MJ Muse

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1 week ago

Alarm bells sound over Trump’s ‘take over the voting’ call Democracy experts say there is little doubt about president’s desire to interfere in elections this November

Trump is trying to steal the midterms, and we can stop him. #VirginiaElections

That’s why we need to vote YES on April 21st → IWillVote.com www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/07/trum...

Allie

@allieillustrated.bsky.social

3 weeks ago

Ex-reality TV star from Falls Church to primary Sen. Mark Warner | ARLnow.com Another candidate has entered a challenge against Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) in the lawmaker's first primary election in his 18 years on the Senate. Mark Moran, a former reality television star and Wall...

Let’s get @markwarner.bsky.social out of here, Virginia!!! Check out @itsmarkmoran.bsky.social #primarymarkwarner #virginiaelections

Citizen Portal News Virginia

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3 weeks ago

Delegates debate and pass bill allowing injunctive relief for alleged defamatory election media; critics warn of prior restraint The House approved a Senate-origin bill that would allow candidates to seek expedited injunctive relief for allegedly defamatory media within 30 days of an election; critics on the floor warned it could enable court shopping and prior restraint, but the bill passed on a recorded vote.

Virginia's House just passed a controversial bill allowing candidates to silence allegedly defamatory media just weeks before elections, raising serious First Amendment concerns!

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#VA #CitizenPortal #ElectionIntegrity #FreeSpeech #VirginiaElections #MediaAccountability

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1 month ago

Committee backs bill letting local registrars accept small gifts up to $1,000 A bill to allow registrars to accept small gifts and funding (set at a $1,000 threshold) to cover routine operations advanced after supporters said it would help under-resourced local election offices while preserving oversight for larger donations.

A new bill in Virginia is set to empower local election registrars by allowing them to accept small gifts and funding up to $1,000, ensuring they can better manage operations amid growing challenges.

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#VA #CitizenPortal #CivicEngagement #VirginiaElections #ElectionFunding

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1 month ago

State Board of Elections certifies Feb. 10 special election results and outlines referendum timetable The State Board of Elections unanimously certified Feb. 10 special-election results for Senate District 39 and House District 5; staff described checks performed and the Department clarified it has no role in writing the April 21 referendum question and will execute any law set by the General Assembly.

The State Board of Elections has officially certified the results of the recent special elections, paving the way for an important statewide referendum this April!

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#VA #CitizenPortal #ElectionTransparency #CivicEngagement #VoterEducation #VirginiaElections

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1 month ago

Joint P&E committee adopts voter explanation for HJR 4 after brief amendment and debate The joint Privileges and Elections Committee approved the voter explanation that will accompany House Joint Resolution 4 on redistricting, adopting a last-minute amendment clarifying that the proposed district map "has been approved by the General Assembly." The explanation will be posted by the Department of Elections if approved.

The Privileges and Elections Committee just approved a crucial voter explanation for the redistricting amendment, but concerns linger about its neutrality and intent.

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#VA #RedistrictingReform #CivicParticipation #CitizenPortal #VoterEducation #VirginiaElections

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1 month ago

Committee approves bill requiring disclosure for synthetic-media political ads, adopts language to cover staged recordings SB 141 would require electioneering communications using synthetic or materially altered audio or video to include disclosure; the committee adopted a line amendment to cover staged or recreated events and reported the bill.

Virginia's Senate committee just approved a groundbreaking bill that mandates clear labeling for political ads featuring manipulated media—are we finally stepping up transparency in elections?

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#VA #AIEthics #CitizenPortal #VoterEducation #VirginiaElections #MediaTransparency

Citizen Portal News US

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1 month ago

Witness, Lawmaker Debate Whether 'Make Elections Great Again' Bill Curbs Ballot Harvesting At a House Administration Committee hearing, an unidentified member defended the "Make Elections Great Again" bill against comparisons to Jim Crow while attorney witness Mister Noble told lawmakers current penalties don’t deter fraud and said the bill would curb ballot harvesting and improve voter security.

A heated debate at a House hearing questions whether the "Make Elections Great Again" bill truly protects voting access or risks reviving discriminatory practices.

