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VA HB968

VA HB968
Election results; counting machine-readable ballots, processing absentee ballots.

summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
02/24/2026
Crossed Over
03/04/2026
Passed
04/13/2026
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
04/13/2026

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Regular Session

Bill Summary

Election results; counting machine-readable ballots; processing absentee ballots. Requires ballot scanner machines to be used to count machine-readable ballots and prohibits such ballots from being counted by hand unless (i) the ballot scanner machine is inoperative, (ii) there is no other available scanner, and (iii) it would be unreasonable to wait for (a) the inoperative ballot scanner to be made operative or (b) an operative ballot scanner machine to be delivered to the polling place rather than hand counting the ballots. "Ballot scanner machine" and "machine-readable ballot" are defined terms under current law. The bill also provides that if, in the processing and counting of provisional and absentee ballots, any machine-readable ballot is damaged or defective, a team of election officials representing both parties shall make a true duplicate copy of such damaged ballot as a substitute for such damaged ballot. This bill has a delayed effective date of September 1, 2026.

AI Summary

This bill, effective September 1, 2026, mandates that machine-readable ballots, which are ballots designed to be read by a machine, must be counted using ballot scanner machines. Hand counting of these ballots is only permitted in specific, limited circumstances: if the scanner machine is broken, no other scanner is available, and it's impractical to repair the broken machine or wait for a replacement. Additionally, if a machine-readable ballot is damaged or defective during the processing of provisional or absentee ballots, preventing it from being counted by electronic voting systems, a team of election officials from both major political parties will create an exact duplicate copy to replace the damaged ballot, clearly labeling it as a duplicate and noting its original identifier.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0718) (on 04/13/2026)

bill text

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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB968
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB968/text/CHAP0718
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB968) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1206412.PDF
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB968/text/HB968ER
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB968) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1184780.PDF
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB968/text/HB968S1
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB968/text/HB968SC1
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB968) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1132065.PDF
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB968/text/HB968HC1
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB968/text/HB968H1
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB968) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1097436.PDF
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB968/text/HB968
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