Delegate Williams introduces bill to slow special-election referendum, accusing Democrats of rushing process

Delegate Williams (Patrick County) on Thursday accused House Democrats of rushing a $5 million appropriation tied to a special-election referendum and introduced the Ballot Question Fairness and Transparency Act to slow the process.

Williams told the House the appropriation—cited in discussion of House Bill 1384—earmarks $5,000,000 “in order to have this special election” and to “educate the voters.” He argued that the current timetable and control of ballot language and educational materials by the Board of Elections risk producing misleading guidance for voters, and said his bill would create a nine-member independent commission to draft ballot language and preserve the 90-day timeline with a 10-day buffer before ballots are printed.

The matter, Williams said, arose after the Appropriations Committee considered referendum language on short notice. “Nobody had any notice, and nobody even saw what the language was gonna be,” he said, arguing the public had insufficient opportunity to review or comment on the proposed ballot question.

But Delegate Price (Newport News) defended the process, saying the House was “following the rules” and the sequence of actions is standard: a house joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment, enabling legislation describing implementation, and neutral explainer language produced by the Division of Legislative Services. Price said the appropriation is necessary when a special-election measure coincides with an already planned election and expressed explicit support for House Bill 1384 and the related appropriation to offset costs to localities.

Intervening comments underscored political stakes. Delegate Garrett (Buckingham) warned colleagues against hasty action on redistricting-related items and read a statement urging bipartisan opposition to gerrymandering; he urged members to consult the governor’s stated position before proceeding.

No formal floor vote on the underlying referendum language or Williams’s introduced measure occurred during Thursday’s morning hours. Later in the session, Delegate Herring (Alexandria) moved that the House adjourn and reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.; the motion carried and the House stood adjourned.

What’s next: Williams’s Ballot Question Fairness and Transparency Act was introduced from the floor; further committee consideration, referral, or scheduling would determine whether it becomes formal legislation or alters the timeline for the special-election appropriation.