PRESS RELEASE from Office of Governor Bob McDonnell
May 18, 2012

Governor McDonnell Signs SB 1 and HB 9 and Issues Executive Order
– Governor Directs State Board of Elections to Send Every Virginia Voter a Free Voter Card Between Now and Election Day –

Ensures All Virginia Voters Will Have ID to Vote in November

Governor: "We will be sending every voter in Virginia a free voter card between now and Election Day to ensure they have at least one form of ID to bring with them to the polls. On Election Day this year, every Virginia voter will have at least one valid ID."

Governor's Executive Order is Available Here

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell signed today legislation that the General Assembly sent him that will expand the forms of acceptable identification for voting, and change the procedure when someone votes without presenting identification, requiring them to vote provisionally and later present an approved ID to their local registrar through email, fax, mail, or hand delivery. Governor McDonnell also issued an executive order today directing the State Board of Elections to take a number of steps to implement this legislation. Among other things, the executive order directs the State Board of Elections to send every Virginia voter a voter card, a valid form of ID under state law, before Election Day, so that every registered Virginia voter has a valid ID to present at the polls.

Virginia's Voter ID law has been in place since 2000. This legislation only deals with individuals who do not bring an approved form of ID with them to the polls when voting.

"Open and secure elections are the cornerstone of a free democracy and are essential for citizens to have faith in their government," McDonnell said. "Every qualified citizen has the right to cast one vote. Not two votes; not zero votes. It is our duty as a democracy to ensure that is always the case. For a dozen years, Virginia has already required voters to bring identification to the polls. This legislation does two things. It increases the forms of identification that can be used for purpose of voting, while helping to further prevent voter fraud and ensuring Virginians that they can have faith that votes have not been fraudulently cast."

The executive order issued by the governor directs the State Board of Elections to take a number of steps regarding implementation of this legislation. First, the State Board of Elections will issue voter cards to every Virginia voter between now and Election Day. Second, the State Board of Elections will coordinate a public education campaign to help raise awareness about the need to bring an approved ID to the polling place on Election Day, and the process for obtaining a free voter card if someone does not have a form of ID. Third, the State Board of Elections will make clear that localities may contact voters who vote provisionally without an ID about the need to provide ID prior to noon on Friday after the election. Lastly, the State Board of Elections will collect data regarding provisional ballots cast and the number of voters who vote without an ID.

"The additional steps my administration will take to implement this legislation will ensure that no voter is overly burdened by the provisions included in this legislation," Governor McDonnell continued. "Some have argued that there are voters who do not have any form of ID to bring to the polls. For that reason, we will be sending every voter in Virginia a free voter card between now and Election Day to ensure they have at least one form of ID to bring with them to the polls. On Election Day this year, every Virginia voter will have at least one valid ID."

On April 9, 2012, the governor submitted a number of proposed amendments to the General Assembly to improve the legislation, and most were approved. One set of amendments would have created a system for simple signature comparison that would have allowed someone's vote to be cast without any follow up action required on the part of the voter; however, the General Assembly regrettably did not accept this set of amendments.

"While I think the legislation would have been improved with the signature comparison provision that would have virtually eliminated the need for nearly anyone to have to return with an ID later in the week, the legislation returned to me, coupled with the above additional steps to be implemented by executive order, is an important step in securing our elections and preventing any possible fraud," Governor McDonnell remarked. "I was pleased that the General Assembly approved my remaining amendments, particularly my proposal to extend the time a voter has to transmit or present their ID after Election Day until Friday at noon after the election."

Virginia first implemented a voter identification requirement in 2000. Virginia has never required, nor does this legislation require, photo identification to vote.

Under this legislation and existing law, the following are acceptable forms of ID for voting:

Virginia's current voter ID law commands broad compliance. While comprehensive statewide statistics are not available, a survey of localities from the last presidential and gubernatorial elections in 2008 and 2009 indicate a compliance rate of well over 99%. Only a handful of voters per precinct, on average, do not bring an approved ID document. The intensive voter education initiatives contained in this Executive Order will increase compliance and continue Virginia's tradition of honest elections. The Governor strongly encourages all voters to register and vote in the important elections this year.

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PRESS RELEASE from Republican National Lawyers Association

For Immediate Release
Today, May 18, 2012
Contact: Maya Noronha

Virginia Governor McDonnell Signs Voter ID Bill & Challenges Obama Justice Department

Washington, D.C. – The Republican National Lawyers Association (RNLA) today issued the following statement concerning the voter identification legislation signed by Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell:

“Governor McDonnell’s signature of this voter ID bill is a step in the right direction for the Commonwealth of Virginia and sends a message that the integrity of each and every vote matters,” said Michael Thielen, executive director of the Republican National Lawyers Association (RNLA). “The RNLA applauds Governor McDonnell for his leadership and support for election reform.”

