In 2013, the Virginia legislature passed HB 1346, to assist independent presidential candidates, and the presidential nominees of unqualified parties. Virginia law for general election petitions for president requires that candidates for presidential elector be listed on the petition, and one must live in each U.S. House district.

The bill lets the presidential candidates substitute new presidential elector candidates, in case the original presidential elector candidates turn out to be unqualified, or unless they die. This is especially useful in years when the U.S. House district boundaries are still unsettled during the petitioning period. Before the law was passed, presidential candidates hesitated to petition in Virginia early in the election year, because they were afraid the boundaries of the House districts might change later, and if some of the original candidates for elector listed on the petition found themselves in different districts, the petition would be invalid. Thanks to Bob Bastress for this news.