Voter identification; repeal of photo identification requirements, signed statement in lieu of form.
Summary
Voter identification; repeal of photo identification requirements; additional forms of identification accepted; signed statement in lieu of required form of identification; penalty. Removes the requirement that voters show a form of identification containing a photograph in order to be allowed to vote. The bill requires a voter to show either his voter registration confirmation documents; his valid Virginia driver's license, his valid United States passport, or any other identification issued by the Commonwealth, one of its political subdivisions, or the United States; any valid student identification card issued by any institution of higher education located in the Commonwealth or any private school located in the Commonwealth; any valid student identification card issued by any institution of higher education located in any other state or territory of the United States; any valid employee identification card containing a photograph of the voter and issued by an employer of the voter in the ordinary course of the employer's business; or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter. The bill also provides that the expiration date on a Virginia driver's license is not considered when determining the validity of a driver's license offered for voter identification purposes. A voter who does not show one of the required forms of identification when offering to vote is required to sign a statement that he is the named registered voter he claims to be in order to be permitted to cast a ballot. Such statement is signed subject to felony penalties for making false statements, punishable as a Class 5 felony. A voter who does not show one of the required forms of identification and does not complete or sign the statement shall be offered a provisional ballot according to the provisions of current law. The bill adds language regarding identification requirements for certain voters pursuant to the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002. The bill incorporates SB 113 and SB 123.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2019
Committee Review
Mar 2020
Senate Passage
Feb 2020
House of Delegates Passage
Feb 2020
Signed into Law
Apr 2020
Introduced Nov 21, 2019
Signed Apr 10, 2020
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
52
Key actions
14
Committee
12
Apr 10, 2020
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 1065 (effective 7/1/20)
executive
Mar 7, 2020
Upper · Passed
Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 19-N)
upper
Mar 5, 2020
Lower · Passed
Conference report agreed to by House (54-Y 44-N)
lower
Mar 5, 2020
Legislature · Passed
Amended by conference committee
legislature
Mar 2, 2020
Lower · Passed
House requested conference committee
lower
Feb 26, 2020
Lower · Passed
Passed House with substitute (56-Y 44-N)
lower
Feb 26, 2020
Lower · Passed
Engrossed by House - committee substitute SB65H1
lower
Feb 26, 2020
Lower · Passed
Committee substitute agreed to 20108457D-H1
lower
Feb 21, 2020
Lower · Passed
Reported from Privileges and Elections with substitute (12-Y 8-N)
lower
Feb 18, 2020
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (3-Y 2-N)
lower
Feb 14, 2020
Committee
Assigned P & E sub: Elections
lower
Feb 13, 2020
Committee
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
lower
Feb 4, 2020
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (21-Y 19-N)
upper
Feb 4, 2020
Upper · Passed
Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N)
upper
Jan 31, 2020
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day
upper
Jan 28, 2020
Upper · Passed
Reported from Privileges and Elections with substitute (9-Y 6-N)
upper
Nov 21, 2019
Committee
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
upper
Nov 21, 2019
Introduced
Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/08/20 20101202D
upper
1 primary · 6 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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