Senate Bill 94 (Providing persons with physical disabilities ability to vote by electronic absentee ballot) has passed both the Senate and the House of Delegates. Now it goes to the Governor to await a signature into law.
The primary purpose of the law is to allow people with significant physical limitations to vote by absentee ballot, rather than requiring them to obtain special permission. The bill also allows for electronic abstentee ballots. These are available to people with physical limitations and those who are service members or family stationed overseas.
Voting is a foundational right. People who are functionally denied that right due to impairments are often those most in need of a voice in government. So this is an important piece of legislation to remove barriers to participation in our democracy.
