# Virginia HB968: Election results; counting machine-readable ballots, processing absentee ballots.

Virginia HB968, Election results; counting machine-readable ballots, processing absentee ballots., is a 2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Marcia S. "Cia" Price (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-04-13 (Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0718)) (as of 2026-10-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB968-2026
- As of: 2026-10-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia HB968
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Election results; counting machine-readable ballots, processing absentee ballots.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-01-13
- Last action: 2026-04-13, Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0718)
- Sponsor: Marcia S. "Cia" Price (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 9 (219 yes, 99 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 4

## Summary

Election results; counting machine-readable ballots; processing absentee ballots. Requires ballot scanner machines to be used to count machine-readable ballots and prohibits such ballots from being counted by hand unless (i) the ballot scanner machine is inoperative, (ii) there is no other available scanner, and (iii) it would be unreasonable to wait for (a) the inoperative ballot scanner to be made operative or (b) an operative ballot scanner machine to be delivered to the polling place rather than hand counting the ballots. "Ballot scanner machine" and "machine-readable ballot" are defined terms under current law. The bill also provides that if, in the processing and counting of provisional and absentee ballots, any machine-readable ballot is damaged or defective, a team of election officials representing both parties shall make a true duplicate copy of such damaged ballot as a substitute for such damaged ballot. This bill has a delayed effective date of September 1, 2026.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Damaged ballots get true duplicates: benefit, low. Beginning September 1, 2026, if a machine-readable provisional or absentee ballot is damaged so scanners can’t read it, officials make a true duplicate. A bipartisan team creates the copy, labels it as a duplicate, and links it to the original. The duplicate is then counted in place of the damaged…
- One observer at provisional reviews: benefit, low. Beginning September 1, 2026, one authorized observer per party or candidate may attend the electoral board’s provisional ballot meeting. The observer must be a Virginia qualified voter and show a signed written designation. Observers may watch only; they cannot take part or slow the meeting. Attend…
- Scanners required and tighter closing steps: benefit, low. Beginning September 1, 2026, officers must use ballot scanners to count machine-readable ballots. Hand counts happen only if the scanner is broken, no other scanner is available, and waiting is unreasonable. When polls close, officers lock machines, declare results without delay, seal the machines,…
- Clearer rules for provisional ballots: mixed, low. Beginning September 1, 2026, the electoral board meets the day after the election to decide each provisional ballot. The board may adjourn up to 10 days from Election Day and grant short extensions so voters can bring proof. A ballot is counted if you were entitled to vote in that precinct, or you…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Marcia S. "Cia" Price (Democratic), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-03-04 | House | Senate substitute agreed to by House | pass | 63 | 32 |   |
| 2026-03-02 | Senate | Privileges and Elections Substitute agreed to | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-02 | Senate | Passed Senate with substitute | pass | 21 | 19 |   |
| 2026-02-26 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) | pass | 40 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-26 | Senate | Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-24 | Senate | Reported from Privileges and Elections with substitute | pass | 8 | 7 |   |
| 2026-02-03 | House | Read third time and passed House | pass | 65 | 33 |   |
| 2026-01-30 | House | Reported from Privileges and Elections with substitute | pass | 16 | 6 |   |
| 2026-01-26 | House | Subcommittee recommends reporting | pass | 6 | 2 |   |

## Actions (40)

- 2026-04-13: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0718) (Governor)
- 2026-04-13: Approved by Governor - Chapter 718 (effective - 9/1/2026) (Governor)
- 2026-03-14: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 (Governor)
- 2026-03-14: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026 (House)
- 2026-03-12: Signed by Speaker (House)
- 2026-03-11: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB968) (House)
- 2026-03-11: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB968ER) (House)
- 2026-03-11: Enrolled (House)
- 2026-03-11: Signed by President (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: Senate substitute agreed to by House (63-Y 32-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-03-02: Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 19-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-03-02: Privileges and Elections Substitute agreed to (Senate)
- 2026-03-02: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Senate)
- 2026-02-27: Passed by for the day (Senate)
- 2026-02-27: Read third time (Senate)
- 2026-02-26: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB968) (House)
- 2026-02-26: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-26: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-26: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2026-02-25: Committee substitute printed 26107343D-S1 (Senate)
- 2026-02-25: Senate committee offered (Senate)
- 2026-02-24: Senate committee offered (Senate)
- 2026-02-24: Senate committee offered (Senate)
- 2026-02-24: Reported from Privileges and Elections with substitute (8-Y 7-N) (Senate)
- 2026-02-06: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB968) (House)
- 2026-02-04: Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections (Senate)
- 2026-02-04: Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (Senate)
- 2026-02-03: Read third time and passed House (65-Y 33-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-02-02: Engrossed by House - committee substitute (House)
- 2026-02-02: committee substitute agreed to (House)
- 2026-02-02: Read second time (House)
- 2026-01-30: Read first time (House)
- 2026-01-30: Committee substitute printed 26106669D-H1 (House)
- 2026-01-30: House committee offered (House)
- 2026-01-30: Reported from Privileges and Elections with substitute (16-Y 6-N) (House)
- 2026-01-27: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB968) (House)
- 2026-01-26: Subcommittee recommends reporting (6-Y 2-N) (House)
- 2026-01-25: Assigned HPE sub: Election Administration (House)
- 2026-01-13: Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections (House)
- 2026-01-13: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101436D (House)

## Bill text

- Chaptered, 2026-04-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1222275.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1222274.PDF)
- Enrolled, 2026-03-11: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1199397.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1199396.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-25: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1181397.HTML), [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1103906.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1103905.PDF), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1181396.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-24: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1178120.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1178119.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-01-30: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1103911.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1103910.PDF)
- Introduced, 2026-01-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1086719.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1086718.PDF)

## Related bills

- HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with rental agreement. (signed)
- HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. (signed)
- HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, termination by landlord. (signed)
- HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil penalty. (signed)

## Sources
- [Chaptered (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1222275.HTML)
- [Chaptered (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1222274.PDF)
- [Enrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1199397.HTML)
- [Enrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1199396.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1181397.HTML)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1103906.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1103905.PDF)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1181396.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1178120.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1178119.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1103911.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1103910.PDF)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1086719.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1086718.PDF)

## Related
- [HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB5-2026)
- [SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB199-2026)
- [HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB95-2026)
- [HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1393-2026)
- [HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, terminat…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB834-2026)
- [HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB675-2026)
- [Virginia bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia/bills)
- [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB968-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).