EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 13 (2026)
ENSURING SECURE, ACCURATE, AND FAIR ELECTIONS
By virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor under Article V of the Constitution of Virginia and under the laws of the Commonwealth, including, but not limited to, §§ 2.2-103 and 24.2-404 of the Code of Virginia, I hereby reaffirm Virginia's comprehensive approach to ensuring the integrity of our elections free from outside interference while ensuring that every eligible voter in the Commonwealth can register and cast their ballot without fear of being removed from the voter rolls, and thereby denied the right to vote, based on inaccurate information.
Importance of the Initiative
The sanctity of accurate, fair, open, and secure elections is core to our identity as Americans and Virginians. Virginia must lead the way by continuing to improve its election security processes to ensure all Virginia voters are able to successfully register to vote and cast their ballots. Virginia's election administrators must have access to the best information. The nonprofit, nonpartisan Electronic Registration Information Center ("ERIC") is a valuable tool to accurately maintain Virginia's voter rolls. ERIC currently has twenty-six (26) member states. These member states share information that helps ensure that only voters who are eligible to vote can vote. Virginia was one of the founding members of ERIC when former Governor Bob McDonnell joined in 2012. When Virginia withdrew from ERIC in May 2023, it became more difficult for Virginia's election administrators to obtain information to help maintain Virginia's voter rolls and otherwise engage in routine voter list maintenance (e.g., identifying voters who moved from Virginia to another state). Rejoining ERIC will provide Virginia election administrators with access to more accurate information, improving election integrity in Virginia.
Virginia currently relies on a transparent and robust voting process, including:
• 100% paper ballots, which provide a physical record of the voter's intent;
• Use of paper ballot counting machines;
• Strict chain of custody for ballots with daily reconciliation during early voting;
• Applications to receive a mail ballot;
• Counting machines tested prior to every election;
• Counting machines not connected to the internet; and
• Ballot drop boxes are subject to 24/7 monitoring.
Maintaining these time-tested processes is an important part of ensuring fair elections in Virginia.
Close coordination among state agencies further ensures that Virginia's voter lists are accurate and properly maintained. Over ninety percent of voters in Virginia submit electronic registration applications online through the Department of Elections, which requires a valid Department of Motor Vehicles credential, or submit registration applications when conducting transactions directly with the Department of Motor Vehicles. The Department of Motor Vehicles shares information daily with the Department of Elections to ensure the continued accuracy of our voter lists. Continuing and improving voter registration processes as well as interagency cooperation is critical to ensuring accurate, fair, open, and secure elections in Virginia where every eligible voter is able to cast their ballot without interference.
Directive
Pursuant to the authority vested in me as the Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth and pursuant to Article V of the Constitution of Virginia, I hereby direct that:
Certification of Election Security Procedures (Restating Executive Order 35 (2024))
The Commissioner of the Department of Elections shall certify annually in writing to the Office of the Governor that the following election security procedures are in place, including the training of general registrars regarding these critical procedures, and that the Commonwealth's system of checks and balances to maintain secure elections is functioning optimally.
1. Ballot Security
a. There is a documented chain of custody for paper ballots with daily reconciliation during early voting.
b. Ballots are tracked through every step of the process.
c. In precincts on election day and during early voting, ballots cast are reconciled against the number of voters checked in and number of ballots distributed to voters.
d. Absentee ballots must be requested by a registered voter before being mailed.
e. Marked absentee ballots may not be counted until the last four digits of a voter's social security number and year of birth provided on the envelope are matched to the voter's record in the statewide voter registration system.
f. Use of provisional ballots for the Same Day Registration process, which requires that these ballots not be counted in the precinct but go back to the registrar's office for determination of eligibility and adjudication by the Electoral Board.
g. 100% paper ballots are used in Virginia and are retained by clerks of court for 24 months in federal elections and 12 months in state and local elections.
2. Counting Machine Testing and Certification
a. Virginia uses only paper ballot counting machines.
b. No ballot counting machines are connected to the internet.
c. All counting machines are certified to applicable state and federal standards.
d. All equipment utilized in the voting and counting process, like electronic pollbooks, is tested before use in a polling place for every election.
