Virginia Election Bill Draws Fire Online — What HB 968 Actually Does

By VABayNews Staff

A newly introduced election bill in Virginia has ignited a firestorm on social media, with viral posts claiming Democrats are “banning hand-counting of ballots” to undermine election transparency. The bill in question — House Bill 968 — is real, but the most extreme claims do not match what the legislation actually says.

HB 968 was introduced during the 2026 Regular Session of the Virginia General Assembly by Delegate Marcia S. “Cia” Price, a Democrat representing parts of Newport News and Hampton. As of January 20, the bill’s status is “Committee Referral Pending,” meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on.

What the Bill Does

HB 968 amends Section 24.2-654 of the Code of Virginia, which governs how election officials handle ballots after polls close. The bill:

• Requires machine-readable paper ballots — the standard optical-scan ballots used statewide — to be counted using ballot scanner machines.
• Prohibits hand-counting of those machine-readable ballots unless such hand counting is specifically authorized elsewhere in Virginia law.

The bill does not eliminate all hand-counting. Existing Virginia statutes already allow manual counts in defined situations, including:

• Recounts in close elections
• Post-election audits, including risk-limiting audits
• Equipment malfunctions or tabulation failures

Those provisions remain intact under HB 968.

Why It’s Controversial

Opponents argue the bill could limit flexibility and reduce public confidence, particularly among voters who favor broader hand-counting as a transparency measure. They see the language as tightening control over how ballots are reviewed, even if exceptions technically remain.

Supporters counter that HB 968 simply standardizes existing practice: machines perform the initial count for speed and consistency, while hand counts are reserved for audits, recounts, or emergencies. Election administrators have long argued that large-scale hand counts are slower, more labor-intensive, and more prone to human error.

How Virginia Elections Work Today

Virginia already uses a paper-based voting system with optical scanners. Voters mark paper ballots, which are scanned and tabulated by machines. Paper records are retained, audited, and can be manually reviewed when required by law. HB 968 reinforces this structure rather than replacing it.

What Happens Next

The bill is expected to be referred to the House Committee on Privileges and Elections. If it advances, it would need approval from both chambers of the legislature and the signature of Glenn Youngkin to become law.

Bottom Line

HB 968 does not abolish hand counts in Virginia elections, nor does it end audits or recounts. It clarifies that machine-readable ballots are normally counted by scanners, while preserving existing legal pathways for manual review.

The debate over election transparency is legitimate — but it should be grounded in what the bill actually says, not what viral posts claim it means.

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