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Bill

Bill

HB 89

Candidates for office; electronic filing of forms, petitions, etc., with Department of Elections.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Nadarius Clark and 8 co-sponsors

HB 89 mandates Virginia candidates file campaign documents electronically with the Department of Elections, modernizing the filing process from paper to digital submission.

Left in Committee Privileges and Elections
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Bill Summary · HB 89

Legislative bill overview

HB 89 requires candidates for office in Virginia to file campaign-related forms, petitions, and documents electronically with the Department of Elections rather than through paper submissions. The bill streamlines the filing process by establishing a digital submission system for candidate registration and electoral documents.

Why is this important

Digitizing candidate filings reduces administrative burden on election officials, decreases processing delays, and improves public accessibility to candidate information. Electronic filing also creates permanent digital records that are easier to audit and harder to lose or mishandle compared to paper documents.

Potential points of contention

  • Technology access disparities: Candidates in rural areas or with limited digital literacy may face barriers to compliance, potentially disadvantaging certain populations
  • Cybersecurity and privacy concerns: Digital filing systems require robust security protections to prevent hacking, data breaches, or unauthorized access to sensitive campaign information
  • Implementation costs and timelines: The Department of Elections must develop and maintain an electronic system, raising questions about fiscal responsibility and whether counties have adequate resources and training

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

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