Virginia Senate Bill SB1442

Virginia 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/23
• Refer: 1/11/23
• Report Pass: 1/24/23
• Engrossed: 1/27/23
• Refer: 2/8/23

Caption

Conduct of election; abstract of votes, law-enforcement officer to obtain returns not forwarded.

Impact

The amendments brought forth by SB1442 will strengthen the mechanisms in place for the collection and submission of election results in Virginia. By placing a greater responsibility on law enforcement to ensure that abstracts are delivered promptly, the bill seeks to minimize delays that could affect the overall election timeline. This could lead to increased accountability among local electoral boards and officials, as their compliance with the deadlines set by the State Board will be closely monitored.

Summary

SB1442 amends sections of the Code of Virginia regarding the conduct of elections, particularly focusing on the process for obtaining abstracts of votes that have not been submitted within the required timeframe. The bill stipulates that if the State Board has not received the required abstracts from any county or city within a specified number of days following an election, a law enforcement officer will be dispatched to retrieve these documents. This change is aimed at ensuring timely reporting and maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.

Contention

During discussions surrounding SB1442, there were concerns raised regarding the potential strain on law enforcement resources. Critics of the bill argued that requiring officers to retrieve election results may divert them from other critical responsibilities. Furthermore, there were debates about whether this legislative change might impose additional burdens on local electoral officials, who already face challenges during election periods. These points of contention reflect the broader discussions about balancing efficient election administration with the practicalities of law enforcement involvement.