HB 19

Abstract

Voter identification; repeal of photo identification requirements; additional forms of identification accepted; signed statement in lieu of required form of identification; penalty. Removes the requirement that voters show a form of identification containing a photograph in order to be allowed to vote. The bill requires a voter to show either his voter registration confirmation documents; his valid Virginia driver's license, his valid United States passport, or any other identification issued by the Commonwealth, one of its political subdivisions, or the United States; any valid student identification card issued by any institution of higher education located in the Commonwealth or any private school located in the Commonwealth; any valid student identification card issued by any institution of higher education located in any other state or territory of the United States; any valid employee identification card containing a photograph of the voter and issued by an employer of the voter in the ordinary course of the employer's business; or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter. The bill also provides that the expiration date on a Virginia driver's license is not considered when determining the validity of a driver's license offered for voter identification purposes. A voter who does not show one of the required forms of identification when offering to vote is required to sign a statement that he is the named registered voter he claims to be in order to be permitted to cast a ballot. Such statement is signed subject to felony penalties for making false statements, punishable as a Class 5 felony. A voter who does not show one of the required forms of identification and does not complete or sign the statement shall be offered a provisional ballot according to the provisions of current law. The bill adds language regarding identification requirements for certain voters pursuant to the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002. This bill incorporates HB 190 and HB 878.

Voter identification; signed statement in lieu of required form of identification; penalty. Permits a voter who does not show one of the required forms of identification when offering to vote to sign a statement that he is the named registered voter he claims to be in order to be permitted to cast a ballot. Such statement is signed subject to felony penalties for making false statements, punishable as a Class 5 felony. A voter who does not show one of the required forms of identification and does not complete or sign the statement shall be offered a provisional ballot according to the provisions of current law. The bill adds language regarding identification requirements for certain voters subject to the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002. This bill incorporates HB 190 and HB 878.

Voter identification; repeal of photo identification requirements. Removes the requirement that voters show a formof identification containing a photograph in order to be allowedto vote. The bill requires a voter to show either his voter registrationconfirmation documents; his valid Virginia driver's license, hisvalid United States passport, or any other identification issued by the Commonwealth, one of its political subdivisions, or the UnitedStates; any valid student identification card issued by any institutionof higher education located in the Commonwealth or any private schoollocated in the Commonwealth; any valid employee identification cardcontaining a photograph of the voter and issued by an employer ofthe voter in the ordinary course of the employer's business; or acopy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check,paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and addressof the voter. The bill adds language regarding identification requirementsfor certain voters pursuant to the federal Help America Vote Actof 2002.