Virginia Senate Democrats push back on GOP proposals aimed at tightening voting laws

RICHMOND — A handful of Republican bills aimed at tightening voting restrictions died on Tuesday in a meeting of a state Senate committee controlled by Democrats, who hailed the outcome as a show of blue power in a largely red Richmond.

“Today, we let Virginia Republicans know that we aren’t backing down in our effort to protect every Virginian’s right to participate in our government, truly representing those who elect us,” said Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath), chairman of the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee.

The panel voted down bills that sought to require voters to present photo ID at the polls, require local registrars to verify Social Security numbers and other information before registering applicants as voters, and do away with same-day voter registration, which allows a voter to both register and cast a ballot on Election Day.

Sen. Mark D. Obenshain (R-Rockingham), who sponsored one of the voter ID bills, compared his proposed requirement to workplace restrictions favored by Democrats during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Since Dems want proof of vaccination for work, how can they possibly oppose reinstatement of the ID requirement for voting,” he tweeted ahead of the meeting.

Read the full story at The Washington Post / Laura Vozzella and Gregory Schneider / January 18, 2022

AP Photo / Steve Helber