RICHMOND - The General Assembly passed two bills Friday sponsored by Del. David Englin (D-45) that will strengthen the democratic process by improving Virginia election law.
House Bill 798 will allow military and overseas voters to receive absentee balloting materials electronically, making it easier for them to exercise their right to vote while deployed to far-flung locations around the world.
“I know from experience how frustrating it can be when you are stationed overseas serving your country and the slow international mail system makes it difficult to meet absentee voting deadlines,” said Englin. “House Bill 798 will make it easier for the brave men and women deployed overseas to participate in the democracy they are defending.”
House Bill 800 will prevent election rules from changing midstream during a special election. This problem arose during the July 2007 special election for City Council in Alexandria, when a new absentee ballot law went into effect during the middle of the election, causing confusion and delay for absentee voters. House Bill 800 changes Virginia law to require that if a writ of special election is issued before new election laws go into effect, the pre-existing election laws will remain in effect for the duration of that special election.
House Bill 798 passed the House of Delegates unanimously on Jan. 23, and it passed the Senate unanimously Friday. House Bill 800 passed the House of Delegates unanimously on Feb. 6, and it passed the Senate unanimously Friday.