In addition to signing the voter ID bill, Governor McDonnell signed an executive order.

Thielen added, “The executive order goes above and beyond addressing the concerns of opponents of voter ID, even though it has the support of Democrats, Republicans and Independents. Even liberal Democrats in Rhode Island and former President Jimmy Carter support measures such as this. Should the Obama Department of Justice attack this common sense law much like it has in South Carolina and Texas, it would remove any doubt that Attorney General Eric Holder is anything but an ideologue bent on opposing election reforms irrespective of the law.”

The order does the following: · Send every Virginia voter an identification card before Election Day; · Engage in a voter outreach campaign between now and the November general election to educate voters about the changes to Virginia’s voter identification requirements; and · Inform general registrars and electoral boards that they may contact individuals voting provisionally without an ID about the need to provide one.

For more information on this new law or voter ID generally, check the RNLA blog at http://rnla.org/Blogs/blogs/public/default.aspx

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PRESS RELEASE from ACLU of Virginia
May 18, 2012
ACLU Expresses Disappointment in Governor’s Decision to Sign Virginia Voter ID Bill
Governor’s attempt to reduce impact of bill through executive order falls short

Richmond, VA — The ACLU of Virginia today expressed dismay at Governor Bob McDonnell’s signing of a new law requiring Virginia voters to produce proof of identification at the polls or cast a provisional ballot.

McDonnell had attempted to amend the bill after it passed the House and Senate by allowing registrars to use a signature match in lieu of identification to determine the legitimacy of ballots.  But legislators rejected the governor’s amendment, leaving him with a choice of signing a bill he did not support or vetoing it.

Instead, the governor signed the bill and issued an executive order requiring new registration cards for all voters prior to the November elections and the collection of statistics to determine the impact of the bill on voters.

Critics of the bill, including the ACLU of Virginia, say that it will make voting more difficult in general and that it will have a disproportionate impact on minorities, the elderly and low-income persons, who are less likely to carry IDs.  In addition, the bill’s sole purpose is to fight voter impersonation fraud in Virginia, which by all accounts does not exist.

“The bill is still a bad bill that has no purpose other than to make it harder for everyone to vote in Virginia, but especially minorities, the elderly and low-income persons.

“We know the governor didn’t like the bill, which only deepens our disappointment in his decision to sign it,” added Willis.

Under Virginia’s existing law, voters without ID at the polls are allowed to sign a form affirming their identity and then cast a regular ballot.  It is a felony to lie on the form, and the penalty includes losing voting privileges for life without any possibility of reinstatement.  There is no history of anyone using the affirmation of identity form to commit voter fraud.  The new law takes effect July 1.

Contact: Kent Willis, Executive Director

PRESS RELEASES from Virginia State Board of Elections

For Immediate Release:
June 7, 2012
For More Information:
State Board of Elections
Nikki Sheridan

STATE BOARD APPROVES VOTER EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PLAN
~Plan Will Educate Virginia Voters on Recent Voter ID Law Changes~

RICHMOND, VA – At Tuesday’s Board meeting, the State Board of Elections (SBE) approved a comprehensive statewide voter education and outreach plan aimed at informing Virginia voters about upcoming changes to Virginia’s voter identification laws as we move towards the November election. The plan’s theme, “Are You Election Ready?”, will take a multi-faceted approach in reaching Virginia voters in all 134 localities throughout the Commonwealth on the voter identification changes and other important election information.

After signing House Bill 9 and Senate Bill 1, Governor McDonnell issued Executive Order No. 45 that directed SBE to develop an outreach plan that will assist in the successful implementation of the legislation and to ensure that it adds no “inconvenience, confusion, or hardship to the Commonwealth’s voters.” The Board’s approval of that plan called for in the Executive Order represents the official launch of SBE’s outreach efforts.

Through direct and continuous communication with voters, coordination with third-party stakeholders and local election officials, and continuous outreach to the media, the State Board of Elections will disseminate important information through a variety of mediums in order to ensure that Virginia voters are election ready this November.
Voters should anticipate Public Service Announcements (PSAs) appearing statewide via newspaper, television and radio starting in early fall. Additionally, SBE will utilize its website and social media such as Twitter and Facebook to reach voters.

In early fall, the State Board will mail new voter registration cards to all of Virginia’s approximately 4.7 million active registered voters. SBE will communicate important election-related information to voters in this mailing, including identification requirements and important election deadlines.

