dLCV educates policy makers about the potential impact of legislative proposals, and we have been very busy so far. With only ten days of the session behind us, the General Assembly has already made significant progress in improving the ability for Virginians with disabilities to have full access to the right to vote.
HB 1888 was approved by the House and now moves to the Senate for consideration. The bill, from Delegate VanValkenberg and many others, makes various reforms to absentee voting processes and procedures. The most significant reform for voters with disabilities is a requirement that a ballot marking tool with screen reader assistive technology must be available for all absentee voters with a print disability.
A similar Senate bill, SB 1331, from Senator Reeves, would require a ballot marking tool for those who use screen readers. That bill will be heard in committee tomorrow afternoon.
Delegate Price’s HB 1921 has been read twice in the House; we expect final passage of the bill later today. The bill assures that voters who wish to vote curbside may so without having to enter the building. Polling places will be required to post information about how to request a curbside ballot.
In SB 1907, from Senator Favola, the requirement for a signature to be witnessed on an absentee ballot will be removed. This bill has been read twice in the Senate. We expect passage later today.
Please continue to check back here for regular updates on developments in the legislature and let us know of any legislative proposals or budget issues that you think we should be following. Contact us at info@dlcv.org or by calling 1-800-552-3962 or 804-225-2042