Virginia House GOP Continues Attack on Voting Rights

Richmond, VA – Today, Virginia House Republicans passed additional legislation that would dramatically limit Virginians’ access to the ballot box and undermine the commonwealth’s democracy. Among the legislation passed today are bills to:

• Reduce in-person absentee voting from 45 days to 14 days (HB 39);
• Limit the period during which mail-in absentee ballots can be received (HB 956), and;
• Reinstate archaic photo-ID requirements (HB 1090).

This adds to the growing list of the Republican House majority’s anti-democracy efforts this session to:

• Repeal same-day voter registration (HB 185);
• Permit the personal use of campaign funds (HB 973);
• Deny curbside voting for Virginians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (HB 974), and;
• Attempt to silence the voices of voters on ballot initiatives that would enshrine the restoration of voting rights in the Constitution of Virginia and remove the now-defunct marriage equality ban (HJ28 & HJ 57).

“Virginia House Republicans are attempting to shred voting rights in the commonwealth. After more than a year of bolstering election misinformation, the House GOP is following Donald Trump’s marching orders to undermine the foundations of our democracy,” said House Democratic Leader Eileen Filler-Corn. “Over the past two years, Virginia Democrats elevated the commonwealth from 49^th in the nation to the 12th ranked state for ease of voting access. Republican efforts to quiet the voices of voters is incredibly concerning — Virginians deserve to be heard at the ballot box.”

Additionally, House Democrats introduced a resolution aimed at reviving two ballot initiatives that would give Virginians an opportunity to make their voices heard and vote on marriage equality and the restoration of voting rights.