Why 2/5: It establishes a long-term study, with a report due in over two years, rather than implementing immediate changes.
The Department of Elections will convene a work group to study the implementation of back-end, opt-out automatic voter registration in Virginia. This work group will assess the costs, benefits, and feasibility of such a system, with a report due by November 1, 2026, which could lead to significant changes in how citizens register to vote.
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Conferees appointed by House
Update
House Conferees: Hernandez, Price, Cherry
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Conference Report released
Cleared committee (favorable)
Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 16-N 0-A)
Cleared committee (favorable)
Conference report agreed to by House (61-Y 31-N 0-A)
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Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB319)
Enrolled
Enrolled
Passed a chamber
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB319ER)
Passed a chamber
Signed by President
This bill has passed its votes and is headed to the Governor's desk. You still have a say — the Governor's office reads messages before deciding whether to sign.
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Summarized from the official bill text (“Back-end, opt-out automatic voter registration; work group to study implementation.”) · Read the actual bill →
Passed a chamber
Signed by Speaker
Enrolled
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
Sent to the Governor
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
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Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB319)
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 589 (effective 7/1/2026)
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Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0589)