West Virginia 2022 Regular Session

West Virginia House Bill HB2066

Introduced
1/12/22  

Caption

Providing school days for registering eligible students to vote and to provide transportation to voting places

Impact

If enacted, this bill would amend the West Virginia Code by adding a new section that explicitly creates these provisions for student voter registration and transportation. The law would require educational institutions to not only inform students about their voting rights but also to facilitate access to the electoral process. This could significantly increase voter registration rates among young individuals and improve turnout in elections, particularly in areas where students may have limited access to polling places or transportation.

Summary

House Bill 2066, introduced in February 2021, aims to enhance civic engagement among students by requiring county boards of education in West Virginia to facilitate voter registration and transportation to polling places for eligible students. This bill mandates that each county board must designate specific school days, prior to early voting, for students to register to vote and also provide transportation for them to vote on these days. The legislation is intended to ensure that eligible students have the opportunity to participate in elections while attending school, thereby promoting democracy and encouraging young voters to engage with the electoral process.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 2066 appears to be supportive among advocates of civic engagement and education. Many stakeholders, including educational groups and civic organizations, likely view this bill as a positive step towards increasing youth participation in democracy. However, potential opposition could arise from concerns about logistics, such as the feasibility of executing transportation and the appropriateness of school involvement in electoral matters. The discourse reflects a broader concern about engaging the youth in political processes and providing them with the tools needed for informed civic participation.

Contention

Notable points of contention may arise regarding the implementation of the bill. Critics might argue that the logistics of coordinating transportation and scheduling within busy school calendars could pose challenges. Additionally, there could be debates regarding maintaining a nonpartisan environment during school hours, as the bill specifies that registration activities should be educational without electioneering. These discussions highlight the balance between encouraging voter participation and ensuring educational integrity within schools.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

WV HB2118

Providing school days to register and transport eligible students to vote

WV HB4446

Providing school days to register and transport students to vote

WV HB2488

Providing school days to register and transport students to vote

WV HB1396

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in district election officers, further providing for compensation of district election officers; in election districts and polling places, providing for ballot drop boxes; in electronic voting systems, further providing for definitions and for supplies, preparation of the voting system and of polling places, providing for pre-election logic and accuracy testing, repealing provisions relating to statistical sample and providing for post-election ballot audit; providing for electronic poll books and for electronic poll books and election infrastructure equipment bonds; in preparation for and conduct of primaries and elections, further providing for manner of applying to vote, persons entitled to vote, voter's certificates, entries to be made in district register, numbered lists of voters and challenges and for deadline for receipt of valid voter registration application; providing for in-person early voting; in voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for date of application for absentee ballot, for approval of application for absentee ballot, for envelopes for official absentee ballots and for voting by absentee electors; in voting by qualified mail-in electors, further providing for applications for official mail-in ballots, for date of application for mail-in ballot, for approval of application for mail-in ballot, for envelopes for official mail-in ballots and for voting by mail-in electors; in returns of primaries and elections, further providing for computation of returns by county board, certification and issuance of certificates of election; in Election Integrity Grant Program, further providing for funding for elections; in recounts and contests, further providing for opening ballot boxes upon petition of electors alleging fraud or error and deposit or bond, for recanvassing voting machines upon petition of electors alleging fraud or error and for correction of returns, decision not to be final and evidence for prosecution; in penalties, further providing for interference with primaries and elections, frauds and conspiracy; making an appropriation; and making an editorial change.

WV HB2369

Providing for electronic poll books and for electronic poll books and election infrastructure equipment bonds; in preparation for and conduct of primaries and elections, further providing for manner of applying to vote, persons entitled to vote, voter's certificates, entries to be made in district register, numbered lists of voters and challenges and for deadline for receipt of valid voter registration application; and providing for in-person early voting in elections. Amending Title 25 (Elections) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in registration system, further providing for SURE system; in voter registration, further providing for methods of voter registration, providing for same-day voter registration on election day and for same-day voter registration during early voting and further providing for preparation and distribution of applications and for approval of registration applications; and, in changes in records, repealing provisions relating to removal notices, to transfer of registration and to change of enrollment of political party.

WV SB707

Providing minimum experience requirement for director of services class title involving school transportation

WV A3509

Specifies placement of early voting locations and ballot drop boxes.

WV HB4611

Providing an exception to the requirements for voters to present a valid identifying document when appearing in person to vote at the polls

WV HB969

Early voting; authorize at the office of the registrar and additional early voting polling places.

WV HB1313

Early voting; authorize at the office of the registrar and additional early voting polling places.

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