Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 968: Election results; counting machine-readable ballots, processing absentee ballots.
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 968 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 13, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Election results; counting machine-readable ballots, processing absentee ballots. Primary sponsor: Cia Price (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (April 13, 2026): Approved by Governor-Chapter 718 (effective 7/1/2026).
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.
Election results; counting machine-readable ballots; processing absentee ballots. Requires ballot scanner machines to be used to count machine-readable ballots and prohibits such ballots from being counted by hand unless (i) the ballot scanner machine is inoperative, (ii) there is no other available scanner, and (iii) it would be unreasonable to wait for (a) the inoperative ballot scanner to be made operative or (b) an operative ballot scanner machine to be delivered to the polling place rather than hand counting the ballots. "Ballot scanner machine" and "machine-readable ballot" are defined terms under current law. The bill also provides that if, in the processing and counting of provisional and absentee ballots, any machine-readable ballot is damaged or defective, a team of election officials representing both parties shall make a true duplicate copy of such damaged ballot as a substitute for such damaged ballot. This bill has a delayed effective date of September 1, 2026.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cia Price | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 85 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Approved by Governor-Chapter 718 (effective 7/1/2026)
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
- Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
- Signed by Speaker
- Signed by President
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB968)
- Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB968ER)
- Enrolled
- Senate substitute agreed to by House (63-Y 32-N 0-A)
- Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
- Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute
- Privileges and Elections Substitute agreed to
Showing 12 most recent of 39 actions. Full history