Petition to Restore Constitutional Integrity to Virginia's Voting System

Virginia Residents or Domiciles only 

Petition Title: Demand Immediate Reforms to Virginia's Voting Laws: Paper Ballots Only, Voter ID Enforcement, and Safeguards Against Fraud to Uphold Article II of the Virginia Constitution

To: Governor Glenn Youngkin, Members of the Virginia General Assembly, and the Virginia State Board of Elections

Regardless of political affiliations it is the right of the public to be able to elect their representative free from exploitive elements in the current voting systems thereby disenfranchisement all voters.  

Whereas, the Constitution of Virginia, in Article II, Section 2, mandates that "all elections by the people shall be by ballot," establishing the fundamental right to a secure, verifiable, and uniform voting process free from fraud or manipulation; and

Whereas, the same Article empowers the General Assembly to "regulate the time, place, manner, conduct, and administration of primary, general, and special elections" but only in ways "not inconsistent with this Constitution," requiring safeguards for "correction of illegal or fraudulent registrations" and "penalties for illegal, fraudulent, or false registrations" to ensure the integrity of the electoral process;

Whereas, Virginia's current voting laws, including the widespread use of electronic voting machines (such as direct recording electronic or DRE machines and ballot scanners), no-excuse absentee voting without strict request requirements, and lax enforcement of photo ID verification, deviate from these constitutional mandates by introducing unverifiable elements that erode public confidence and open avenues for potential exploitation and fraud;

Whereas, the bipartisan 2005 Commission on Federal Election Reform, co-chaired by former President Jimmy Carter and former Secretary of State James A. Baker III, explicitly warned that electronic voting systems lack transparency without auditable paper trails, and that vote-by-mail systems are "likely to increase the risks of fraud and of contested elections in other states, where the population is more mobile, where there is some history of troubled elections, or where the safeguards for ballot integrity are weaker"—precisely the conditions that have plagued Virginia's elections in recent cycles;

Whereas, these deviations undermine the equal protection of voting rights under both the Virginia Constitution and the U.S. Constitution's Fourteenth Amendment, disproportionately affecting trust in the system across all party affiliations and risking the legitimacy of future elections;

We, the undersigned citizens of Virginia and the United States, demand the immediate passage of legislation to restore a fair, secure, and party-neutral voting system that complies with our state's founding charter. Specifically, we call for the following reforms to be enacted before the 2026 elections:

1. Eliminate All Electronic Voting Machines: Mandate Hand-Marked Paper Ballots Only 
   Phase out DRE machines, ballot scanners, and any electronic tabulation systems in favor of uniform, hand-marked paper ballots that can be visually inspected, hand-counted if needed, and audited for accuracy. This ensures verifiable results without reliance on potentially exploitable software, directly aligning with the constitutional requirement for ballots that prevent fraud.

2. Enforce Same-Day Voting as the Standard 
   Limit in-person voting to Election Day only, with polls open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., to minimize logistical vulnerabilities and focus resources on secure, supervised polling sites. Early voting may be permitted in limited, monitored central locations, but no expanded multi-day options that dilute oversight.

3. Restrict Mail-In Voting to Requests Only  
   Require all absentee ballots to be requested individually by qualified voters (e.g., due to illness, military service, or out-of-state travel), with strict deadlines and signature verification. Prohibit automatic mailing of ballots to all registered voters, as this expands fraud risks in a mobile state like Virginia without adequate safeguards, as highlighted by the Carter-Baker Commission.

4. Implement Mandatory Valid Voter ID with Photo Verification  
   Enforce strict photo ID requirements for all in-person and absentee voting, accepting only a valid driver's license, state-issued ID card, U.S. passport, or other government-issued photo ID. Voters without ID must cast provisional ballots, with a short window (e.g., 48 hours) to provide verification. Electronic versions of ID (e.g., via apps) are insufficient—physical presentation is required to prevent impersonation and ensure identity confirmation, without exception for first-time voters beyond federal HAVA minimums.

These reforms will restore faith in Virginia's elections by prioritizing transparency, accountability, and equal access for all eligible voters, regardless of party. Failure to act perpetuates constitutional violations and invites further division. We urge swift legislative action, including public hearings and a special session if necessary, to implement these changes.

Signed,  
[Your Name]  
[Your City, Virginia]  
[Date]

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