Bill > SB658

This bill directs the Secretary of Administration to establish a work group to study the implementation of "back-end, opt-out automatic voter registration" (AVR) in Virginia. Back-end, opt-out AVR means that eligible citizens would be automatically registered to vote when they interact with certain government agencies, like the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), unless they actively choose to opt out. This is a shift from the current "front-end, opt-out" system where individuals must actively register to vote. The work group will include representatives from various state agencies, legislative committees, local election officials, and voting rights organizations. Their task is to compare the effectiveness, efficiency, and security of back-end, opt-out AVR to the current system, identify potential costs and benefits, and assess technological challenges. The Secretary of Administration must then submit a report of the work group's findings and any legislative recommendations to the Chairs of the House and Senate Committees on Privileges and Elections by November 1, 2026.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB658