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Bill

Bill

HB 1657

Voter registration; regular periodic review of registration records.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Bonita Anthony and 19 co-sponsors

Virginia would require regular voter registration audits to remove ineligible registrants, but the Governor vetoed this; the House failed to override the veto.

Requires 64 affirmative votes to override Governor's veto
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1657

Legislative bill overview

HB 1657 would require Virginia's election officials to conduct regular periodic reviews of voter registration records to identify and remove ineligible voters, such as those who are deceased, have moved out of state, or are otherwise no longer qualified to vote. The bill establishes a systematic process for maintaining accurate voter rolls through ongoing audits rather than relying solely on voter-initiated updates or periodic statewide purges.

Why is this important

Voter registration list accuracy affects election integrity and administrative efficiency. Regular reviews can prevent fraud and administrative errors, but they also carry risks of mistakenly removing eligible voters if processes are flawed. This issue sits at the intersection of election security concerns and voting access protections, making it consistently controversial in state legislatures.

Potential points of contention

  • Removal procedures and voter protection: Whether the bill's review process includes adequate safeguards to notify voters before removal and allow them to correct errors, or whether it prioritizes speed over accuracy
  • Resource and implementation costs: Whether local election offices have sufficient funding and staff to conduct regular periodic reviews without overwhelming their operations
  • Partisan disagreement on election administration philosophy: Whether regular systematic purges primarily serve election integrity or disproportionately affect certain voter populations (a persistent partisan divide in election administration debates)

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

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