At the time of this release, State Board officials have begun to accumulate a list of interested third-parties, expand the agency’s media contact list, and develop Public Service Announcements. A copy of the outreach plan may be found at the following link: http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/webdocs/2012VoterOutreachPlan.pdf

Organizations wishing to partner with the State Board of Elections in its efforts should contact the agency at 804.864.8901 or 1.800.552.9745.

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For Immediate Release:
October, 3, 2012
For More Information:
Nikki Sheridan

Delivery of Voter Registration Cards Completed
State Board of Elections encourages voters who have not received their registration card to review their registration record

Richmond, VA- The State Board of Election (SBE) announced today the delivery of approximately 4.6 million registration cards mailed to registered voters over the past two weeks. SBE encourages voters who did not receive a voter registration card to review their registration record at www.SBE.Virginia.gov to ensure their information is up to date and note any changes to their polling place or precinct due to redistricting. Voters may also contact SBE at 1-800-552-9745 or their local general registrar to verify their registration information and speak to an official that will provide information on how voters can update their registration information, if necessary. A voter whose registration address is not current would likely have not received a voter registration card in the mail.

Voters who need to update their registration information have several options. A registration application is available at the State Board of Elections’ website for printing and mailing. Voters may also visit their local general registrar’s office, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and other state designated voter registration agencies and apply to register to vote or update their registration information. Upon an approved registration application or change of registration address or name request, the voter’s local general registrar will mail the voter a new registration card. Virginians have until October 15, 2012 to update their registration information, if necessary, or if unregistered, apply to register to vote.

SBE wants to remind voters that several forms of ID are acceptable for use at the polls in addition to the voter registration card. Voters are also only required to provide one acceptable form of identification. Additional acceptable forms of ID include: Valid Virginia driver's license; Military ID; any Federal, Virginia state or local government-issued ID; an employer issued photo ID card; a concealed handgun permit; a valid student ID issued by an institution of higher education in Virginia; a current utility bill, bank statement, government check or paycheck displaying the name and address of the voter; and a Social Security card. Voters should visit

www.SBE.Virginia.gov to review the voter ID requirements, including special ID requirements for some first time voters in a federal election who registered by mail.

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For Immediate Release: November 1, 2012
State Board of Elections

For More Information: Nikki Sheridan

State Board of Elections Enters Home Stretch of Statewide “Are You Election Ready?” Campaign

Richmond, VA – With Election Day just days away, the State Board of Elections (SBE) enters the final stretch of a comprehensive statewide voter education and outreach campaign aimed at informing Virginia voters about recent changes to Virginia’s voter identification laws. In an effort to reach all 134 localities and five million registered voters, the “Are You Election Ready?” campaign divided the state into five regions where various forms of media were distributed including print, radio, billboards, bus shelters, bus ads and television through the Virginia Association of Broadcasters.

After signing House Bill 9 and Senate Bill 1, Governor McDonnell issued Executive Order No. 45 that directed SBE to develop an outreach plan to assist in the successful implementation of the legislation and to ensure that it adds no “inconvenience, confusion, or hardship to the Commonwealth’s voters.” The voter outreach campaign has educated voters about the changes to Virginia’s voter identification requirements and other important changes to the law impacting elections in Virginia, including provisional ballot procedures for voters who do not show an acceptable form of identification on Election Day.

The campaign includes partnerships with various community, civic, advocacy and church organizations across the state to reach the public through grassroots and grasstops initiatives, participation in community events and festivals, sporting events, collegiate activities, professional and organizational meetings. The State Board of Elections has worked with community and civic organizations across the state to ensure the public is well informed.

Social media has been critical in reaching voters through Facebook and Twitter with over 100,000 weekly impressions. Message points include acceptable forms of identification, the registration deadline, absentee voter awareness and other election-related information. Public Service Announcements (PSAs) have also appeared statewide via newspapers, radio, television and major sporting events including NASCAR races in Richmond and Martinsville which saw over 160,000 attendees.

The State Board of Election’s budget for this effort included a statewide media buy for print, radio and outdoor advertisements. “Grassroots outreach has been a major component of our effort to reach voters of all cultures and backgrounds. We’ve canvassed urban communities, remote and rural areas of Virginia as well as the high-density populated areas of Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads, and the City of Richmond,” said Secretary Don Palmer.

The campaign ads features photos of everyday citizens of various cultures and backgrounds holding signs representing the type of voter identification they will take to the poll. An extended list of acceptable forms of identification, reminders of important deadlines, absentee voting information, and the SBE website and phone number, are all included in campaign advertisements.

In late-September, SBE mailed new voter registration cards to all of Virginia’s approximately 4.7 million active registered voters. SBE communicated important election-related information to voters in that mailing, including identification requirements and important election deadlines.