Scott Taylor on Civil Rights

Opposes transgender ban in military

Religious freedom supersedes right to same-sex marriage

Excerpts from Veto Message: Although couched as a "religious freedom" bill, this legislation is nothing more than an attempt to stigmatize. Any legitimate protections afforded by SB41 are duplicative of the 1st Amendment to the US Constitution. Any additional protections are styled in a manner that prefers one religious viewpoint--that marriage can only validly exist between a man & a woman--over all other viewpoints. It equates to discrimination under the guise of religious freedom.

Legislative Outcome:: Rep. Taylor voted YEA; passed Senate, 20-19-1, Feb. 12; passed House, 59-38-3, March 9; vetoed, March 30

Require absentee ballot applicants to provide photo ID

Analysis by Virginia ACLU: Low-income Virginians, rural voters, racial and ethnic minorities, students, and the elderly may have been disenfranchised because they lack a valid, photo ID or have no access to a copier or scanner.

Veto message: This bill imposes barriers on an eligible voter's ability to obtain & cast an absentee ballot. The requirement would not in any way deter fraudulent voting since it provides no means of verifying the identity of the individual depicted in the submitted photograph.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 62-34-4 on Feb/9/15; State Delegate Scott Taylor voted YES; Passed Senate 20-17-3 on Feb/20/15; Vetoed by Gov. McAuliffe on Mar/27/15; House Veto Sustained 65-34-0 (needed 66) on Apr/15/15