Bill > HB493

This bill requires the Department of Elections to provide a secure online tool for voters with visual impairments, print disabilities, or those who are "covered voters" (a term defined in the bill related to specific circumstances like overseas military personnel) to receive, mark, and return their absentee ballots electronically through the internet, replacing older assistive technologies. This new system will allow these voters to complete all necessary forms and provide proof of identity online, and it includes a specific electronic oath that voters must affirm, subject to felony penalties for false statements, which will prevent their ballots from being challenged. The bill also updates existing procedures for absentee ballot applications and the "Statement of Voter" to accommodate this electronic process, ensuring that ballots marked using this tool are not rejected for minor technical reasons and that voters can use their unique voter registration identifier instead of the last four digits of their Social Security number if they have never been issued one.

Government Affairs

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB493