VirginiaHB6302026 Regular SessionHouse

Elections; ranked choice voting, locally elected offices, report.

Sponsored By: Katrina Callsen (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

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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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

More public data and voter help

The Department of Elections publishes the votes each candidate gets in every RCV round, including withdrawn candidates.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.

Voting equipment review and 2027 report

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.

RCV authorization ends July 1, 2031

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.

Audits, recounts, and damaged ballots rules

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.

Local option for ranked choice voting

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.

State rules and approved RCV software

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.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Katrina Callsen

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

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

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 (65-Y 35-N 0-A)

    4/22/2026House
  3. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1062)

    4/22/2026Governor
  4. Reenrolled bill text (HB630ER2)

    4/22/2026House
  5. Reenrolled

    4/22/2026House
  6. Approved by Governor-Chapter 1062 (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. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB630)

    4/6/2026House
  11. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/31/2026Governor
  12. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

    3/31/2026House
  13. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  14. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB630ER)

    3/30/2026House
  15. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  16. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  17. Passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  18. Read third time

    3/10/2026Senate
  19. Passed by for the day

    3/9/2026Senate
  20. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/6/2026Senate
  21. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/5/2026Senate
  22. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/5/2026Senate
  23. Rules suspended

    3/5/2026Senate
  24. Reported from Privileges and Elections (8-Y 7-N)

    3/3/2026Senate
  25. Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections

    2/18/2026Senate

Bill Text

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