State Board of Elections advances four‑year regulatory review, directs Department of Elections to begin amendment process
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Summary
The Virginia State Board of Elections reviewed its required four‑year regulatory assessment and voted to direct the Department of Elections to develop specific proposed amendments to multiple IVAC chapters, aiming to remove outdated references and improve clarity while preserving statutory limits on public access provisions.
The Virginia State Board of Elections on March 25 reviewed a statutorily required four‑year evaluation of its administrative regulations and directed the Department of Elections to develop proposed amendments to several IVAC chapters.
An agency official told the board the review examined whether regulations remain necessary, align with current law and practice, and are clear and implementable. Staff said the review identified chapters for removal, amendment or retention and recommended targeted revisions to update statutory citations, forms and procedural language, not to expand access beyond statutory authority. The memo cited public comments from stakeholders including the League of Women Voters and the Lynchburg city registrar that urged clarity and alignment with current law.
The board discussed the scope of changes and the timing for drafting proposed language. Members emphasized that the review phase does not require adoption of regulatory text but rather a determination of which chapters should move forward to the formal rulemaking stage. The board moved to direct the Department of Elections to submit the periodic review and to prepare proposed regulatory language for identified chapters including IVAC 20‑10, 20‑25, 20‑50, 20‑60, 20‑70 and 20‑80. The motion passed on a voice vote.
Board members asked staff to ensure public comment opportunities at the chapter level when proposed text is available and to highlight examples and summaries on the agency website to help local registrars and candidates follow any procedural changes. Staff said they will provide suggested regulatory language at a future meeting and noted that the agency must avoid creating requirements beyond what statute authorizes, for example on FOIA‑related provisions and public‑access expansions.
The board set follow‑up work on the item, with staff to return with proposed language and to coordinate public comment on each chapter once text is prepared. The board also scheduled routine agenda follow‑ups for May 1 to continue outstanding adjudications and procedural items.