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#US #CivicAccountability #VotingAccess #CitizenPortal #ElectionSecurity #VirginiaElections

Citizen Portal News Virginia

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1 month ago

Votes at a glance: Privileges & Elections Subcommittee advances a suite of election bills The subcommittee reported a set of election-related bills (HB 82, HB 505, HB 972, HB 630, HB 319, HB 215, HB 111, HB 1483, and carried/struck administrative items). Outcomes and recorded tallies are summarized below.

The Virginia House Privileges & Elections Subcommittee just advanced a series of pivotal election bills that could reshape voting in the state!

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#VA #CivicParticipation #VotingTransparency #CitizenPortal #ElectoralReform #VirginiaElections

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1 month ago

State Board of Elections certifies Fairfax special election for 17th District The State Board of Elections voted to certify abstracts and sign certificates for a recent Fairfax County special election for the 17th District seat in the Virginia House of Delegates after staff review and canvass procedures; the certification enables the winner to be seated.

The State Board of Elections has officially certified the results of the Fairfax County special election, paving the way for a new member to join the Virginia House of Delegates!

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#VA #DemocraticProcess #CivicParticipation #CitizenPortal #VirginiaElections

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1 month ago

State board defers certification of Fairfax special election after local returns delayed The State Board of Elections deferred certification of the Jan. 20 House of Delegates District 17 special election in Fairfax County because local returns were not yet available; staff recommended adjourning day-to-day under Virginia law until abstracts arrive.

The Virginia State Board of Elections has hit a pause on certifying the special election results for House District 17 due to missing local returns, leaving the outcome in limbo.

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#VA #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #ElectionTransparency #LocalGovAction #VirginiaElections

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1 month ago

Committee advances slate of elections bills; provisional-ballot guidance and voting-rights changes among measures approved The House Privileges and Elections Committee reported or passed a package of elections bills covering provisional-ballot cure periods, voting-rights restoration on release, campaign ad disclosure for synthetic media (continued), firearms near polling places, and several administrative measures. A recorded 'votes at a glance' list follows.

Virginia's House Privileges and Elections Committee is shaking up the voting landscape with a series of impactful bills that could redefine voter rights and election integrity!

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#VA #CivicAccountability #ElectionReform #CitizenPortal #VirginiaElections #VotingRights

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1 month ago

Committee passes National Popular Vote bill after extended testimony The House Privileges and Elections Committee approved HB965, entering Virginia into the National Popular Vote compact, after extended testimony from a national advocate and a recorded committee vote of 14–8. Supporters said it aligns presidential results with the national popular vote; opponents raised questions during Q&A.

Virginia's House committee has just taken a pivotal step towards aligning the presidency with the national popular vote, but what does this mean for future elections?

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#VA #VotingAccountability #CivicParticipation #CitizenPortal #ElectoralReform #VirginiaElections

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2 months ago

Committee reports substitute creating permanent absentee list and tightening certification duties A substitute to SB831 would automatically add voters registered after July 1, 2027 to a permanent general-election absentee list unless they opt out, and clarifies that electoral boards' certification duties are ministerial; the committee reported the substitute after mixed testimony on voter autonomy and administrative obligations.

A new bill in Virginia could automatically enroll voters into a permanent absentee ballot list, sparking a heated debate over voter autonomy and electoral integrity.

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#VA #VotingAccess #CivicParticipation #CitizenPortal #ElectionIntegrity #VirginiaElections

Citizen Portal News Virginia

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2 months ago

Substitute for HB235 would let localities pilot "super precincts" and vote centers; Chesterfield outlines savings A substitute to House Bill 235 would authorize a permissive pilot for "super precincts" where voters can use any vote center within the super precinct; Chesterfield Electoral Board testified the model could reduce precincts (78 → 20) and save resources, though staffing and upfront equipment costs were raised as concerns.

A new proposal could revolutionize voting in Virginia by allowing "super precincts" to streamline the process and cut costs, but what challenges lie ahead?

