VA House Republicans Continue Their Efforts to Reverse Voting Rights Progress

From Progress Virginia:

House Republicans Continue Their Efforts to Reverse Voting Rights Progress

Richmond, Virginia—This morning in the House of Delegates Privileges and Elections subcommittee #1, Republican Delegates voted in favor of voter suppression tactics designed to make it harder for people in our community to vote. While Democrats held a majority in the House of Delegates, they passed legislation that made accessing the ballot box easy for everyone. The result of those new voting rights laws moved Virginia from 49th to 12th in the country for voting rights. It seems now Republicans want to send us backwards once again.

“It’s disappointing that Republican members of the Privileges and Elections Subcommittee #1 voted to pass voter suppression bills today. No matter our race, background, or zip code, most of us believe that for democracy to work for all of us, it must include all of us,” LaTwyla Mathias, Executive Director at Progress Virginia, said. “We’re hopeful that members of the Senate will block these barely disguised voter suppression tactics , and continue to expand our democracy so that every eligible voter who wants to, can make their voice heard in our elections.”

Votes:

Bills we oppose:

HB 185 repeals same-day voter registration currently slated to take effect this year.

• The House Committee voted to pass this bill.
• This bill will move forward to be voted on again
• These bills prohibit any person who is qualified to register to vote from registering on the same day of the election.
• Same-day voter registration ensures that everyone who wants to vote and is qualified to vote is able to do so.

HB 46 sponsored by Republican Lee Ware

• • The House Committee voted to pass this bill with a substitute.
  • This bill will move forward to be voted on again
  • This bill requires a photo ID before someone can vote AND repeals the absentee voter list