Virginia House Bill HB1530

Virginia 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/19/24
• Refer: 1/19/24

Caption

Elections; each locality to have a chief deputy and other deputy registrars.

Impact

The impact of HB1530 on state laws includes a more defined structure for local electoral offices in Virginia. With this new legislation, every locality will be required to appoint deputy registrars based on their population, creating a standardized approach to voter registration across different regions. Additionally, the bill sets forth compensation guidelines for these deputy registrars, which are to be equivalent to 60 percent of the salary of the general registrar, ensuring proper remuneration and potentially attracting qualified individuals to these roles.

Summary

House Bill 1530 seeks to amend §24.2-112 of the Code of Virginia to establish requirements for chief deputy and other deputy registrars in each locality. The bill mandates that counties and cities larger than 15,500 in population must have at least one full-time deputy registrar who serves as the chief deputy registrar. This position is aimed at enhancing the efficiency of election registration processes and ensuring that local electoral offices are adequately staffed to handle voter registration duties.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding HB1530 might revolve around the implications of adding more regulatory requirements on localities, particularly smaller ones that may struggle with the financial impacts of hiring full-time officials. Critics may argue that this could create unnecessary burden on local governments or lead to disparities in resources among them, particularly between urban and rural areas. However, proponents may emphasize that investing in adequate election administration staff is essential for maintaining the integrity and efficiency of the electoral process in Virginia.