3. Election Result Accuracy
a. Officers of election check election results at the precinct level on election night.
b. Electoral Boards check elections results at the locality level in the post-election canvass, and post-election canvass processes specified in the Code of Virginia were fully adhered to, including confirming that the number of ballots received corresponds to the number of ballots distributed.
c. Department of Elections staff check elections results at the state level through results review and audits prior to certification.
d. Review all possible cases of illegal voting identified in the Voter Participation Report offered by ERIC and information provided under agreements with other states after each federal general election.
Accuracy and Integrity of Voter Lists (Enhancing Executive Order 35 (2024))
The Commissioner shall annually certify to the Office of the Governor that:
1. Not later than 90 days prior to the date of a federal primary or general election, any program for which the purpose is to systematically remove the names of ineligible voters from the voter registration system based on evidence of ineligibility—including evidence of lack of eligible residence or evidence of non-citizenship—has been completed. For purposes of this Executive Order, a program is systematic if voters are identified and placed into a process for potential removal based on a computerized data-matching process or any other non-individualized review of the voter registration records, including any program based on a third-party submission that relies on a systematic review of voters. This certification requirement does not preclude:
a. the removal of names from the voter registration system at the request of the registrant or by reason of criminal conviction, mental incapacity, or the death of the registrant if the triggering event occurred within 120 days of the election; or
b. the correction of details, such as name and address, in a voter's registration record that does not result in the removal of a voter from the voter registration system.
2. All four "list maintenance" reports provided by ERIC—Cross-State Movers Report, InState Movers Report, Duplicate Report, and Deceased Report—are being used to maintain the accuracy of Virginia's voter lists, as well as all other available reports and information provided under agreements with other States.
3. Information is received daily from the Department of Motor Vehicles as well as other participating state agencies and required list maintenance actions are taken in compliance state and federal law regarding:
a. New eligible voters;
b. Voters who have moved in accordance with federal and state law;
c. Deceased voters; and
d. Ineligible voters (i.e., felons, non-citizens, or mentally incapacitated).
The Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles shall annually certify to the Office of the Governor that:
1. Data is shared with the Department of Elections on a daily basis regarding new eligible voters; updates to existing voter registrations; voters who have moved in accordance with federal and state law; and ineligible voters.
2. When issuing a credential such as a driver's license, the Department verifies the applicant's proof of identity and legal status with the Department of Homeland Security Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements ("SAVE") database and the Social Security Administration database.
3. Public forms are available translated into all languages required under the Virginia Voting Rights Act in that jurisdiction.
The Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles shall update and maintain all relevant questionnaires presented to eligible Virginia voters during Department of Motor Vehicles transactions to efficiently obtain the information that is required by law for the Department of Elections to ensure the accuracy and integrity of Virginia's voter lists.
Awareness Campaign for Election Security (Enhancing Executive Order 35 (2024))
The Department of Elections shall encourage and provide information to all general registrars to post or provide to voters directly regarding election-related offenses and their punishments (Title 24.2, Chapter 10 of the Code of Virginia), including:
§ 24.2-1000. Intimidation and threats toward election officials; penalty.
§ 24.2-1002.1. Unlawful disclosure or use of social security number or part thereof.
§ 24.2-1004. Illegal voting and registrations.
§ 24.2-1005. Intimidation of voters.
§ 24.2-1005.2. Interference with voting.
§ 24.2-1007. Soliciting or accepting bribe to influence or procure vote.
§ 24.2-1009. Stealing or tampering with ballot containers, voting or registration equipment, software, records or documents.
§ 24.2-1016. False statements; penalties.
All state agencies that register individuals to vote shall post this information in a conspicuous place or provide it to applicants directly.
Rejoining the Electronic Registration Information Center and Assessing Federal Partnerships (Improving Executive Order 53 (2025))
The Commissioner of the Department of Elections shall certify in writing to the Office of the Governor within 30 days of this Executive Order that Virginia has started the process to rejoin ERIC.
The Commissioner of the Department of Elections shall review all ongoing partnerships with the United States Department of Homeland Security and the United States Election Assistance Commission to ensure any data sharing is conducted in full compliance with Virginia law and whether future data sharing is necessary or appropriate after Virginia rejoins ERIC.
Effective Date of the Executive Order
This Executive Order restates and replaces Executive Order 35 (2024) and Executive Order 53 (2025). This Executive Order shall become effective upon its signing and shall remain in full force and effect until amended or rescinded by further executive order. Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia this 24th day of March 2026.
