Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-313 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 3 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-313
Rescheduling of certain local elections following the decennial redistricting of districts for the governing body
Status: in_force

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, elections for members of the governing body or school board of any county, city, or town that would be held on a regularly scheduled date for a general election, but are delayed because the decennial redistricting plan of such county, city, or town is not precleared by the Attorney General of the United States pursuant to § 5 of the federal Voting Rights Act at least thirty days prior to the general election, shall be held as provided in this section, unless otherwise provided by a court of competent jurisdiction. In the event the Attorney General grants preclearance at least thirty days prior to the general election, the election shall be held as scheduled and shall be conducted from the newly established districts. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any county, city, or town election scheduled to be held entirely on an at-large basis.

B. In each such county, city, or town, such election shall be held on the first Tuesday (i) that is more than sixty days after the Attorney General of the United States issues a letter stating that he interposes no objection to a decennial redistricting plan approved and submitted by the county, city, or town; (ii) that is not the scheduled date of a primary election; and (iii) that is not within the sixty days before or the thirty-five days after a primary or general election.

C. Independent candidates for such rescheduled elections shall qualify in the manner provided by §§ 24.2-505 and 24.2-506 , and party nominees shall be nominated and certified at least thirty days before the new election date.

D. All candidates shall file the statements required by §§ 24.2-501 and 24.2-502 at least thirty days before the new election date.

E. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections C and D, any candidate who qualified to have his name printed on the ballot for the original election date, pursuant to § 24.2-504 , shall be automatically qualified to have his name printed on the ballot for the delayed election date and shall not have to refile the required documents, provided that the boundaries of the district in which he is seeking office are the same as when he was originally qualified. In any district in which the boundaries have been changed, candidates shall requalify for the ballot; however, at the request of any candidate who filed as an independent, his original petitions shall be reviewed by the registrar, previously verified signatures of voters who reside in the new district shall be counted toward the number needed to qualify to run in the new district, and the candidate may supplement such petitions when he refiles under § 24.2-505 .

F. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the term of members of any governing body or school board elected under the provisions of this act shall commence on the first day of the second month following the election and shall terminate on the day on which the term would have expired had the general election been held on its regularly scheduled day.

G. The term of members of any governing body affected by this act that would otherwise expire prior to the commencement of the term of their successors elected pursuant to this section shall be extended until the date that the term of members elected pursuant to this section commences, notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary.

2002, c. 189 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-1001.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 10 / Section 24.2-1001.1
Failure or refusal to certify election; civil penalty
Status: in_force

In addition to any other penalties provided by law, any member of an electoral board who fails or refuses to certify the results of an election is subject to a civil penalty in an amount not exceeding $1,000. Such civil penalty shall be payable to the Voter Education and Outreach Fund established pursuant to § 24.2-131 .

2026, c. 60 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-953.4 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 8 / Section 24.2-953.4
Additional civil penalties for late and incomplete filings for statewide campaigns
Status: in_force

A. In addition to the penalties provided in §§ 24.2-953.1 , 24.2-953.2 , and 24.2-953.3 , any candidate for statewide office, and his campaign treasurer, who fails to file any report required in Article 3 (§ 24.2-947 et seq.) in a timely manner or files an incomplete report may be assessed a civil penalty by the Commissioner of Elections pursuant to this section.

B. Prior to assessing a penalty pursuant to this section, the Commissioner shall notify, within 14 days of the deadline for the required report, the candidate and treasurer in writing that a report has not been filed or that a filed report has not been completed, citing the omissions from the report. No penalty shall be assessed pursuant to this section if the report or information required to complete the report is filed within seven days of the date of mailing the written notice.

C. If the report or information required to complete the report is not filed within the seven-day period, the Commissioner shall assess against the candidate and treasurer, who shall be jointly and severally liable, a civil penalty of $500 for each day that the violation continues on and after the eighth day following the date of mailing the written notice. The Commissioner may grant an additional period for compliance, not to exceed two weeks, for good cause shown and in response to a request filed within the seven-day period. However, no additional period shall be granted for compliance with the requirement under subdivision A 8 of § 24.2-947.6 to file a report not later than the eighth day before the election. The State Board shall notify the public through its official Internet website of the violation and identity of the violator.

D. If requested by the Commissioner, the attorney for the Commonwealth of the City of Richmond shall assist the Commissioner in collecting the civil penalty.

E. Any candidate or treasurer aggrieved by the assessment pursuant to this section shall have a right to the direct review of the assessment by a court of competent jurisdiction as provided in the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.). The provisions of the Act shall not apply, however, to the assessment of civil penalties by the Commissioner pursuant to this section.

F. Civil penalties collected pursuant to this section shall be payable to the State Treasurer for deposit to the general fund.

