SB 52 Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Voter registration; regular periodic review of registration records.

Summary
Voter registration; regular periodic review of registration records. Requires the Department of Elections to complete not later than 90 days prior to the date of a primary or general election any program the purpose of which is to systematically remove the names of ineligible voters from the voter registration system based on evidence of ineligibility, including evidence of lack of eligible residence or evidence of noncitizenship. This restriction is not to be construed to preclude (i) the removal of names from the voter registration system at the request of the registrant or as provided by existing law by reason of criminal conviction or mental incapacity or the death of the registrant if the triggering conviction, incapacity order, or death occurred within 120 days of the election or (ii) the correction of details, such as name and address, in a voter's registration record that does not result in the removal of a voter from the voter registration system. Under current law, such restriction only applies to federal primaries and federal general elections. The bill also provides a process for confirming a voter's citizenship status prior to cancellation based on a report of non-citizen status and extends (a) the period of time registrars have to cancel registrations from 30 days to 60 days after notification of the need to cancel by the Department of Elections and (b) the period of time a registered voter has to respond to a notice of cancellation related to citizenship status from 14 days to 28 days.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Governor
Introduced Nov 24, 2025 Last action Mar 10, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Privileges and Elections Substitute · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended from its original introduction to a substitute version, primarily adding procedural details and clarifying the 90-day quiet period requirement for voter registration reviews. The substitute version includes new definitions for systematic review processes and extends certain protections for recently convicted individuals or those incapacitated near election time.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on voter registration administration, but the substitute version adds specific procedural requirements for how voter eligibility reviews must be conducted and what exceptions apply to the 90-day review window.
TIMELINE

Extended the protection period for removing names of voters convicted of felonies or adjudicated incapacitated from 30 days to 120 days before an election, preventing removal of these voters if the triggering event occurred within that timeframe.

DEFINITION

Added a definition of 'systematic' review to clarify that it means computerized data-matching or non-individualized review, distinguishing it from individualized case-by-case reviews.

REQUIREMENT

Clarified that the 90-day quiet period applies specifically to programs based on third-party submissions that use systematic review methods, rather than all voter registration reviews.

Added language requiring that systematic removal programs be based on evidence of ineligibility, specifically including lack of eligible residence or noncitizenship.

ENFORCEMENT

Modified the exception for criminal conviction or mental incapacity to specify that removal is precluded if the conviction, incapacity order, or death occurred within 120 days of the election.

Floor votes · Senate Jan 29, 2026

How they voted

390
Passed
Total votes 39
Jan 29, 2026
D Democratic20
20 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican19
19 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
23
Key actions
6
Committee
7
Feb 26, 2026
Committee
Assigned HAPP sub: General Government and Capital Outlay
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Committee
Rereferred to Appropriations
lower
Feb 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Appropriations (15-Y 7-N)
lower
Feb 5, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Appropriations
lower
Feb 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
upper
Jan 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day
upper
Jan 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
upper
Jan 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Privileges and Elections with substitute (8-Y 6-N)
upper
Jan 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate committee offered
upper
Nov 24, 2025
Committee
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Aaron Rouse
Aaron Rouse
DDemocratic
VA
22