Legislators in Virginia have advanced 24 election-related bills out of at least one chamber of the legislature so far in 2024, including 15 bills that have crossed over since the beginning of February. As of Feb. 9, Virginia trails only New York (29 bills) in terms of advancing election-related legislation. Two other states, Georgia and South Dakota, have advanced at least 10 bills.
In Virginia, nine of the bills voted out of at least one chamber make changes to elections in specific jurisdictions only, typically by amending or altering a municipality’s charter. Other legislation that is advancing includes HB1003, which requires election officials to mail notice of a change in polling locations to voters at least 30 days before an election, and HB939, which prohibits anyone from carrying a firearm within 100 feet of a number of election-related facilities such as a meeting place for a local electoral board, ballot drop-off locations, and voter registration offices. Virginia has a divided government.
New York, a Democratic trifecta state, continues to be the most active legislature in advancing election-related legislation, although no new election laws have been adopted in the state yet this year. To read more about New York’s legislative activity, see this update.
