppression -Limits voter access
Re: HB 1444, 1847, 2234 A major concern of mine has always been how relatively few people vote in our elections. Now, I am confronted with elected officials who want to diminish that number even more in a cynical attempt to have their way as opposed to the people's way. We need to encourage more people to vote. We need to stop trying to put obstacles in the way of people voting. I am ashamed for anyone who supports these anti-voting measures as I would be to try to prevent anyone from voting. I'm 83 years old and have missed only one election in my life as a citizen and voter. If there are real problems in our system, we need to address them. These bills are being put forward to thwart the rights of my fellow citizens. Do not vote for them. Thank you. Eileen Engel, 357 Algonquin Road, Hampton, VA 23661
Virginia law should require photo identification for someone to vote in person or by absentee ballot. Virginia law already requires that a photo ID, containing a photo of the voter alongside his name, must be provided upon request. Photo ID is the most effective, inexpensive and reasonable method of ensuring that a voter is who he declares himself to be. Virtually everyone carries a photo ID; most voters drive to their polling location and have their driver’s license available and ready to hand to the election officer. Photo ID is mandatory for many everyday transactions, and is not considered the least bit problematic or intrusive. In fact, consumers easily accept and support the necessity of identity confirmation, because it protects consumers as well as businesses. Indeed, to purchase an item using a Macy’s charge card, one must present his drivers license. To access a safety deposit box at a bank, one must produce photo ID verification. To buy liquor, one must show photo ID, and on and on, Requiring photo ID would show respect for the voters of Virginia, who take their civic duty of engaging in the election process seriously. They are relying on the General Assembly to safeguard their vote by imposing simple and reasonable requirements such as photo ID. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld photo ID, in Lee v. Virginia State Board of Elections, 843 F.3d 592 (4th Cir. 2016). The Court held that not only did Virginia’s then photo ID requirement not impose an undue burden on minority voting, but there was no evidence of racial discriminatory intent in the law’s enactment.