VirginiaHB9092026 Regular SessionHouse

Elections; certain conduct prohibited at polling places applicable to locations for absentee voting.

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

Became Law

Summary

Elections administration; certain activities or conduct prohibited at polling places applicable to locations for absentee voting in person; prohibited possession of firearm within 100 feet of certain locations. Clarifies that the provisions of law prohibiting certain activities or conduct in and around a polling place shall also apply to locations where absentee voting in person is available. The bill also prohibits any person, with certain exceptions, from (i) knowingly carrying any firearm and (ii) knowingly doing so within 100 feet of the entrance of a polling place, the building used by the local electoral board to meet to ascertain election results, the building used to conduct a recount of an election, and other additional locations used for voting-related and elections-related activities. Under current law, this prohibition applies within 40 feet of such entrances.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

40-foot no-campaigning zone at polls

A 40‑foot zone around each polling place entrance is a no‑campaigning area. No loitering, soliciting, handing out campaign material, or hindering voters is allowed. This applies while polls are open, during counting, and for one hour before opening and one hour after closing. Violations are Class 1 misdemeanors.

Ballot drop boxes: sites and security

Each registrar provides a ballot drop-off at the registrar’s office and every satellite office; on election day, each polling place has one. Sites must be accessible and on public property unless at a polling place. The Department sets security and operating standards and sends them each year by October 1 to state legislative leaders. The registrar posts all drop-off locations no later than 55 days before an election and keeps the notice up through the return period. The same conduct rules as at polling places apply at drop-off sites. Ballots are collected at least daily by two-person teams, with chain-of-custody and records as instructed.

Central absentee precincts and vote secrecy

Each city or county creates one or more central absentee precincts by local ordinance in a courthouse or other public building and must notify the Department of Elections and the local electoral board. Each precinct has at least three officers; the chief and assistant chief are on duty whenever it is open. No one may transmit counts before polls close; everyone present signs an oath, and devices are barred during processing until closing. Early transmission is a Class 1 misdemeanor. The law requires procedures to keep each ballot secret.

Election boards: meetings and records

Local electoral boards meet in the first week of February in years they appoint election officers and every March. Two members make a quorum. Members get at least three business days’ notice, and public notice follows state meeting rules. Minutes are posted online as soon as possible and no later than one week before the next meeting. Records are open during registrar office hours, with copy fees capped by law. Records with Social Security numbers are not released; the State Board sets procedures to share needed info without SSNs.

No firearms near voting and election sites

You may not knowingly carry a firearm within 100 feet of polling places, electoral board meeting sites, the State Board while it checks results, the registrar’s main office, additional registration sites while in use, central absentee precincts, or court‑designated recount sites. Exceptions include sworn law‑enforcement officers, some qualified retired officers, licensed armed security on duty, and people on their own private property within the distance. Polling places must post a notice about the firearm ban within 100 feet.

Faster, private review of provisional ballots

The electoral board meets the day after each election to decide provisional ballots. It may give voters time to provide proof and may adjourn, but not beyond 10 days after the election. These meetings are closed to the general public. Only authorized party or candidate representatives, the voter and their counsel, and required staff may attend.

In-person early voting hours and ID

In-person absentee voting starts 45 days before an election and ends at 5:00 p.m. on the Saturday before. Registrar and satellite offices are open at least eight hours on the first and second Saturdays before every election; Sunday hours are optional. If you are in line at closing, you can still vote. You must show an approved ID or sign a sworn statement; if you do neither, you get a provisional ballot. Voters who need help may receive assistance. The same conduct rules as at polling places apply at these offices. Registrars may use certified voting systems for in-person absentee voting.

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: 237 • No: 124

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: 64 • No: 36

Senate vote 3/2/2026

Passed Senate

Yes: 21 • No: 19

Senate vote 2/26/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/26/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/24/2026

Reported from Privileges and Elections

Yes: 8 • No: 7

House vote 2/12/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 62 • No: 35

House vote 2/6/2026

Reported from Privileges and Elections with substitute

Yes: 15 • No: 7

House vote 2/2/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

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 (64-Y 36-N 0-A)

    4/22/2026House
  3. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1078)

    4/22/2026Governor
  4. Reenrolled bill text (HB909ER2)

    4/22/2026House
  5. Reenrolled

    4/22/2026House
  6. Approved by Governor-Chapter 1078 (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

    3/10/2026Governor
  12. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

    3/10/2026House
  13. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB909)

    3/9/2026House
  14. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB909ER)

    3/6/2026House
  15. Enrolled

    3/6/2026House
  16. Signed by President

    3/6/2026Senate
  17. Signed by Speaker

    3/6/2026House
  18. Passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

    3/2/2026Senate
  19. Passed by for the day

    2/27/2026Senate
  20. Read third time

    2/27/2026Senate
  21. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/26/2026Senate
  22. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/26/2026Senate
  23. Rules suspended

    2/26/2026Senate
  24. Reported from Privileges and Elections (8-Y 7-N)

    2/24/2026Senate
  25. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB909)

    2/17/2026House

Bill Text

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