summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
02/09/2026
02/09/2026
Crossed Over
02/03/2026
02/03/2026
Passed
Dead
03/14/2026
03/14/2026
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Elections; absentee voting; counting ballots prior to the close of polls. Allows officers of election at a central absentee precinct to begin ascertaining and recording the number of votes cast by absentee ballots at any time after noon on the day of the election. Under current law, absentee ballots that are counted by hand may be tallied, but not counted, at any time after noon on the day of the election, and no ballot totals for any absentee ballots shall be ascertained until after polls close. The bill also clarifies that vote totals for absentee ballots cast in person on voting systems cannot be determined until the day of the election. The bill also requires that general registrars begin processing absentee ballots on the fourteenth day prior to the day of the election. Under current law such processing is not required until the seventh day prior to the day of the election.
AI Summary
This bill allows election officials at a central absentee voter precinct to begin counting and recording absentee ballots at any time after 5:00 p.m. on election day, rather than waiting until after the polls close, though vote totals will not be transmitted until after the polls close. It also requires general registrars to start processing absentee ballots fourteen days before an election, instead of the current seven days, and clarifies that vote totals for absentee ballots cast in person on voting systems cannot be determined until election day.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Continued to next session in Privileges and Elections (Voice Vote) (on 02/27/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB350 |
| Privileges and Elections Amendment | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB350/text/SB350AHC1 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB350) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1123176.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB350/text/SB350S1 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB350) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1101260.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB350/text/SB350 |
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