Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 1056: Voter registration by political party affiliation; partially closed primary elections.
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 1056 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 14, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Voter registration by political party affiliation; partially closed primary elections. Primary sponsor: Eric Phillips (Republican). Most recent recorded action (February 18, 2026): Left in Committee Privileges and Elections.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Voter registration by political party affiliation; partially closed primary elections. Adds party affiliation, beginning January 1, 2027, to the information that an applicant is asked to provide when registering to vote. The applicant may indicate that he is an independent. The bill specifies that voters registered prior to January 1, 2027, will be designated as independent unless they provide a political party affiliation to the general registrar. Voters may change their political party affiliation or independent status by written notice at any time before the registration records are closed prior to an election. The bill also provides that voters who are on the permanent absentee voter list will receive primary ballots for the political party with which they are registered as affiliated. Finally, the bill requires the state party chairman of each political party to file written notice with the State Board of Elections by January 31 of each year stating the rules adopted by the duly constituted authorities of the state political party for participation in the party's primaries to be held from April 1 of that year through March 31 of the following year.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eric Phillips | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 48 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Left in Committee Privileges and Elections
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1056)
- Subcommittee recommends striking from the docket (8-Y 0-N)
- Assigned HPE sub: Campaigns and Candidates
- Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
- Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103816D