# Virginia SB438: Absentee voting in person; available the second and third Sunday before all elections.

Virginia SB438, Absentee voting in person; available the second and third Sunday before all elections., is a 2026 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Lamont Bagby (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-04-13 (Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0945)) (as of 2026-10-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB438-2026
- As of: 2026-10-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB438
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Absentee voting in person; available the second and third Sunday before all elections.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-01-13
- Last action: 2026-04-13, Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0945)
- Sponsor: Lamont Bagby (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 9 (166 yes, 86 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 4

## Summary

Absentee voting in person; available the second and third Sunday before all elections. Requires absentee voting in person to be made available for a minimum of five hours between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on the second and third Sunday immediately preceding all elections.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- 45-day early voting with weekends: benefit, low. In-person early voting is open starting 45 days before any election. It runs until 5:00 p.m. on the Saturday right before Election Day. For special elections (not for federal offices), early voting starts as soon as possible after the writ is issued. Registrar and satellite offices must be open at…
- Standardized machines and bipartisan staffing: benefit, low. Registrars may let you vote early on certified voting machines the state approves. The state sets uniform procedures for all localities using similar systems. At least two election officers must be on duty during all hours, from the two major parties. In a party primary, both may be from the party…
- First-time federal voters: ID options: mixed, low. If this is your first time voting in a federal election in Virginia and you are covered by the federal first-time voter ID rule, you must show ID. You may show a current photo ID, or a utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government paper with your name and address. If…
- ID or affidavit for early voting: mixed, low. When you vote absentee in person, you first give your name and home address to the registrar. The registrar checks your registration and adds you to the absentee applicant list. You must show an accepted ID, or you can sign a statement that you are the registered voter. False statements are a felon…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Lamont Bagby (Democratic), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-03-06 | Senate | House amendment agreed to by Senate | pass | 21 | 19 |   |
| 2026-03-04 | House | Passed House with amendment | pass | 62 | 35 |   |
| 2026-02-27 | House | Reported from Privileges and Elections with amendment(s) | pass | 14 | 7 |   |
| 2026-02-02 | Senate | Read third time and passed Senate | pass | 21 | 19 |   |
| 2026-01-30 | Senate | Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-01-30 | Senate | Privileges and Elections Substitute agreed to | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-01-29 | Senate | Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-01-29 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) | pass | 40 | 0 |   |
| 2026-01-27 | Senate | Reported from Privileges and Elections with substitute | pass | 8 | 6 |   |

## Actions (38)

- 2026-04-13: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0945) (Governor)
- 2026-04-13: Approved by Governor-Chapter 945 (effective 7/1/2026) (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 (Senate)
- 2026-03-12: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB438) (Senate)
- 2026-03-12: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB438ER) (Senate)
- 2026-03-12: Enrolled (Senate)
- 2026-03-12: Signed by President (Senate)
- 2026-03-12: Signed by Speaker (House)
- 2026-03-06: House amendment agreed to by Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: Passed House with amendment (62-Y 35-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-03-04: Engrossed by House as amended (House)
- 2026-03-04: Delegate Price Floor amendment agreed to (House)
- 2026-03-04: committee amendment rejected (House)
- 2026-03-04: Floor Offered (House)
- 2026-03-04: Passed by temporarily (House)
- 2026-03-04: Read third time (House)
- 2026-03-03: Read second time (House)
- 2026-03-02: House committee offered (House)
- 2026-02-27: Reported from Privileges and Elections with amendment(s) (14-Y 7-N) (House)
- 2026-02-05: Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections (House)
- 2026-02-05: Read first time (House)
- 2026-02-05: Placed on Calendar (House)
- 2026-02-02: Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-01-30: Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-01-30: Privileges and Elections Substitute agreed to (Senate)
- 2026-01-30: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Senate)
- 2026-01-30: Read second time (Senate)
- 2026-01-30: Read second time (Senate)
- 2026-01-29: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-01-29: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-01-29: Passed by for the day (Senate)
- 2026-01-29: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2026-01-29: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2026-01-27: Committee substitute printed 26106334D-S1 (Senate)
- 2026-01-27: Reported from Privileges and Elections with substitute (8-Y 6-N) (Senate)
- 2026-01-13: Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections (Senate)
- 2026-01-13: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102373D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Chaptered, 2026-04-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1224661.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1224660.PDF)
- Enrolled, 2026-03-12: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1202767.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1202766.PDF)
- Amendment, 2026-03-04: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1193601.HTML), [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1194162.HTML)
- Amendment, 2026-03-02: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1187559.HTML), [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1187562.HTML)
- Substitute, 2026-01-29: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1098388.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1098387.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-01-27: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1098625.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1098624.PDF)
- Introduced, 2026-01-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1090270.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1090269.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/1224661.HTML)
- [Chaptered (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1224660.PDF)
- [Enrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1202767.HTML)
- [Enrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1202766.PDF)
- [Amendment (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1193601.HTML)
- [Amendment (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1194162.HTML)
- [Amendment (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1187559.HTML)
- [Amendment (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1187562.HTML)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1098388.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1098387.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1098625.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1098624.PDF)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1090270.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1090269.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)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB438-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).