Last November, voters in a half-dozen localities across Virginia received telephone calls that were supposedly from the “Virginia Elections Commission.” They were told–falsely–that their voting places had changed.
At least one Northern Virginia voter received a call, again from the fictional “Virginia Elections Commission,” telling him that since he was registered to vote in New York, he would be “charged criminally” if he voted in Virginia.
There is, of course, no Virginia Elections Commission. Readers of this blog know that any information from a local, state, or federal official will always be in writing, and will always clearly identify the official source.
But voters–especially less-educated voters, or those who do not customarily interact with government–do not always know that. These stories should cause us all concern. Virginia has a tradition of well-run elections, and we must respond quickly when there are challenges to our most important right.
HB 1835, which was heard in a subcommittee today, will make it illegal for anyone to communicate false information to a voter with the intention of impeding his or her voting. I’m pleased to say that with a little (welcome) rewording, the subcommittee seems to support the idea.
We in Virginia have not yet seen the abuses that occurred in other states. Passing HB 1835 will keep it that way.
This should be a felony, not a misdemeanor.
Baby steps, baby steps. I have faced too many Courts subcommittees who would not make something a felony. Criminalizing it is an important step–and it will not be an inconsequential monetary fine, which should be a deterrent as well.
I’d be interested in seeing who opposes this new piece of legitslation, which is long overdue. Richmond Democrat has a point-why isn’t a feloney?