The VEBA Legislative Committee

The Virginia General Assembly meets every year from mid-January to late February or mid-March (depending on the year) and bills affecting the conduct of elections are filed in every session. The VEBA Legislative Committee is tasked with monitoring these bills, assessing their potential impact, and proposing VEBA positions in support or opposition. Policy decisions are the realm of the legislators, but few have the knowledge and experience to fully assess the consequences of their decisions on the conduct of elections.

The Legislative Committee is made up of volunteers who carefully review the wording of all election-related bills, assess the likely consequences on the election process should they become law and make recommendations to the VEBA leadership either in support or opposition to the proposals. Committee members work to promote VEBA positions on bills by calling, emailing, or visiting legislators and speaking at Privileges and Elections (P&E) committee meetings where the bills are debated. Personal views must be set aside when speaking on behalf of the association, but members are free to contact legislators to express their personal views.