All Roll Calls
Yes: 236 • No: 121
Sponsored By: Katrina Callsen (Democratic)
Became Law
Elections; conduct of election; ranked choice voting; locally elected offices; report. Expands the option to use ranked choice voting from only elections for county board of supervisors and city councils to any local governing body. The bill requires the State Board of Elections to provide standards and to approve vote tabulating software for use with existing voting systems in elections conducted by ranked choice voting. The bill provides for copying damaged or defective ballots that cannot be properly counted by electronic voting systems. The bill allows localities to request risk-limiting audits of elections conducted using ranked choice voting and provides that no such election may be included in any random drawing required to satisfy the general requirements for risk-limiting audits. The bill specifies that the State Board is required to produce generalized voter education materials on ranked choice voting and is also permitted to create and modify recount procedures to the extent necessary to accommodate a recount of an election. The bill directs the Department of Elections to review the testing and approval framework for voting equipment in the Commonwealth and submit a report of such review no later than the first day of the 2027 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Finally, the bill repeals the 2031 expiration of the option to use ranked choice voting in elections, making such option permanent. This bill is identical to SB 176.
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6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
The Department of Elections publishes the votes each candidate gets in every RCV round, including withdrawn candidates. It also posts ballot-level ranking data when feasible without risking voter privacy. The State Board posts general RCV education materials and helps localities create local materials on request.
The Department of Elections reviews how Virginia tests and approves voting equipment, including new technologies and roles. It must submit a report and executive summary by the first day of the 2027 Regular Session. The report is posted on the General Assembly and Elections Board websites.
The ranked choice voting authorization expires on July 1, 2031. After that date, localities are not authorized to use RCV unless lawmakers extend it. The law also repeals the fourth enactment of Chapter 1054 from 2020.
A bipartisan team must make and label a true duplicate if a machine-readable ballot is damaged so it cannot be counted. Local electoral boards may request a risk-limiting audit for RCV elections; these contests are not in the random audit drawing. For RCV recounts, the State Board can adjust procedures, and any linked risk-limiting audit checks only first rankings.
Counties and cities can choose ranked choice voting for their own board or council elections. They must consult the local electoral board and registrar and pass it by a majority vote. They must notify the State Board, which gives a feasibility review within 10 days and explains needed steps. If a town adopts it, the county may require the town to repay added election costs.
The State Board sets standards and rules for running ranked choice voting. It defines how to count and report each round and how to pick winners in single- and multi-seat races. Software makers can seek State Board approval, and localities using RCV must use Board-approved tabulation software. Final tabulation happens at the electoral board meeting required by law.
Katrina Callsen
Democratic • House
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
All Roll Calls
Yes: 236 • No: 121
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: 65 • No: 35
Senate vote • 3/10/2026
Passed Senate
Yes: 21 • No: 19
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)
Yes: 39 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/3/2026
Reported from Privileges and Elections
Yes: 8 • No: 7
House vote • 2/17/2026
Read third time and passed House
Yes: 62 • No: 34
House vote • 2/13/2026
Reported from Privileges and Elections
Yes: 15 • No: 6
House vote • 2/9/2026
Subcommittee recommends reporting
Yes: 5 • No: 2
Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A)
House concurred in Governor's recommendation (65-Y 35-N 0-A)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1062)
Reenrolled bill text (HB630ER2)
Reenrolled
Approved by Governor-Chapter 1062 (effective 7/1/2026)
Signed by President
Signed by Speaker
Governor's recommendation adopted
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB630)
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
Signed by Speaker
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB630ER)
Enrolled
Signed by President
Passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
Read third time
Passed by for the day
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
Rules suspended
Reported from Privileges and Elections (8-Y 7-N)
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
Chaptered
4/22/2026
Reenrolled
4/22/2026
Gov Recommendation
4/13/2026
Substitute
4/13/2026
Enrolled
3/30/2026
Introduced
1/13/2026
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