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Bill > HB41


VA HB41

VA HB41
Elections; procedures for removal of electoral board members and general registrars.


summary

Introduced
12/23/2025
In Committee
02/24/2026
Crossed Over
03/02/2026
Passed
04/22/2026
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
04/22/2026

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Regular Session

Bill Summary

Elections; administration; procedures for removal of electoral board members and general registrars. Allows the State Board of Elections to remove any member of an electoral board or general registrar by a recorded two-thirds majority vote of all its members after a public hearing on related matters. The bill provides that any such removal or any removal proceedings instituted against an electoral board member or general registrar by the State Board shall be based on neglect of a clear ministerial duty of the office, misuse of the office, or incompetence in the performance of the duties of the office, or an unambiguous indication of a future refusal or failure to carry out the duties of the office where such refusal or failure is likely to have a material adverse effect upon the conduct of the office. Such decision shall be final and not subject to appeal. The bill also allows an electoral board to remove a general registrar by a unanimous vote of all its members after a public hearing on related matters. A registrar who is so removed may file an appeal to the State Board. The bill provides that any such removal or any removal proceedings instituted against a general registrar by the electoral board shall be based on the same standards as required for removals by the State Board.

AI Summary

This bill modifies procedures for removing members of electoral boards and general registrars, who are officials responsible for administering elections at the local level. The State Board of Elections, a state-level body overseeing election administration, will gain the authority to remove any electoral board member or general registrar by a two-thirds majority vote after a public hearing. Such removals must be based on specific grounds, including neglecting a clear duty, misusing the office, incompetence, or a clear indication of future refusal to perform duties that would negatively impact elections. Decisions by the State Board in these matters will be final and not subject to appeal, though they can be reviewed under the Administrative Process Act. Additionally, local electoral boards will be able to remove a general registrar by a unanimous vote after a public hearing, with the registrar having the right to appeal this decision to the State Board. The grounds for removal by local electoral boards will be the same as those for the State Board.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1032) (on 04/22/2026)

bill text


bill summary

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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB41
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB41/text/CHAP1032
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB41/text/HB41ER2
Governor's Recommendation HB41 https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB41/text/HB41G
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB41) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1198222.PDF
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB41/text/HB41ER
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB41) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1098997.PDF
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB41/text/HB41
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