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Subcommittee narrows language on incentives and voter-registration pay in HB 113
Summary
The subcommittee adopted an amendment to HB 113 clarifying that de minimis assistance at polling places is not intended to violate law and adding language to prohibit paying workers to run voter-registration drives; testimony supported the bill.
Delegate Helmer presented HB 113, noting concern about large-scale paid incentives tied to voter registration and citing an example where a $1,000,000 lottery was used to encourage sign-ups. The bill clarifies that small, de minimis assistance — such as food or water provided at polling locations — is not meant to run afoul of election law, while avoiding replication of high-dollar incentives.
Delegate JJ Singh offered a line-item amendment to add a prohibition against "paying a person a wage to conduct a voter registration drive." The amendment was accepted as a friendly change and adopted. Blair St. Leger Olsen of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters testified in support, explaining their organization runs large nonpartisan registration programs and supports clear rules to maintain public confidence in the integrity of registration efforts.
With the amendment accepted, the subcommittee reported HB 113 out by a recorded vote of 8–0.
