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SB 46

Absentee voting in person; available beginning 15 days prior to any election.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Christie Craig

SB 46 would allow Virginia voters to cast in-person absentee ballots beginning 15 days before elections, expanding early voting access but requiring extended poll operations and resources.

Passed by indefinitely in Privileges and Elections (8-Y 7-N)
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 46

Legislative bill overview

SB 46 would extend in-person absentee voting availability to begin 15 days before any election in Virginia, rather than the current timeframe. The bill was introduced by Christie Craig and referred to the Committee on Privileges and Elections, where it was indefinitely postponed in January 2026.

Why is this important

Expanding early voting access affects voter participation rates and election administration logistics. Earlier availability could reduce Election Day congestion and accommodate voters with scheduling constraints, but also requires additional poll worker hours and resource allocation across a longer period.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and resource allocation: The fiscal impact statement indicates implementation costs; extending the voting period requires more poll workers, facilities, and equipment for 15+ days instead of a shorter window
  • Administrative burden: Localities must staff absentee voting locations longer, which some argue strains election management capacity while others view it as necessary infrastructure investment
  • Election security vs. accessibility trade-off: Extended voting periods create longer chains of custody for ballots and voter verification procedures, raising questions about security protocols versus convenience

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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