VirginiaHB2152026 Regular SessionHouse

Voter registration; list maintenance, third-party data exchanges approved by State Bd. of Elections.

Sponsored By: Jen Kiggans - to resign 12/31 (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Voter registration; list maintenance; third-party data exchanges; approval by State Board of Elections. Requires the Commissioner of Elections, prior to entering into or terminating a memorandum of understanding or modifying the terms of an existing memorandum of understanding with any third party for the exchange of voter registration data, to submit the proposed memorandum of understanding, the reason for termination, or the proposed modifications, as appropriate, to the State Board of Elections for review and approval. Approval shall require a vote of two-thirds of the State Board. The bill also requires the Commissioner of Elections to apply for, enter into, and maintain membership for the Commonwealth in the Electronic Registration Information Center.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Automatic registration at 18

If you preregister, the system registers you automatically when you become eligible or when you turn 18, whichever comes first. The system also gives every registered voter a unique ID number.

Timely voter lists and notices

Virginia runs one central voter registration system for all voters. Local registrars must enter and correct voter records. The Department sends confirmation for new registrations and notices when your record or polling place changes. It provides official pollbooks to registrars at least 16 days before a general or primary and three days before a special election. Lists include your year of birth, not the month or day. The Department can buy or lease needed equipment, and the State Board sets uniform rules for deciding voter residence.

When registrations are cancelled

Registrars must remove a name within 30 days when a person is dead, moves away, is convicted of a felony, is adjudicated incapacitated, is known not to be a U.S. citizen from DMV or SAVE, or is otherwise not qualified. The system keeps a separate record of deleted names for four years and lists the reason. It keeps information about deaths, felony convictions, and adjudications of incapacity permanently. If a cancellation is for known non-citizenship from DMV or SAVE, the registrar must mail a notice to that person.

Broader data checks on registrations

All state agencies must share information that helps keep voter lists accurate, and Virginia can share with other states’ chief election officers. The Department must work with other states to compare voter records and history to spot address changes and duplicates. The Department must apply to use the federal SAVE system to check citizenship data and follow rules for using that information. The Commissioner must apply for Virginia to join ERIC and, if accepted, sign the agreement, pay fees, and stay in good standing.

Stronger privacy and data oversight

Individual voter registration records are exempt from Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act. This protects privacy but limits public access to personal registration details. The Commissioner must get a two‑thirds vote of the State Board to enter, end, or change any third‑party voter data‑sharing agreement, unless the data sharing is required by law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jen Kiggans - to resign 12/31

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 245 • No: 129

Senate vote 4/22/2026

Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 21 • No: 18

House vote 4/22/2026

House concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 63 • No: 36

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Passed Senate

Yes: 21 • No: 19

Senate vote 3/3/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/3/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 10 • No: 5

Senate vote 3/3/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/24/2026

Reported from Privileges and Elections and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 8 • No: 7

House vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 62 • No: 35

House vote 2/13/2026

Reported from Privileges and Elections

Yes: 14 • No: 7

House vote 2/9/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting and referring to Appropriations

Yes: 6 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

    4/22/2026Senate
  2. House concurred in Governor's recommendation (63-Y 36-N 0-A)

    4/22/2026House
  3. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1038)

    4/22/2026Governor
  4. Reenrolled bill text (HB215ER2)

    4/22/2026House
  5. Reenrolled

    4/22/2026House
  6. Approved by Governor-Chapter 1038 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/22/2026Governor
  7. Signed by President

    4/22/2026Senate
  8. Signed by Speaker

    4/22/2026House
  9. Governor's recommendation adopted

    4/22/2026Governor
  10. Governor's recommendation received by House

    4/11/2026Governor
  11. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/14/2026Governor
  12. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026

    3/14/2026House
  13. Signed by Speaker

    3/12/2026House
  14. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB215)

    3/11/2026House
  15. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB215ER)

    3/11/2026House
  16. Enrolled

    3/11/2026House
  17. Signed by President

    3/11/2026Senate
  18. Passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

    3/4/2026Senate
  19. Read third time

    3/4/2026Senate
  20. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/3/2026Senate
  21. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/3/2026Senate
  22. Rules suspended

    3/3/2026Senate
  23. Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 5-N)

    3/3/2026Senate
  24. Reported from Privileges and Elections and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (8-Y 7-N)

    2/24/2026Senate
  25. Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections

    2/18/2026Senate

Bill Text

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