/s/ Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 14 (2026)
ESTABLISHING THE ROLE OF CHIEF ENERGY OFFICER
By virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor under Article V of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia and under the laws of the Commonwealth, including, but not limited to, §§ 2.2 103 and 2.2-110 of the Code of Virginia, and subject always to my continuing and ultimate authority and responsibility to act in such matters, I hereby establish the position of Chief Energy Officer within the Office of the Governor as a cabinet-level position to navigate energy challenges across state government and take action to reduce energy bills for Virginians while also ensuring energy reliability and making progress towards clean energy goals.
Importance of the Initiative
Virginia is facing myriad challenges across the electricity sector, including rising electricity prices, rapid load growth, supply chain constraints, interconnection queue delays, and an electric grid in transition. At the top of the list of challenges facing Virginia households is energy affordability, where electricity rates have risen by 36% over the last five years. At the same time, median household income has remained flat, further exacerbating this crisis.
The affordability challenge is intensified by rapid and unprecedented growth in electricity demand across the Commonwealth. High energy users, population growth, and electrification are driving record increases in electricity demand that are hard to plan for and address. At the same time, Virginia must navigate a constrained regional grid operated by Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Interconnection ("PJM"), where tightening margins, transmission constraints, and market design issues directly affect the prices Virginians pay.
In the face of these challenges, Virginia has reason for hope. We are seeing significant new opportunities and advancements in energy resources and technologies that could further the Commonwealth's decarbonization objectives and enable beneficial electrification. These advancements could be deployed in ways that provide rate relief for families. For example, cost-effective energy efficiency improvements across Virginia's single-family homes could yield statewide consumer savings of about $1.5 billion annually on utility bills, including electricity, gas, propane, and fuel oil.
To achieve the parallel objectives of addressing the Commonwealth's energy challenges and advancing its opportunities, Virginia needs accountable leadership to coordinate energy policy and prioritize solutions that balance affordability, reliability, and the energy transition. While the need for this coordinated work is clear, the responsibility for the energy programs that are within the Governor's authority has often been fragmented across multiple entities without a unified strategy. This fragmentation makes it harder to respond effectively to emerging affordability challenges. It also makes it challenging to ensure that energy programs and incentives are deployed in a way that maximizes participation and furthers the broad energy policy objectives of the Commonwealth.
Aligning Virginia's energy policy objectives under a single, accountable individual will help ensure a beneficial customer experience for state-administered energy affordability programs and clean energy programs. Equally important, it will provide a unified voice in regional and federal forums, including improving Virginia's engagement with both PJM and federal regulators to protect the reliability of our grid while limiting the market price uncertainty and volatility that is leading to higher bills.
Directive
Pursuant to the authority vested in me as the Governor of the Commonwealth, and pursuant to Article V of the Constitution of Virginia and the laws of the Commonwealth, I hereby establish the position of Chief Energy Officer within the Office of the Governor to navigate and address energy challenges across state government. The Chief Energy Officer will serve in the Governor's Cabinet. The Chief Energy Officer's duties shall include working to keep energy affordable, maintain reliability, and ensure Virginia meets long-term clean energy goals.
The Chief Energy Officer shall:
1. Engage with PJM and other PJM states to develop capacity market reforms to address energy prices, generator interconnection reforms to get new energy projects on the grid, and load forecasting transparency to reduce the risk of speculative or duplicative projects;
2. Engage with the Virginia State Corporation Commission, the public electric utilities serving the Commonwealth, the Division of Consumer Counsel, and other stakeholders to:
a. Identify and adopt solutions to put downward pressure on the electric rates customers pay to keep household energy bills affordable; and
b. Ensure that costs are fairly allocated across customer classes, including that highload customer classes are not leading to increased energy bills for all Virginians.
3. Engage with the General Assembly, in coordination with the Governor's Office, to enact and implement legislation to address energy affordability and meet energy demand.
4. Coordinate with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Secretary of Commerce and Trade in consultation with private industry to scope the energy landscape in Virginia as it relates to the Commonwealth's efforts to recruit investments and understand the current and future needs of Virginia businesses to meet economic development goals while maintaining affordability and reliability.
5. Coordinate with the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Department of Social Services, Department of Housing and Community Development, Virginia Energy, the State Corporation Commission, and Virginia's public utilities to maximize customer participation in existing programs aimed at lowering Virginians' utility bills.
Effective Date of the Executive Order
This Executive Order shall become effective upon its signing and shall remain in full force and effect until amended or rescinded by further executive order. Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia this 25th day of March 2026.
/s/ Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor