Virginia Senate Bill SB947

Virginia 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/6/23
• Refer: 1/6/23

Caption

Candidates for office; political party nomination by non-primary method, filing fee.

Impact

The major impact of SB947 will be on how nominations are conducted within political parties in Virginia. By allowing parties to impose a filing fee for candidates seeking non-primary nominations, the legislation potentially introduces a financial barrier to entry for some candidates. The fee is capped at four percent of the office's annual salary or average fees from the last four years, thereby ensuring some level of standardization across different offices. This could influence candidacy dynamics significantly, especially for less-funded candidates or from underrepresented groups.

Summary

SB947 proposes amendments to Virginia's election laws regarding how political parties nominate their candidates for various offices, including the United States Senate and statewide positions. The bill establishes guidelines that empower political party authorities to determine the nomination method, with provisions for both primary and non-primary methods. Specifically, it stipulates that if there is only one incumbent from a party for a General Assembly district, that incumbent can designate the nomination method. Conversely, when there are multiple incumbents, a primary is mandated unless there is unanimous consent to adopt a different method.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB947 center largely on the potential exclusion of qualified voters from the nominating process. Critics argue that the flexibility in determining nomination methods may lead to practices that could hinder broader participation, particularly from individuals who are members of the military, students, or those with disabilities. There are concerns that such a framework could result in nominations that don't reflect the wide support of the party's constituents, thereby concentrating power within party elites. Ultimately, this legislation represents a shift that could change the landscape of political nominations in Virginia.