HB 240

            
2020 SESSION

20101466D

HOUSE BILL NO. 240


Offered January 8, 2020


Prefiled December 30, 2019

A BILL to amend and reenact � 24.2-703.1, as it is currently 
 effective and as it shall become effective, of the Code of Virginia, relating 
 to absentee voting; annual applications for eligible absentee voters.
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Patron-- Sickles

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Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
 
 
1. That � 24.2-703.1, as it is currently effective and as it 
 shall become effective, of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
 
 
� 24.2-703.1. (Effective for elections prior to the general 
 election on November 3, 2020) Special annual applications for absentee ballots 
 for eligible absentee voters.
 
 
Any person who is eligible for an absentee ballot under subdivision 4 of � 24.2-700 because of a disability or illness and who is likely to remain so eligible for the 
 remainder of the calendar year shall be eligible to file a special annual 
 application to receive ballots for all elections in which he is eligible to 
 vote in a calendar year. His first such application shall be accompanied by a 
 statement, on a form prescribed by the State Board and signed by the voter and his physician, provider as defined in � 
 37.2-403, or accredited religious practitioner, that the 
 voter is eligible for an absentee ballot under 
 subdivision 4 of � 24.2-700 and likely to remain so 
 eligible for the remainder of the calendar year.
 
 
In accordance with procedures established by the State Board, 
 the general registrar shall retain the application and form, enroll the 
 applicant on a special absentee voter applicant list, and process the 
 applicants request for an absentee ballot for each succeeding election in the 
 calendar year. The applicant shall specify by party designation the primary 
 ballots he is requesting.
 
 
The general registrar shall send each such enrolled applicant 
 a blank application by December 15 for each ensuing calendar year, and upon 
 completion thereof, the applicant shall be eligible to receive ballots for all 
 elections in which he is eligible to vote in that calendar year.
 
 
If an official reply to the application or an absentee ballot 
 sent to the applicant is returned as undeliverable, or the general registrar 
 knows that the applicant is no longer a qualified voter, no ballot for any 
 subsequent election shall be sent to the voter until a new application is filed 
 and accepted.
 
 
� 24.2-703.1. (Effective for elections beginning with the 
 general election on November 3, 2020) Special annual applications for absentee 
 ballots for eligible absentee voters.
 
 
Any person who is eligible for an absentee ballot under subdivision A 4 subsection A of � 24.2-700 because of a disability or illness 
 and who is likely to remain so eligible for the remainder of the calendar year 
 shall be eligible to file a special annual application to receive ballots for 
 all elections in which he is eligible to vote in a calendar year. His first 
 such application shall be accompanied by a statement, on a form prescribed by 
 the State Board and signed by the voter and his physician, 
 provider as defined in � 37.2-403, or accredited religious practitioner, 
 that the voter is eligible for an absentee ballot under 
 subdivision A 4 subsection A 
 of � 24.2-700 and likely to remain so eligible for the remainder of the 
 calendar year.
 
 
In accordance with procedures established by the State Board, 
 the general registrar shall retain the application and form, enroll the 
 applicant on a special absentee voter applicant list, and process the 
 applicants request for an absentee ballot for each succeeding election in the 
 calendar year. The applicant shall specify by party designation the primary 
 ballots he is requesting.
 
 
The general registrar shall send each such enrolled applicant 
 a blank application by December 15 for each ensuing calendar year, and upon 
 completion thereof, the applicant shall be eligible to receive ballots for all 
 elections in which he is eligible to vote in that calendar year.
 
 
If an official reply to the application or an absentee ballot 
 sent to the applicant is returned as undeliverable, or the general registrar 
 knows that the applicant is no longer a qualified voter, no ballot for any 
 subsequent election shall be sent to the voter until a new application is filed 
 and accepted.