VirginiaSB1762026 Regular SessionSenate

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

Sponsored By: Schuyler T. VanValkenburg (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 HB 630.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Public ranked choice results and education

The Department of Elections publishes how many votes each candidate gets in each round. It also posts ballot‑level ranking data when feasible and when privacy can be protected. The State Board provides general voter education materials online and helps localities make local materials if asked. These transparency and education steps remain in place through July 1, 2031.

State review of voting equipment process

The Department of Elections reviews Virginia’s testing and approval process for voting equipment, including new audit tools and tabulation software and the roles of state and local officials. It must send a report and executive summary by the first day of the 2027 Regular Session and post them online.

State-approved software and ranked choice rules

The State Board of Elections sets standards for vote-counting software. Makers can apply to have software examined, and localities that use ranked choice voting must use State Board‑approved software. The Board must set clear rules for counting in rounds, picking winners, and ballot standards. Final counting must happen at the local electoral board’s meeting. If a machine‑readable ballot is damaged, a bipartisan team must make a labeled true duplicate for counting. These rules last through July 1, 2031.

Audits and recounts for ranked choice

Local electoral boards can request a risk‑limiting audit of a ranked choice election. Ranked choice elections are not included in the random audit drawing, and any audit checks only first‑choice votes. The State Board can create and change recount procedures to fit ranked choice races. These rules remain in effect through July 1, 2031.

Localities can choose ranked choice voting

County boards of supervisors and city councils can adopt ranked choice voting by a majority vote after consulting the local electoral board and registrar. They must notify the State Board of Elections, which gives a technical feasibility review within 10 days and explains steps if it is not feasible. If a town council adopts it, the county may require the town to repay county costs caused by that choice. This authority ends July 1, 2031.

Repeals a 2020 election enactment

The law repeals the fourth enactment of Chapter 1054 of the 2020 Acts of Assembly and removes it from the code. The excerpt does not state the practical effects.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Schuyler T. VanValkenburg

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 234 • No: 115

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: 33

House vote 2/25/2026

Passed House

Yes: 64 • No: 34

House vote 2/20/2026

Reported from Privileges and Elections

Yes: 15 • No: 6

Senate vote 2/2/2026

Read third time and passed Senate

Yes: 21 • No: 19

Senate vote 1/30/2026

Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/29/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/29/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/27/2026

Reported from Privileges and Elections

Yes: 8 • No: 5 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. House concurred in Governor's recommendation (65-Y 33-N 0-A)

    4/22/2026House
  2. Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

    4/22/2026Senate
  3. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0993)

    4/22/2026Governor
  4. Reenrolled bill text (SB176ER2)

    4/22/2026Senate
  5. Reenrolled

    4/22/2026Senate
  6. Approved by Governor-Chapter 993 (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 Senate

    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

    3/10/2026Senate
  13. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB176)

    2/27/2026Senate
  14. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB176ER)

    2/27/2026Senate
  15. Enrolled

    2/27/2026Senate
  16. Signed by President

    2/27/2026Senate
  17. Signed by Speaker

    2/27/2026House
  18. Passed House (64-Y 34-N 0-A)

    2/25/2026House
  19. Read third time

    2/25/2026House
  20. Read second time

    2/24/2026House
  21. Reported from Privileges and Elections (15-Y 6-N)

    2/20/2026House
  22. Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections

    2/5/2026House
  23. Read first time

    2/5/2026House
  24. Placed on Calendar

    2/5/2026House
  25. Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

    2/2/2026Senate

Bill Text

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