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#VA #VotingAccess #VirginiaElections #ElectionReform #CitizenPortal #CivicParticipation

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2 months ago

Senate committee reports bill to fund April 21, 2026 special election for constitutional amendment The committee voted to report House Bill 13 84 (identical to Senate Bill 7 69), which schedules a special election on April 21, 2026, and appropriates funds—$100,000 each to two legislative services divisions and $5 million to the Department of Elections—to cover election and locality costs. The measure was reported out by roll call (ayes 8, noes 4).

Virginia's Senate committee just greenlit a bill that could reshape the state's voting landscape with a special election set for April 21, 2026, backed by a $5 million budget!

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#VA #VirginiaElections #ConstitutionalAmendments #ElectionFunding #CitizenPortal #CivicParticipation

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2 months ago

Votes at a glance: committee moves dozens of election bills, many passed unanimously or by clear margins The subcommittee reported numerous bills, with key outcomes: HB 28 reported and referred to Appropriations (15–7); HB 78 reported with amendments (22–0); HB 968 reported as substituted (16–6); HB 1244 (22–0); HB 1321 (21–1); and several others—see full list below.

The House Privileges and Elections Subcommittee made significant strides in election reform, with many bills passing by overwhelming margins!

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#VA #VirginiaElections #LegislativeTransparency #VotingReform #CitizenPortal #CivicParticipation

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2 months ago

House Privileges and Elections subcommittee advances several voting bills, including scanner mandate with limited hand‑count exceptions The subcommittee reported a package of election-related bills, advancing measures that restrict pre-election voter‑roll removal programs, require ballot scanners for counting with narrow exceptions for hand counts, expand emergency absentee procedures, and refer multiple bills to appropriations.

Virginia's House Privileges and Elections Subcommittee is shaking up the voting process with new measures that could change the way ballots are counted and how absentee voting is handled!

Learn more here!

#VA #VotingAccess #VirginiaElections #ElectionReform #CitizenPortal #CivicAccountability

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2 months ago

Ranked-choice voting bill (SB176) reported out of committee after mixed testimony SB176 — which would allow towns to use ranked-choice voting, establish standards and remove the sunset — advanced out of committee after proponents emphasized local control and opponents warned of voter confusion and cost; the committee vote was 8–5 with 1 abstention.

Virginia's Senate has advanced a pivotal bill that could transform local elections through ranked-choice voting, sparking a heated debate over voter education and costs.

Read the full story

#VA #VoterEducation #VirginiaElections #ElectionReform #LocalControl #CitizenPortal

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2 months ago

Committee backs bill to let treasurers report large late contributions the next day HB 1348 would let candidates report large contributions received the night before an election by 11:59 the following day to avoid fines on volunteer treasurers. The committee recommended the bill 6–1 after public testimony from campaign treasurers and counsel clarification about same-day filings earlier on election day.

Virginia's House Bill 1348 aims to lighten the load for volunteer treasurers by allowing them an extra day to report large contributions received the night before elections.

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#VA #VirginiaElections #ElectionReform #CitizenPortal #VolunteerSupport #CampaignTransparency

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2 months ago

Senate Privileges & Elections committee advances slate of elections bills, hears three gubernatorial nominees The Senate committee heard three administration nominees and considered a wide range of elections bills — from ranked-choice voting and Sunday voting to a 90-day quiet period for voter-roll maintenance. Several measures were reported to the floor while others were carried over for further study.

Major changes could be on the horizon for Virginia's voting process, including ranked-choice voting and expanded early voting options!

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#VA #VotingAccess #VirginiaElections #ElectionReform #CitizenPortal #CivicParticipation

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2 months ago

Senate approves appropriations and constitutional-amendment package after hours of debate over retroactive repeal of Va. Code §30-13 Senate Bill 7 69, an appropriation and constitutional-amendment package that includes $5 million to the Department of Elections and language repealing Va. Code §30‑13 retroactive to 1971, passed after extended floor debate about notice, retroactivity and venue for related lawsuits.

The Virginia Senate has just passed a controversial bill that not only allocates $5 million for election costs but also retroactively repeals a decades-old law, sparking intense debate over its constitutionality.

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#VA #VirginiaElections #ConstitutionalAmendments

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2 months ago

Delegate Williams introduces bill to slow special-election referendum, accusing Democrats of rushing process Delegate Williams (Patrick County) introduced the Ballot Question Fairness and Transparency Act to delay a $5 million appropriation tied to a special-election referendum, accusing Democratic leaders of rushing ballot language and voter education; Democrats replied the timeline follows House rules and supports the appropriation to offset local costs.

