Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Elections
 
Board
State Board of Elections
 
chapter
Voter Registration [1 VAC 20 ‑ 40]
Chapter is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Action 2015 Voter Registration Application Regulation and Form Update
Stage Proposed
Comment Period Ended on 8/3/2015
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8/3/15  8:21 pm
Commenter: Davide Marney

Proposed changes will reduce data quality
 

I do not understand proposed change #2, to give applicants the "benefit of the doubt" if they cannot be contacted regarding an incomplete application. If an application is incomplete, then it does not have the required information, by definition. What "doubt" can be given in this case? The Registrar cannot make up the missing information on behalf of the voter, and a voter who is not completely registered is not registered, period.  This sounds like an invitation to make up applicant data, maybe even whole applicants.  Define your standard of completeness one way or the other, and then enforce it. I've never heard of a standard that didn't have to be enforced, that's no "standard" at all.

The other actions to not require voters to positively indicate that they are eligible to vote as non-felons and US citizens is another ill-advised change that will harm data quality, and fail to implement the will of the Assembly.  It is important that potential voters know what is required of them in order to vote.

CommentID: 41975