Bill > HB835

This bill aims to enhance the privacy of candidates and elected officials in Virginia by modifying election laws. It prohibits election officials from releasing a candidate's address, phone number, or email address from their filings in response to requests made under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, a law that generally allows public access to government records. Instead, candidates can opt to use a unique identifier assigned to them in the voter registration system in place of their home address on candidate filings. The bill also prevents the State Board of Elections from requiring candidates to disclose their address or unique identifier on petitions before they are submitted. Furthermore, it expands the list of individuals, including elected officials, who can provide a post office box address instead of their residential street address on public lists of registered voters. Finally, when a winner of an election receives their certificate of election, it will now be accompanied by a notice informing them they qualify for protected voter status and providing instructions on how to update their voter registration to obtain this status, which is designed to safeguard personal information.

Government Affairs

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB835