STATE BILLVA HB 319PASSED

Back-end, opt-out automatic voter registration; work group to study implementation.

Secretary of Administration; work group on automatic voter registration. Directs the Department of Elections to convene a work group for the purpose of studying the implementation of back-end, opt-out automatic voter registration (AVR) in the Commonwealth. The work group shall include representatives of the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Virginia Information Technologies Agency, and the Office of the Attorney General, in addition to members of the House and Senate Committees on Privileges and Elections, general registrars, and organizations advocating for or working on voting rights and data privacy. The work group is tasked with considering the effectiveness, efficiency, and security of back-end, opt-out AVR as compared to Virginia's current front-end, opt-out process and identifying the costs and benefits of moving to such a system. The Secretary of Administration is required to submit a report of the work group's findings to the Chairs of the House and Senate Committees on Privileges and Elections by November 1, 2026. This bill is identical to SB 658.

Status: Passed; Signed or otherwise enacted
Status date: Apr 13, 2026; 213 days ago
Current chamber: House of Delegates
Session: 2026 Regular Session

VA HB 319 · PassedApr 13

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Bill details

Last action: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0589) · Apr 13, 2026

Bill history

Newest first.

Apr 13, 2026Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0589)

Apr 13, 2026Approved by Governor-Chapter 589 (effective 7/1/2026)

Apr 6, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB319)House

Mar 31, 2026Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

Mar 31, 2026Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026House

Mar 31, 2026Signed by SpeakerHouse

Mar 30, 2026Signed by PresidentSenate

Mar 30, 2026Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB319ER)House

Show 37 earlier actions

Mar 30, 2026EnrolledHouse

Mar 16, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB319)House

Mar 13, 2026Conference report agreed to by House (61-Y 31-N 0-A)House

Mar 13, 2026Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 16-N 0-A)Senate

Mar 13, 2026Conference Report released

Mar 12, 2026House Conferees: Hernandez, Price, CherryHouse

Mar 12, 2026Conferees appointed by HouseHouse

Mar 10, 2026Senate Conferees: Rouse, Deeds, Williams GravesSenate

Mar 10, 2026Conferees appointed by SenateSenate

Mar 9, 2026House acceded to requestHouse

Mar 6, 2026Senate requested conference committeeSenate

Mar 6, 2026Senate insisted on amendments (40-Y 0-N 0-A)Senate

Mar 4, 2026Senate substitute rejected by House (0-Y 96-N 0-A)House

Mar 2, 2026Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 19-N 0-A)Senate

Mar 2, 2026Engrossed by Senate - committee substituteSenate

Mar 2, 2026Privileges and Elections Substitute agreed toSenate

Mar 2, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB319)House

Feb 27, 2026Passed by for the daySenate

Feb 27, 2026Read third timeSenate

Feb 26, 2026Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)Senate

Feb 26, 2026Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)Senate

Feb 26, 2026Rules suspendedSenate

Feb 24, 2026Committee substitute printed 26108498D-S1Senate

Feb 24, 2026Senate committee offeredSenate

Feb 24, 2026Reported from Privileges and Elections with substitute (8-Y 7-N)Senate

Feb 18, 2026Referred to Committee on Privileges and ElectionsSenate

Feb 18, 2026Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)Senate

Feb 17, 2026Read third time and passed House (61-Y 35-N 0-A)House

Feb 16, 2026Read second time and engrossedHouse

Feb 15, 2026Read first timeHouse

Feb 13, 2026Reported from Privileges and Elections (15-Y 6-N)House

Feb 9, 2026Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 2-N)House

Feb 6, 2026Assigned HPE sub: Election AdministrationHouse

Feb 3, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB319)House

Jan 10, 2026Referred to Committee on Privileges and ElectionsHouse

Jan 10, 2026Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101442DHouse

Recorded votes

Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 2-N)Feb 9, 2026 · House · 5 yea · 2 nayPassed

Reported from Privileges and Elections (15-Y 6-N)Feb 13, 2026 · House · 15 yea · 6 nayPassed

Read third time and passed House (61-Y 35-N 0-A)Feb 17, 2026 · House · 61 yea · 35 nayPassed

Reported from Privileges and Elections with substitute (8-Y 7-N)Feb 24, 2026 · Senate · 8 yea · 7 nayPassed

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)Feb 26, 2026 · Senate · 40 yea · 0 nayPassed

Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 19-N 0-A)Mar 2, 2026 · Senate · 21 yea · 19 nayPassed

Senate substitute rejected by House (0-Y 96-N 0-A)Mar 4, 2026 · House · 0 yea · 96 nayFailed

Senate insisted on amendments (40-Y 0-N 0-A)Mar 6, 2026 · Senate · 40 yea · 0 nayPassed

Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 16-N 0-A)Mar 13, 2026 · Senate · 21 yea · 16 nayPassed

Conference report agreed to by House (61-Y 31-N 0-A)Mar 13, 2026 · House · 61 yea · 31 nayPassed

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Back-end, opt-out automatic voter registration; work group to study implementation.

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Back-end, opt-out automatic voter registration; work group to study implementation.

What it means for vendors

Bill details

Sponsors

Bill history

Recorded votes

Read the bill at the source

Start finding government buyers today.It's free.

Start finding government buyers today.
It's free.