1991, c. 548, § 24.1-263.1; 1993, c. 641, § 24.2-930; 2001, c. 620 ; 2005, c. 371 ; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 ; 2013, c. 542 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-947.8 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-947.8
Filing requirements for special elections
Status: in_force

A. Candidates for nomination or election to an office to be filled by a special election held on a regular election date shall file the prescribed reports of contributions and expenditures which apply to regularly scheduled elections for that office.

B. In the case of a special election held on a date other than a regularly scheduled general election, the candidate shall file as follows:

1. A report not later than the eighth day before the special election date complete through the twelfth day before that date;

2. A postelection report no later than the thirtieth day after the election and prior to taking office; and

3. A postelection report not later than January 15 and July 15 each year until a final report is filed.

C. Any candidate, who has been subject to the election year filing schedule set out in subdivisions B 1 through B 3 and who has not filed a final report, shall file reports in any subsequent election year for the same office in accordance with the election year filing schedule set out in § 24.2-947.6 or 24.2-947.7 as appropriate for that office.

D. Any candidate shall also file any report of certain large contributions required by § 24.2-947.9 , if applicable.

1986, c. 558, § 24.1-257.2; 1988, c. 734; 1991, c. 709; 1993, cc. 639, 641, § 24.2-918; 2005, c. 831 ; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 ; 2010, c. 696 ; 2015, c. 646 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-314 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 3 / Article 5 / Section 24.2-314
Population data; reallocation of certain populations
Status: in_force

A. Persons incarcerated in federal correctional facilities and in state and local correctional facilities, as those terms are defined in § 53.1-1 , or persons civilly committed to a facility operated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services pursuant to Chapter 9 (§ 37.2-900 et seq.) of Title 37.2 shall be counted and reallocated for redistricting and reapportionment purposes in accordance with the provisions of this section and the following:

1. A person incarcerated in a federal, state, or local correctional facility or a person civilly committed to a facility operated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services pursuant to Chapter 9 (§ 37.2-900 et seq.) of Title 37.2 whose address at the time of incarceration or civil commitment was located within the Commonwealth shall be deemed to reside at such address.

2. A person incarcerated in a federal, state, or local correctional facility or a person civilly committed to a facility operated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services pursuant to Chapter 9 (§ 37.2-900 et seq.) of Title 37.2 whose address at the time of incarceration or civil commitment was located outside of the Commonwealth or whose address at the time of incarceration or civil commitment cannot be determined shall be deemed to reside at the location of the facility in which he is incarcerated or civilly committed.

B. By July 1 of any year in which the decennial census is taken, the Department of Corrections and the State Board of Local and Regional Jails shall provide to the Division of Legislative Services, in a format specified by the Division of Legislative Services, the following information for each person who was incarcerated in a state or local correctional facility on April 1 of that year:

1. A unique identifier, other than his name or offender identification number, assigned by the Department of Corrections or the State Board of Local and Regional Jails for this purpose;

2. His residential street address at the time of incarceration, or other legal residence, if known;

3. His race, his ethnicity as identified by him, and whether he is 18 years of age or older; and

4. The street address of the correctional facility in which he was incarcerated on April 1 of that year.

C. By July 1 of any year in which the decennial census is taken, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services shall provide to the Division of Legislative Services, in a format specified by the Division of Legislative Services, the following information for each person who was civilly committed to a facility operated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services pursuant to Chapter 9 (§ 37.2-900 et seq.) of Title 37.2 on April 1 of that year:

1. A unique identifier, other than his name, assigned by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services for this purpose;

2. His residential street address at the time of commitment, or other legal residence, if known;

3. His race, his ethnicity as identified by him, and whether he is 18 years of age or older; and

4. The street address of the facility in which he was civilly committed on April 1 of that year.

D. The Division of Legislative Services shall request each agency operating a federal correctional facility in the Commonwealth that incarcerates persons convicted of a criminal offense to provide to the Division of Legislative Services by July 1 of any year in which the decennial census is taken a record containing the information specified in subsection B for each person who was incarcerated in the facility on April 1 of that year. Any person incarcerated in a federal correctional facility for whom a record is not received by the Division of Legislative Services shall be deemed to have an address at the time of incarceration that cannot be determined.

E. The Division of Legislative Services shall prepare adjusted population data, including race and ethnicity data, in a manner that reflects the inclusion of incarcerated and civilly committed persons in the population count of the locality in which he is deemed to reside pursuant to subdivision A 1 or 2.

This adjusted population data shall be used for purposes of redistricting and reapportionment and shall be the basis for congressional, state Senate, House of Delegates, and local government election districts. This adjusted population data shall not be used in the distribution of any federal or state aid.

F. The Division of Legislative Services shall make the adjusted population data available no later than 30 days following receipt of population data from the United States Bureau of the Census pursuant to P.L. 94-171. In making this data available, the Division of Legislative Services shall ensure no information regarding a specific incarcerated or civilly committed person's address at the time of incarceration or commitment is made public.