Delegate Williams is shaking up Virginia politics by introducing a bill to slow down a rushed $5 million special-election referendum, sparking a fierce debate over voter transparency and accountability.

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#VA #VoterEducation #VirginiaElections #PoliticalAccountability

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2 months ago

House committee reports bill adding $5 million for elections and temporary redistricting authority to ballot A House committee voted 15–7 to report House Bill 1384, which adds $5 million for the Department of Elections, two $100,000 legislative-service allocations and a temporary redistricting authorization contingent on a constitutional amendment and an April special election.

Virginia's House committee just voted to allocate $5 million for elections and grant temporary redistricting power, but it all hinges on voter approval!

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#VA #VotingAccess #RedistrictingReform #VirginiaElections #CitizenPortal #CivicParticipation

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2 months ago

Subcommittee backs substitute to bar election-day challenges at polling places The subcommittee reported as substituted HB 640 to prohibit voter eligibility challenges at polling places on election day, moving challenges into pre- or post-election processes; supporters said the change reduces disruption and inconsistent application across localities.

Delegate Delia Krizak's bold proposal aims to eliminate voter challenges at polling places, shifting the focus to pre-election verification and reducing chaos on Election Day.

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#VA #ElectionIntegrity #VotingAccess #VirginiaElections #CitizenPortal #CivicParticipation

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2 months ago

Subcommittee rejects bill to add birth year and last-four SSN to same-day affirmation statement House Bill 1213, which would have required in-person voters without ID to provide birth year and the last four digits of their Social Security number on an affirmation statement, failed in the Elections Administration Subcommittee after public testimony split between election officers citing fraud risks and the League of Women Voters warning the change could deter legitimate voters.

A controversial bill aimed at tightening voter ID requirements was rejected, sparking a heated debate on election integrity versus accessibility.

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#VA #ElectionIntegrity #VirginiaElections #VoterAccess #CitizenPortal #CivicParticipation

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2 months ago

Votes at a glance: outcomes from Elections Administration Subcommittee Summary of recorded subcommittee actions on the nine-item docket, including votes and outcomes for each house bill presented.

The Elections Administration Subcommittee just wrapped up a pivotal session with key votes on absentee voting, machine-readable ballots, and more—what does this mean for Virginia's election process?

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#VA #VotingAccess #VirginiaElections #ElectionReform #CitizenPortal

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2 months ago

Panel advances bills extending time to cure absentee and provisional ballots, adds phone/email notification The subcommittee approved HB 773 (moving absentee cure deadline to noon the Monday after the election) and HB 774 (extending provisional cure deadlines and adding telephone/email notification if available) after testimony from New Virginia Majority and registrar associations; both passed 6-1.

Virginia is making strides to protect voters by extending deadlines for curing absentee and provisional ballots, but not everyone is on board.

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#VA #VotingAccess #VirginiaElections #ElectionReform #CivicEngagement #CitizenPortal

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2 months ago

Committee reports bill setting deadlines for candidate-qualification challenges Senate Bill 169 would set deadlines for legal challenges to a candidate’s paperwork and administrative qualifications to avoid post‑voting disruptions; the Privileges and Elections Committee reported the bill 8–7 after supporters described a Fairfax County incident motivating the change.

Senate Bill 169 aims to streamline candidate qualification challenges to prevent voting chaos, sparked by a messy incident in Fairfax County.

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#VA #ElectionIntegrity #VirginiaElections #LegalReform #CitizenPortal #CivicParticipation

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2 months ago

Committee rejects sync-of-primary-dates bill, citing registrar concerns Senate Bill 76, which would align primary dates in presidential years to a single primary, failed to report out of the Privileges and Elections Committee on a recorded 6–9 vote after members raised concerns about timing and voter confusion.

A proposed bill to streamline primary elections in Virginia has been shot down, raising questions about voter confusion and administrative challenges.

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#VA #VirginiaElections #BipartisanSupport #VotingEfficiency #VoterConfusion #CitizenPortal