Electoral reform in Virginia
Encyclopedia
Electoral reform in
Virginia
refers to efforts to change the electoral system in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Virginia has undergone much electoral change since its settling in 1607, many of which were required by federal legislation. However, it remains a relatively conservative state in this respect compared to California
and others which have experimented with various alternative systems.
. On February 19, 1914, legislation was introduced in the Virginia House of Delegates
calling for the direct election of United States senators by the voters of Virginia. This followed enactment of the Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution
on April 8, 1913. Virginia had not voted to ratify the amendment.
. These included allowing write-in ballots in U.S. presidential elections. In 1998, SB 316 was passed, changing the number of signatures required for ballot access as follows:
's analysis of Virginia's voting systems determined that amendments to the Constitution of Virginia
might be required to implement instant runoff voting in statewide executive elections. § 24.2-673 of the Code of Virginia
appears to require use of the plurality system in local executive office elections
HB 2739, a bill to implement instant runoff voting statewide, was introduced by Del. William K. Barlow
in 2003 but stricken at his request. In 2004, Barlow introduced HB 956, a bill to allow IRV on a test basis in localities; it died in committee. However, Barlow remained confident that "instant runoff is going to happen soon". Virginians for Instant Runoff Voting organized in 2006 and launched plans to implement the system in more student government elections. IRV is presently used in single-winner student government elections at the University of Virginia
, as promulgated in III(G)(3) of the Spring 2007 University Board of Elections Rules and Regulations. UVA's use of the system predates VIRV's formation.
Bills to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact
were introduced in 2007, but they died in committee. A bill to study Virginia's methods of allocating electoral votes also died in committee. Virginia is commonly considered a swing state
in the upcoming 2008 U.S. Presidential election, which could have interesting effects on the debate of any National Popular Vote bills in the General Assembly session convening in January 2008.
Approval voting
appears to be prohibited by laws defining an "overvote" as follows: "'Overvote' means a ballot on which a voter casts a vote for a greater number of candidates or positions than the number for which he was lawfully entitled to vote and no vote shall be counted with respect to that office or issue".
Absentee ballot
rights have been expanded in recent years as well. However, a bill to grant absentee ballots without requiring an excuse (e.g. having to work/commute at least 11 hours between 6 AM and 7 PM) was defeated in 2006 and again in 2007 as was a bill to allow pregnant women to vote absentee
city charter has an I&R provision, however.
or put redistricting in the hands of retired judges have failed. In 2007, a bill was introduced to draw district lines on the basis of political subdivisions and to ban the consideration of incumbency; this bill died in committee.
and Virginia Senate. Lacey Putney, chair of the House committee, has been reluctant to embrace major changes to the system. Important players in the electoral reform movement include Virginia resident and Libertarian Party
national chair Bill Redpath
and others associated with FairVote.
Electoral reform
Electoral reform is change in electoral systems to improve how public desires are expressed in election results. That can include reforms of:...
Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
refers to efforts to change the electoral system in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Virginia has undergone much electoral change since its settling in 1607, many of which were required by federal legislation. However, it remains a relatively conservative state in this respect compared to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and others which have experimented with various alternative systems.
Direct election of U.S. Senators
Originally, U.S. Senators were chosen by the Virginia General AssemblyVirginia General Assembly
The Virginia General Assembly is the legislative body of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the oldest legislative body in the Western Hemisphere, established on July 30, 1619. The General Assembly is a bicameral body consisting of a lower house, the Virginia House of Delegates, with 100 members,...
. On February 19, 1914, legislation was introduced in the Virginia House of Delegates
Virginia House of Delegates
The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the...
calling for the direct election of United States senators by the voters of Virginia. This followed enactment of the Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution
Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution
The Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution established direct election of United States Senators by popular vote. The amendment supersedes Article I, § 3, Clauses 1 and 2 of the Constitution, under which senators were elected by state legislatures...
on April 8, 1913. Virginia had not voted to ratify the amendment.
Ballot access
There have been many changes designed to make the electoral system more favorable to third partiesThird party (United States)
The term third party is used in the United States for any and all political parties in the United States other than one of the two major parties . The term can also refer to independent politicians not affiliated with any party at all and to write-in candidates.The United States has had a...
. These included allowing write-in ballots in U.S. presidential elections. In 1998, SB 316 was passed, changing the number of signatures required for ballot access as follows:
- In statewide races, reducing the number of signatures required from 0.5% of the number of registered voters (approximately 17,000 in 1998) to a flat 10,000;
- In congressional district races, reducing the number of signatures required from 0.5% of the number of voters registered in the district (approximately 1,550 signatures based on the January 1, 1998, registered voter total) to 1,000; and
- Increasing the number of signatures required from each congressional district from 200 to 400.
Voting system changes
In 2003, FairVoteFairVote
FairVote is a U.S. non-profit organization based in Takoma Park, Maryland, whose mission is to achieve universal access to participation, a full spectrum of meaningful ballot choices and majority rule with fair representation for all...
's analysis of Virginia's voting systems determined that amendments to the Constitution of Virginia
Constitution of Virginia
The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia is the document that defines and limits the powers of the state government and the basic rights of the citizens of the U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia. Like all other state constitutions, it is supreme over Virginia's laws and acts of government,...
might be required to implement instant runoff voting in statewide executive elections. § 24.2-673 of the Code of Virginia
Code of Virginia
The Code of Virginia is the statutory law of the U.S. state of Virginia, and consists of the codified legislation of the Virginia General Assembly. The 1950 Code of Virginia is the revision currently in force...
appears to require use of the plurality system in local executive office elections
HB 2739, a bill to implement instant runoff voting statewide, was introduced by Del. William K. Barlow
William K. Barlow
William K. "Billy K" Barlow is an Virginian politician in the Democratic Party and a lawyer...
in 2003 but stricken at his request. In 2004, Barlow introduced HB 956, a bill to allow IRV on a test basis in localities; it died in committee. However, Barlow remained confident that "instant runoff is going to happen soon". Virginians for Instant Runoff Voting organized in 2006 and launched plans to implement the system in more student government elections. IRV is presently used in single-winner student government elections at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
, as promulgated in III(G)(3) of the Spring 2007 University Board of Elections Rules and Regulations. UVA's use of the system predates VIRV's formation.
Bills to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact
National Popular Vote Interstate Compact
The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is an agreement among U.S. states designed to replace current state rules governing the electoral college system of presidential elections with rules guaranteeing election of the national popular vote winner...
were introduced in 2007, but they died in committee. A bill to study Virginia's methods of allocating electoral votes also died in committee. Virginia is commonly considered a swing state
Swing state
In United States presidential politics, a swing state is a state in which no single candidate or party has overwhelming support in securing that state's electoral college votes...
in the upcoming 2008 U.S. Presidential election, which could have interesting effects on the debate of any National Popular Vote bills in the General Assembly session convening in January 2008.
Approval voting
Approval voting
Approval voting is a single-winner voting system used for elections. Each voter may vote for as many of the candidates as the voter wishes. The winner is the candidate receiving the most votes. Each voter may vote for any combination of candidates and may give each candidate at most one vote.The...
appears to be prohibited by laws defining an "overvote" as follows: "'Overvote' means a ballot on which a voter casts a vote for a greater number of candidates or positions than the number for which he was lawfully entitled to vote and no vote shall be counted with respect to that office or issue".
Balloting methods
2007 also saw increased interest in voter verified paper ballots and other measures to regulate electronic voting machines. A bill to establish a pilot project to audit electronic equipment died in committee. HB 2707 was passed, requiring the phaseout of direct recording electronic devices and prohibiting wireless communication with voting machines.Absentee ballot
Absentee ballot
An absentee ballot is a vote cast by someone who is unable or unwilling to attend the official polling station. Numerous methods have been devised to facilitate this...
rights have been expanded in recent years as well. However, a bill to grant absentee ballots without requiring an excuse (e.g. having to work/commute at least 11 hours between 6 AM and 7 PM) was defeated in 2006 and again in 2007 as was a bill to allow pregnant women to vote absentee
Initiative and referendum
Currently, referenda can be submitted to the people only when authorized by statute or charter. The Code specifies numerous types of referenda that voters may petition for, such as a referendum to abolish a county police force. With those exceptions, however, voters cannot propose their own referenda. In 1914, an I&R bill was passed by the House of Delegates but failed in the Senate. The Hampton, VirginiaHampton, Virginia
Hampton is an independent city that is not part of any county in Southeast Virginia. Its population is 137,436. As one of the seven major cities that compose the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, it is on the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula. Located on the Hampton Roads Beltway, it hosts...
city charter has an I&R provision, however.
Redistricting
Democrats controlled the Virginia General Assembly for decades, but Republicans gained control at the close of the 20th century and have used their power to gerrymander districts in their favor, just as the Democrats did. Proposals to establish a redistricting commissionRedistricting commission
A redistricting commission is a body designated to draw electoral district lines. Usually the intent is to avoid gerrymandering by specifying a nonpartisan or bipartisan body to comprise the commission. However, some of these commissions, much like some state boards of election, are set up to give...
or put redistricting in the hands of retired judges have failed. In 2007, a bill was introduced to draw district lines on the basis of political subdivisions and to ban the consideration of incumbency; this bill died in committee.
Prospects for future reform
Any statewide electoral reform bill must be approved by Privileges and Elections committees in the Virginia House of DelegatesVirginia House of Delegates
The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the...
and Virginia Senate. Lacey Putney, chair of the House committee, has been reluctant to embrace major changes to the system. Important players in the electoral reform movement include Virginia resident and Libertarian Party
Libertarian Party (United States)
The Libertarian Party is the third largest and fastest growing political party in the United States. The political platform of the Libertarian Party reflects its brand of libertarianism, favoring minimally regulated, laissez-faire markets, strong civil liberties, minimally regulated migration...
national chair Bill Redpath
Bill Redpath
William Redpath is the current Treasurer and immediate past National Chair of the United States Libertarian Party, first elected by delegates to the 2006 Libertarian National Convention in Portland, Oregon in July 2006...
and others associated with FairVote.