HB 1574 Virginia House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Absentee voting; absentee voting in person; available beginning 10 days prior to primary election.

Summary

Absentee voting; absentee voting in person; available beginning 10 days prior to primary election. Limits the availability of absentee voting in person in a primary election to 10 days before the election. Under current law, absentee voting in person is available beginning 45 days prior to any election, including primary elections.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Dec 2024

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Dec 30, 2024 Last action Feb 5, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → HPE Sub: Election Administration Substitute · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended from its original introduction to a substitute version that significantly expanded its scope. The original bill focused only on absentee voting in person, while the substitute now covers the broader application process for absentee ballots. Key changes include shifting the availability window for primary elections from 29 days to 10 days prior, adding provisions for electronic applications, and modifying office hours requirements.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from solely regulating in-person absentee voting to covering the entire absentee ballot application process, including mail, electronic, and federal postcard applications.

TIMELINE

Changed the availability window for in-person absentee voting in primary elections from 29 days prior to 10 days prior to the election.

REQUIREMENT

Added provisions for electronic absentee ballot applications through the Internet, previously not addressed in the original bill.

Added requirements for federal postcard applications for covered voters, expanding application methods beyond in-person and mail.

Modified general registrar office hours to require a minimum of eight hours between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on the first and second Saturday before elections.

Added requirement for applicants to provide the last four digits of their social security number on applications, with an exception for those completing applications in person.

ELIGIBILITY

Added specific provisions for covered voters (military and overseas voters) with separate application rules and acceptance timelines.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jan 13, 2025

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (5-Y 3-N)

lower

Jan 12, 2025

Committee

Assigned PE sub: Election Administration

lower

Dec 30, 2024

Committee

Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections

lower

1 primary · 9 co-sponsors