Virginia lawmakers have passed and enacted House Bill 113, a measure designed to strengthen protections against corruption in the state’s voter registration system. The bill, introduced in the 2026 Regular Session of the Virginia House of Delegates, amends the Code of Virginia to address new offenses related to bribing individuals to register to vote.
Delegate Dan Helmer served as the patron of the legislation. The core provision states that no person shall solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any money or any thing of value to influence his or another’s decision to register to vote. This extends the existing framework that already prohibits similar actions when it comes to influencing how a person actually casts their vote.
The specific section being amended is 24.2-1007 of the Code of Virginia. Prior to this update, the statute focused on offenses involving bribes to procure or influence a vote. The new language incorporates the registration stage, ensuring that the prohibition covers the full spectrum of electoral participation from the initial signup through to the ballot.
In addition to the main prohibition, the bill incorporates certain exceptions. These exceptions are designed to allow for standard practices in election campaigns and related activities without triggering the bribery statutes. For example, they may cover situations where compensation is provided for legitimate work in registration efforts that does not directly tie payment to the outcome of an individual’s registration decision.
The legislative journey of the bill saw it advance through multiple stages with notable support. The House of Delegates approved the original version by a substantial margin of 95 votes in favor to 3 against. Upon reaching the Senate, a substitute amendment in the nature of a substitute was proposed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections. This substitute version was then passed by the Senate in a 22 to 17 vote.
Following these approvals, the bill was enrolled and sent to the governor for consideration. The governor signed the legislation into law.
This development in Virginia election law serves to reinforce the principle that voter registration should occur based on free will and without financial motivation. The penalties for violating the new provisions align with those for other election-related offenses, potentially including misdemeanor or felony classifications depending on the facts of the case.
Election officials across the state will now have enhanced authority to investigate and prosecute any attempts to use monetary incentives in registration drives. This helps maintain the accuracy of voter registration lists by reducing the risk of artificial inflation through paid inducements.
The bill’s emphasis on both soliciting and accepting such bribes creates a two-way deterrent. It targets not only those who might offer payments to encourage registration but also those who might seek or accept such payments to alter their registration choices.
By updating the code section, the legislation ensures consistency in how bribery is treated throughout the election timeline. This consistency is important for clarity in enforcement and for educating the public about prohibited behaviors.
During the session, the measure received consideration in the Privileges and Elections committees of both the House and Senate. The Senate substitute likely included adjustments to the language to address concerns raised during committee deliberations, resulting in the final form that was approved.
The passage of this bill underscores the ongoing efforts by Virginia’s legislative body to adapt election laws to contemporary challenges. With voter registration being a critical entry point into the democratic process, protecting it from bribery helps preserve the overall fairness and trustworthiness of elections in the commonwealth.
Candidates, political parties, and nonprofit organizations involved in voter outreach will need to review their practices to ensure full compliance with the updated prohibitions. Proper documentation and transparency in any compensation related to registration activities will be essential to avoid inadvertent violations.
The exceptions clause in the bill provides necessary flexibility. Without them, routine activities like paying canvassers for their time or covering costs of materials could be misinterpreted as bribes. The bill carefully delineates what remains permissible.
In summary, House Bill 113 represents a targeted enhancement to Virginia’s election code. Its enactment provides a stronger legal foundation for combating undue influence in voter registration, contributing to the state’s reputation for secure and reliable electoral procedures. The measure closes potential gaps in existing statutes by extending anti-bribery rules to the registration phase, ensuring that the process remains voluntary and free from external financial pressures. Lawmakers recognized the importance of addressing this area to support accurate and trustworthy voter rolls throughout the commonwealth. The high level of support in the House of Delegates demonstrated broad agreement on the need for these safeguards in the electoral system. The Senate’s review and approval of a refined substitute version further refined the language to promote effective implementation. As the law takes effect, it equips authorities with clearer guidelines for handling any violations involving the exchange of value for registration decisions. This step forward in Virginia’s legal framework for elections emphasizes the value placed on maintaining the integrity of every stage in the voting process. Organizations conducting registration activities must now operate with greater awareness of the boundaries set by the updated code section to avoid any prohibited conduct. The balanced inclusion of exceptions allows for continued legitimate outreach efforts while targeting clear instances of bribery. Overall, the legislation strengthens the tools available to uphold fair practices in voter enrollment across the state.
