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Bill

HB 440

Candidates for office; electronic filing of forms, petitions, and notifications.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Josh Cole and 1 co-sponsor

Virginia bill requiring candidates to electronically file campaign forms and petitions instead of paper submissions to modernize election administration.

Left in Privileges and Elections
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 440

Legislative bill overview

HB 440 would require Virginia candidates for office to electronically file campaign-related forms, petitions, and notifications instead of using paper-based filing systems. The bill aims to modernize the state's election administration infrastructure by transitioning to digital submission processes for candidate disclosures and related documents.

Why is this important

Electronic filing could reduce administrative burden on election officials, decrease processing time for candidate materials, and potentially improve record accessibility and transparency. However, the transition requires coordination among local election offices, changes to existing systems, and may create compliance challenges for candidates unfamiliar with digital filing requirements.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs and timelines: Local election offices may require software upgrades, training, and staffing adjustments to process electronic filings, raising questions about who bears these expenses and how quickly implementation can occur
  • Access and equity concerns: Candidates with limited technological resources or digital literacy could face barriers to compliance, potentially disadvantaging grassroots or underrepresented candidates
  • Security and verification standards: The bill would need to establish clear protocols for authenticating electronic submissions, maintaining chain of custody for digital records, and preventing fraud or system failures

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

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