2020, cc. 759 , 1229 , 1265 ; 2026, cc. 551 , 552 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-953.6 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 8 / Section 24.2-953.6
Appeal of penalties
Status: in_force

A. Any person or committee shall have the right to appeal a civil penalty assessed to it pursuant to this chapter by filing a petition of appeal with the State Board, on a form prescribed by the State Board, within the 60 days following its actual receipt of written notice of such penalty. The petition shall state the grounds upon which the appeal is being made in addition to any additional information required by the State Board.

B. The appeal shall be adjudicated by the State Board in a public hearing. The State Board shall develop procedures for the conduct of such hearing. At least 10 days prior to such hearing, the State Board shall send notice by certified mail to any person whose petitions of appeal will be reviewed at such hearing. Notice shall include the time, date, and place of the hearing.

Consideration on appeal shall be limited to whether the petition and any supporting documents submitted by the petitioner establish (i) facts of circumstances present within a reasonable amount of time of the filing deadline that made filing or requesting an extension impracticable or (ii) an administrative error in the assessment of the penalty.

C. The State Board shall be authorized to provide relief for good cause shown by the petitioner and found by the Board sufficient to justify the relief requested. Such relief may include forgiveness of all or a portion of an assessed civil penalty, the retroactive extension of a deadline, or other appropriate remedy. Such relief shall not include an exemption from filing a report that is otherwise required to be filed pursuant to this chapter.

D. For each appeal that it hears, the State Board shall issue a written opinion, which shall include the facts put before the State Board, the State Board's decision, and the State Board's rationale for reaching such decision. The State Board's opinion shall be published on the Department of Elections website and a copy of the opinion shall be mailed to the petitioner as notice of the State Board's decision not later than 21 days after the conclusion of the appeal hearing. The decision on appeal shall be final and not subject to further appeal.

E. The time for notifying an attorney for the Commonwealth of a violation of this chapter pursuant to subsection F of § 24.2-946.3 shall be tolled from the time the State Board receives a petition of appeal until notification to the petitioner by the State Board of its decision on such petition.

2025, c. 360 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-951.6 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 6 / Section 24.2-951.6
Filing schedule for referendum committees for referendums to be decided at special elections
Status: in_force

A. A referendum committee supporting or opposing a question on the ballot at a special election shall file the prescribed campaign finance reports as follows:

1. A report not later than the eighth day before the special election date complete through the eleventh day before that date; and

2. A postelection report no later than the thirtieth day after the election.

B. A referendum committee may either (i) file a final report within six months after the referendum is held or (ii) continue as a political action committee more than six months after the referendum is held, provided that the committee submits an amended statement of organization to the State Board redesignating the committee as a political action committee and complies with the requirements for political action committees in Article 4 of this chapter including the reporting schedule set forth in § 24.2-949.6 .

2003, c. 257 , § 24.2-910.1; 2005, c. 745 ; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-610 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 1 / Section 24.2-610
(Effective until July 1, 2027) Materials at polling places
Status: in_force

A. The Department shall provide copies of this title to each member of the electoral boards and to each general registrar for each precinct in the county or city. The general registrar shall furnish a copy of this title to each precinct for the use of the officers of election on election day.

B. Pursuant to subdivision A 7 of § 24.2-404 , the Department shall transmit to the general registrar of each county and city pollbooks for each precinct in which the election is to be held. For each primary and general election, the general registrar shall produce and distribute a printed copy of the pollbook to each precinct. The data elements printed or otherwise provided for each voter on the pollbooks shall be uniform throughout the Commonwealth.

C. The electoral board, general registrar, and officers of election shall comply with the requirements of this title and the instructions of the State Board to ensure that the pollbooks, ballots, voting equipment keys, and other materials and supplies required to conduct the election are delivered to the polling place before 6:00 a.m. on the day of the election and delivered to the proper official following the election.

Code 1950, §§ 24-115, 24-207 through 24-209, 24-256, 24-306; 1950, p. 245; 1956, c. 235; 1958, c. 605; 1962, c. 536; 1968, c. 141; 1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-57, 24.1-107, 24.1-134, 24.1-316; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 119; 1972, cc. 620, 794; 1974, c. 428; 1975, c. 515, § 24.1-100.1; 1978, c. 778; 1981, c. 425; 1982, c. 650; 1985, c. 458; 1993, c. 641; 2003, c. 1015 ; 2016, cc. 18 , 492 ; 2020, c. 297 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-220 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 2 / Article 5 / Section 24.2-220
Reversion to quadrennial elections
Status: in_force

The governing body of any county, by ordinance, may repeal an ordinance previously adopted to provide for the election of the board of supervisors biennially for staggered four-year terms and provide for the election of the board of supervisors quadrennially for four-year terms. The qualified voters of the county, by petition and referendum in accordance with the requirements and procedures set forth in § 24.2-219 , may repeal an ordinance of the board or a referendum previously adopted which authorized the election of the board of supervisors biennially for four-year terms. The question in the referendum to rescind shall be:

"Shall the members of the county board of supervisors be elected quadrennially for four-year terms?

[ ] Yes

[ ] No"

If a majority of the voters voting in the referendum voted for quadrennial election of the members of the board of supervisors for four-year terms, or if the governing body has so provided by ordinance, then the successors to those supervisors whose terms expire in 1995 or any fourth year thereafter shall be elected for a four-year term and immediate successors to those supervisors whose terms expire in 1993 or any fourth year thereafter shall be elected for a two-year term and all subsequent successors for a four-year term.

Code 1950, § 24-157; 1968, c. 639; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-88; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 265; 1973, c. 30; 1976, c. 616; 1981, c. 12; 1982, c. 650; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-411 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-411
Office of the general registrar
Status: in_force

A. Each local governing body shall furnish the general registrar with a clearly marked and suitable office which shall be the principal office for voter registration. The office shall be owned or leased by the city or county, or by the state for the location of Department of Motor Vehicles facilities, adequately furnished, and located within the city or within the county or a city in which the county courthouse is located. The governing body shall provide property damage liability and bodily injury liability coverage for the office and shall furnish the general registrar with necessary postage, stationery, equipment, and office supplies. The telephone number shall be listed in the local telephone directory separately or under the local governmental listing under the designation "Voter Registration."

No private business enterprise shall be conducted in the general registrar's office.

B. The general registrar's office in all counties and cities shall be open a minimum of five days each week, except as provided in subsection C.

Additional hours, if any, that the general registrar's office is open for voter registration may be determined and set by the general registrar or the electoral board.

C. The general registrar may close the office of the general registrar (i) for off-site training purposes for no more than four consecutive or cumulative days each year, provided that notice of the closure is posted on the official website of the county or city and in no fewer than two public places at least 72 hours before such closure, and (ii) quarterly to provide training in the office for a period not to exceed four hours without providing notice. However, no closure permitted by clause (i) or clause (ii) shall occur (a) within the seven days immediately preceding and immediately following an election, (b) during the period for absentee voting required by subsection A of § 24.2-701 , (c) on the final registration day pursuant to § 24.2-414 , or (d) on a deadline specified in the Campaign Finance Disclosure Act of 2006 (§ 24.2-945 et seq.).

D. It is unlawful for any person (i) to knowingly carry on or about his person any firearm as defined in § 18.2-308.2:2 and (ii) to knowingly do so within 100 feet of any building, or part thereof, used as the principal office of the general registrar, unless such person is (a) a law-enforcement officer or a retired law-enforcement officer qualified pursuant to subsection C of § 18.2-308.01 6; (b) occupying his own private property that falls within 100 feet of the building used as a meeting place; or (c) an armed security officer, licensed pursuant to Article 4 (§ 9.1-138 et seq.) of Chapter 1 of Title 9.1, whose employment or performance of his duties occurs within 100 feet of any building, or part thereof, used as the principal office for voter registration.

Code 1950, §§ 24-52, 24-52.1, 24-55, 24-59 through 24-61, 24-65, 24-66, 24-71 through 24-76, 24-90, 24-93, 24-94, 24-101, 24-111, 24-118.1; 1954, c. 691; 1958, c. 576; 1962, cc. 422, 475, 536; 1963, Ex. Sess., c. 2; 1964, c. 608; 1968, cc. 97, 141; 1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-43, 24.1-46, 24.1-49; 1972, c. 620; 1973, c. 30; 1974, c. 428; 1975, c. 515; 1976, cc. 12, 616; 1978, c. 778; 1979, c. 329; 1980, c. 639; 1981, c. 425; 1982, cc. 290, 650; 1983, cc. 398, 511; 1984, c. 480; 1985, cc. 197, 530; 1986, c. 558; 1988, cc. 305, 528; 1989, c. 743; 1991, cc. 42, 136; 1993, c. 641; 1997, cc. 650 , 666 ; 2000, cc. 512 , 556 ; 2015, c. 740 ; 2016, c. 13 ; 2018, c. 539 ; 2026, c. 1078 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-953.5 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 8 / Section 24.2-953.5
Additional penalties related to federal political action or out-of-state political committees
Status: in_force

A. Acceptance of contributions of $10,000 or more in the aggregate in any calendar year from an unregistered federal political action committee or out-of-state political committee shall result in a civil penalty equal to the amount of the contributions made to a candidate campaign committee or political committee.

B. The provisions of this subsection are applicable regardless of the assessment of a civil penalty pursuant to subsection A. The failure of any federal political action committee or out-of-state political committee to comply with the provisions of § 24.2-949.2 , 24.2-949.10 , 24.2-949.11 , or 24.2-949.12 shall result in a civil penalty not to exceed the amount of the contribution made to a candidate campaign committee or political committee.

C. The State Board of Elections shall institute proceedings pursuant to § 24.2-104 against any committee that fails to comply with the provisions of § 24.2-947.3:1 , 24.2-949.2 , 24.2-949.10 , 24.2-949.11 , 24.2-949.12 , or 24.2-949.13 and, after notice by the State Board, continues for more than five days to remain noncompliant.

2006, cc. 771 , 805 , § 24.2-930.1.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-101.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 24.2-101.1
Implementation of certain laws; special elections
Status: in_force

All laws enacted at a regular session of the General Assembly shall take effect as provided in § 1-214 except that the implementation of any change to this title shall not become effective for a special election held at a time other than a general election if the writ for the special election was issued prior to the effective date of the law.

2008, c. 366 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-417.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-417.1
Registration residence requirements; presumptions in certain cases
Status: in_force

In determining the residence as defined in § 24.2-101 and the domicile and place of abode of a participant in the American Conservation and Youth Service Corps provided for by federal law (42 U.S.C. § 12655 et seq.), there shall be a presumption that a participant in the Corps who was domiciled and had a place of abode in Virginia at the time of entering the Corps continues to be domiciled and retains the same place of abode unless the participant expressly states otherwise.

In determining the residence as defined in § 24.2-101 and domicile and place of abode of a military or merchant marine spouse or dependent, there shall be a presumption that a military or merchant marine spouse or dependent who has established physical presence and a place of abode in the Commonwealth shall also have established domicile in the Commonwealth unless the spouse or dependent expressly states otherwise. Once residence is changed, the military or merchant marine spouse or dependent may not revert to any previous residence without re-establishing new physical presence and intent to remain or return.

1995, c. 231 ; 2006, c. 391 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-957.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.5 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-957.1
Requirements for television advertisements sponsored by a candidate or candidate campaign committee
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any candidate or a candidate campaign committee to sponsor a television advertisement that constitutes an expenditure or contribution required to be disclosed under Chapter 9.3 (§ 24.2-945 et seq.) unless the following requirements are met:

1. It bears the legend or includes the statement: "Paid for by ____________ [Name of candidate or campaign committee as it appears on the statement of organization]." Alternatively, if the advertisement is supporting that candidate and the advertisement makes no reference to any other clearly identified candidate, then the statement "Paid for by ____________ [Name of sponsor]" may be replaced by the statement "Authorized by ____________ [Name of sponsor]."

The disclosure shall be made by visual legend, which shall constitute 20 scan lines in size. The content of these visual legends is specified by the Communications Act of 1934, 47 U.S.C. §§ 315 and 317 and this section.

2. If the advertisement sponsored by the candidate or the candidate campaign committee makes reference to another clearly identified candidate, it must include a disclosure statement spoken by the sponsoring candidate containing at least the following words: "I am ____________ (or 'This is ___________') [Name of candidate], candidate for [Name of] office, and I (or 'my campaign') sponsored this ad."

The candidate or the candidate campaign committee may provide the oral disclosure statement required by this section at the same time as the visual disclosure required under the Communications Act of 1934, 47 U.S.C. §§ 315 and 317, is shown.

3. The advertisement shall include throughout the disclosure statement an unobscured, full-screen picture containing the candidate, either in photographic form or through the actual appearance of the candidate on camera.

4. The candidate or the campaign committee may place the disclosure statement required by this section at any point during the advertisement, except if the duration of the advertisement is more than five minutes, the disclosure statement shall be made both at the beginning and end of the advertisement.

5. In its oral disclosure statement, the sponsor may choose to identify an advertisement as either supporting or opposing the nomination or election of one or more clearly identified candidates.

6. If an advertisement is jointly sponsored, the disclosure statement shall include the names of all the sponsors and the candidate shall be the disclosing individual. If more than one candidate is the sponsor, at least one of the candidates shall be the disclosing individual.

2002, c. 487 , § 24.2-944; 2004, cc. 55 , 457 ; 2005, c. 369 ; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 ; 2020, c. 615 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-404.4 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 2 / Section 24.2-404.4
(Repealed effective July 1, 2027) Exchange of registered voter lists with other states
Status: repealed

A. Pursuant to its authority under subsection A of § 24.2-405 and subsections B and C of § 24.2-406 , the Department of Elections shall request voter registration information and lists of persons voting at primaries and elections, if available, from the states bordering the Commonwealth to identify duplicate registrations, voters who no longer reside in the Commonwealth, and other persons who are no longer entitled to be registered in order to maintain the overall accuracy of the voter registration system.

B. Pursuant to its authority under subdivision A 10 of § 24.2-404 , the Department of Elections shall utilize data regarding voter registration and lists of persons voting at primaries and elections received through list comparisons with other states to identify duplicate registrations, voters who no longer reside in the Commonwealth, and other persons who are no longer entitled to be registered in order to maintain the overall accuracy of the voter registration system.

C. The Department shall compare the data received pursuant to subsections A and B with the state voter registration list and initiate list maintenance procedures under applicable state and federal law. The Department shall include in its report to the House and Senate Committees on Privileges and Elections, required by subsection F of § 24.2-404 , the progress of activities conducted under this section, including the number of duplicate registrations found to exist and the procedures that the Department and general registrars are following to eliminate duplicate registrations from the Virginia registered voter lists.

2013, c. 435 ; 2015, cc. 713 , 740 ; 2018, c. 460 ; 2026, c. 1120 , cl. 2.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-115.2 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 1 / Article 5 / Section 24.2-115.2
Officers of election; required training
Status: in_force

A. Each officer of election shall receive training consistent with the standards set by the State Board pursuant to § 24.2-103 . This training shall be conducted by the electoral boards and general registrars, using the standardized training programs and materials developed by the State Board for this purpose. However, any electoral board and general registrar may instead require that the officers of election complete the online training course provided by the State Board pursuant to subsection D of § 24.2-103 . Each officer of election shall receive such training, or complete the online training course, before the first election in which he will be serving as an officer of election. Such requirement shall apply to each term for which the officer of election is appointed.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, each officer of election shall receive additional training or instruction whenever a change to election procedures is made to this title or to regulations that alters the duties or conduct of the officers of election. Such changes shall include changes to voting systems, electronic pollbook equipment or programming, voter identification requirements, and provisional ballot requirements. Such additional training shall be conducted or instruction given to all relevant individuals promptly after the law or regulation has taken effect, but not less than three days prior to the first election occurring in the locality after the law or regulation has taken effect.

C. Following any training conducted pursuant to this section, the electoral boards shall certify to the State Board that the officers of election in its jurisdiction have received the required training. Such certification shall include the dates of each completed training.

2016, cc. 752 , 766 ; 2020, cc. 286 , 1148 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-949.5 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-949.5
Information to be included on campaign finance reports for political action committees
Status: in_force

A. The reports required by this article shall be filed on a form prescribed by the State Board and shall include all financial activity of the political action committee. All completed forms shall be submitted in typed, printed, or legibly hand printed format or electronically as provided in § 24.2-946.1 . Persons submitting the forms shall do so subject to felony penalties for making false statements pursuant to § 24.2-1016 .

B. The report of receipts shall include:

1. The total number of contributors, each of whom has contributed an aggregate of $100 or less, including cash and in-kind contributions, as of the date of the report, and the total amount of contributions from all such contributors;

2. For each contributor who has contributed an aggregate of more than $100, including cash and in-kind contributions, as of the ending date of the report, the political action committee shall itemize each contributor on the report and list the following information:

a. the name of the contributor, listed alphabetically,

b. the mailing address of the contributor,

c. the amount of the contribution,

d. the aggregate amount of contributions from the contributor to date,

e. the date of the last contribution,

f. the occupation of the contributor,

g. the name of his employer or principal business, and

h. the locality where employed or where his business is located.

For each such contributor, other than an individual, the principal type of business and place of business of the contributor shall be substituted for subdivisions f and g, respectively. For each such contributor other than an individual, it shall be sufficient to list the address of the contributor one time on the report of receipts.

C. Upon transfer of a designated contribution to a designated candidate's campaign committee, the committee shall provide information to the campaign committee to identify the contributor as provided by § 24.2-947.4 .

D. The report of disbursements shall include all expenditures and give:

1. The name and address of the person paid;

2. A brief description of the purpose of the expenditure;

3. The name of the person contracting for or arranging the expenditure;

4. The amount of the expenditure; and

5. The date of the expenditure.

The report of disbursements shall itemize any expenditure made by credit card payment.

E. Each report for a political action committee shall list separately those receipts and expenditures reported to the treasurer or other officer of the committee by any person, candidate campaign committee, or political committee, pursuant to subsection B of § 24.2-949.4 , and in the case of in-kind contributions, shall set forth in each instance the source of the information reported.

F. The report shall list separately all loans, and for each loan, shall give:

1. The date the loan was made;

2. The name and address of the person making the loan and any person who is a co-borrower, guarantor, or endorser of the loan;

3. The amount of the loan;

4. The date and amount of any repayment of the loan; and

5. For any loan or part of a loan that is forgiven by the lender, the amount forgiven listed as both a contribution and loan repayment.

G. The State Board shall provide for a "no activity" report that may be filed for any reporting period in which the filer has no activity to report.

H. It is the responsibility of the treasurer that the report for the political action committee be filed and that the report be in full and accurate detail.

1970, c. 462, § 24.1-258; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 247; 1972, c. 620; 1975, c. 515; 1976, c. 616; 1978, c. 381; 1983, c. 119; 1990, c. 156; 1993, cc. 341, 641, § 24.2-914; 1997, cc. 364 , 392 ; 1999, c. 864 ; 2000, c. 304 ; 2001, cc. 618 , 810 ; 2002, c. 468 ; 2003, c. 248 ; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 ; 2008, cc. 152 , 289 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-304 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 3 / Article 2 / Section 24.2-304
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 2001, Sp. Sess. I, c. 1 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-665 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-665
How paper ballots counted
Status: in_force

A. When the number of paper ballots to be counted has been verified, the officers shall proceed to ascertain the number of votes cast by paper ballots for each person and for and against each question. The votes on all ballots for all offices and questions shall be counted. As soon as all ballots are counted, they shall be placed in an envelope or container labeled "counted ballots." No person other than the officers of the election shall handle the ballots.

B. Only an official ballot prepared as provided for in this title shall be counted. If any unofficial ballot is found among the official ballots, the unofficial ballot shall be put aside, not counted and appropriately noted on the statement of results.

Code 1950, §§ 24-246, 24-265; 1950, p. 165; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-142; 1981, c. 425; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-235 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 2 / Article 7 / Section 24.2-235
Procedure
Status: in_force

A. A petition for the removal of an officer shall be on a form prescribed by the State Board of Elections and shall state with reasonable accuracy and detail the grounds or reasons for removal and shall be signed by the person or persons making it under penalties of perjury. The petition shall be filed together with either (i) three paper copies or (ii) an electronic copy. The clerk shall promptly provide a paper or electronic copy of the petition to the officer who is the subject of the removal petition, the attorney for the Commonwealth, and, for a removal petition filed pursuant to § 24.2-233 , the general registrar. If the subject of the petition is the attorney for the Commonwealth, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia shall appoint an alternate attorney for the Commonwealth to receive the copy of the petition.

B. The general registrar shall review a petition filed pursuant to § 24.2-233 and determine its sufficiency in accordance with the uniform standards approved by the State Board of Elections. The general registrar shall certify the petition within 10 business days and promptly file such certification with the clerk of the circuit court. The general registrar may seek an extension of time from the circuit court for good cause shown. The certification shall state the number of signatures required, the number of signatures on the petition, and the number of valid signatures. The certification shall identify those signatures found to be invalid. The certification shall also identify any material omissions in the petition.

C. Upon receipt of the petition, the attorney for the Commonwealth shall promptly review the petition and determine if valid grounds exist to remove the officer pursuant to § 24.2-103 , 24.2-109 , or 24.2-233 . Upon determining that valid grounds exist for removal, the attorney for the Commonwealth shall notify the circuit court. Otherwise, the attorney for the Commonwealth shall request that the court dismiss the petition.

D. As soon as the attorney for the Commonwealth notifies the circuit court that the petition presents valid grounds for removal, the court shall issue a rule requiring the officer to show cause why he should not be removed from office, the rule alleging in general terms the cause or causes for such removal. The rule shall be returnable in not less than five nor more than 10 days and shall be served upon the officer with a copy of the petition.

E. Upon return of the rule duly executed, unless good cause is shown for a continuance or postponement to a later day in the term, the case shall be tried on the day named in the rule and take precedence over all other cases on the docket. The circuit court shall not dismiss the petition solely because of an error or omission in the form of the petition relating to its statement of the grounds or reasons for removal if such error or omission is not material in determining whether the statement of the grounds or reasons for removal provides a reasonable basis under § 24.2-103 , 24.2-109 , or 24.2-233 to consider the removal of the officer. If upon trial it is determined by clear and convincing evidence that removal of the officer is warranted under § 24.2-103 , 24.2-109 , or 24.2-233 , the officer shall be removed from office.

1975, cc. 515, 595, § 24.1-79.7; 1993, c. 641; 2009, cc. 868 , 876 ; 2023, cc. 256 , 257 , 663 , 664 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-131 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 1.1 / Section 24.2-131
Voter Education and Outreach Fund
Status: in_force

There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Voter Outreach and Education Fund, referred to in this section as "the Fund." The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All penalties and charges directed to this fund by § 24.2-104.1 and all other funds from any public or private source directed to the Fund shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes of educating voters and persons qualified to be voters on the rights ensured to them pursuant to federal and state constitutional and statutory law and remedies. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Secretary of Administration or his designee.

2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 528 , 533 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-654 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-654
(Effective until September 1, 2026) Officers to lock and seal voting equipment and ascertain vote after polls closed; statement of results
Status: in_force

As soon as the polls are closed, the officers of election shall lock each voting and counting machine against further voting. They shall then proceed to ascertain the vote given at the election and continue without adjournment until they declare the results of the election. They shall seal the machines.

In ascertaining the vote, the officers of election shall complete a statement of results in duplicate on the form and in the manner prescribed by the State Board.

Code 1950, § 24-258, 24-259, 24-312; 1966, c. 453; 1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-136, 24.1-222; 1974, c. 428; 1979, c. 329; 1981, c. 425; 1983, c. 461; 1985, c. 458; 1993, c. 641; 2014, cc. 540 , 576 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-705.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 7 / Section 24.2-705.1
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 2020, c. 1157 , cl. 2.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-626.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-626.1
Acquisition and use of accessible voting devices
Status: in_force

The governing body of any county or city shall provide for the use of a voting or counting system in all elections that shall:

1. Provide for at least one voting system equipped for individuals with disabilities at each polling place, including nonvisual accessibility for the blind and visually impaired, in a manner that provides the same opportunity for access and participation (including privacy and independence) as for other voters; and

2. Provide alternative language accessibility when required by § 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. § 10503).

2007, cc. 939 , 943 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-416.6 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 3.1 / Section 24.2-416.6
Registration by and instructions for voter registration drives; compensation prohibitions
Status: in_force

Whenever the Department of Elections, local electoral board, or general registrar's office furnishes individuals or groups multiple copies of the voter registration application, it shall provide accompanying instructions that contain a copy and explanation of § 24.2-1002.01 and the penalty for destruction of, or failure to mail or deliver, voter registration applications that have been signed. Any like instructions furnished to the public by whatever means shall contain a copy and explanation of § 24.2-1002.01 and the penalty for destruction of, or failure to mail or deliver, voter registration applications. When obtaining 25 or more voter registration applications, such individuals or groups shall be required to register with and provide to the Department, local electoral board, or general registrar's office such information as required by the Department. Such individuals or agents representing a group shall be required to receive training as approved by the State Board and sign a sworn affidavit on a form prescribed by the State Board attesting that such individuals or organizations will abide by all Virginia laws and rules regarding the registration of voters.

No individual or group shall compensate its volunteers or employees on the basis of the number of completed voter registration applications the volunteer or employee collects. No volunteer or employee of an individual or group shall accept compensation based on the number of completed voter registration applications he collects.

2005, cc. 339 , 412 ; 2013, c. 465 ; 2015, c. 740 ; 2017, c. 336 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-623 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 2 / Section 24.2-623
Ballot containers to be supplied by governing bodies; construction and custody
Status: in_force

The governing body of each county and city shall provide a ballot container for each precinct. The container shall have a lock and key and an opening of sufficient size to admit a single folded or unfolded ballot and no more. The containers shall be kept by the electoral boards for use in the precincts.

Code 1950, § 24-241; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-123; 1993, c. 641; 2003, c. 1015 ; 2014, cc. 540 , 576 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-948.4 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-948.4
Final report requirement; disbursement of surplus funds
Status: in_force

A. A final report shall be filed by every campaign committee that sets forth (i) all receipts and disbursements not previously reported, (ii) an accounting of the retirement of all debts, and (iii) the disposition of all surplus funds as provided in subsection D. The final report shall include a termination statement, signed by the candidate, that all reporting for the campaign committee is complete and final. Once a campaign committee's final report has been filed, no further report relating to that election shall be required.

B. A final report shall be required when (i) a candidate no longer seeks election to the same office in a successive election, (ii) a candidate seeks election to a different office, or (iii) the candidate is deceased.

C. If the candidate is deceased, the final report shall be filed and signed by the treasurer. If the candidate was serving as his own treasurer, his executor shall file and sign the final report. Any excess contributed funds shall be disposed of pursuant to the provisions of subsection D.

D. Amounts received by a candidate or his campaign committee as contributions that are in excess of the amount necessary to defray his campaign expenditures or items acquired using campaign contributions may be disposed of only by one or any combination of the following: (i) transferring the excess or items acquired using campaign contributions for use in a succeeding election or to retire the deficit in a preceding election; (ii) returning the excess or items acquired using campaign contributions to a contributor in an amount not to exceed the contributor's original contribution; (iii) donating the excess or items acquired using campaign contributions to any organization described in § 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code; (iv) contributing the excess or items acquired using campaign contributions to one or more candidates or to any political committee that has filed a statement of organization pursuant to this chapter; (v) contributing the excess or items acquired using campaign contributions to any political party committee; and (vi) defraying any ordinary, nonreimbursed expense related to his elective office.

1986, c. 558, § 24.1-257.2; 1988, c. 734; 1990, c. 931, § 24.1-258.1; 1991, c. 709; 1993, c. 641, §§ 24.2-920, 24.2-921; 2000, c. 233 ; 2003, c. 248 ; 2004, c. 457 ; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 ; 2009, c. 231 ; 2025, cc. 535 , 537 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-900 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9 / Section 24.2-900
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 2006, cc. 787 and 892 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-510 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-510
Deadlines for parties to nominate by methods other than primary
Status: in_force

For any office, nominations by political parties by methods other than a primary shall be made and completed in the manner prescribed by law according to the following schedule:

1. For a general election in November, by 7:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday in June;

2. For a general election in May, by 7:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday in March;

3. For a special election held at the same time as a November general election, either (i) at least 81 days before the election or (ii) if the special election is held at the second November election after the vacancy occurred, by 7:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday in June before that November election;

4. For a special election held at the same time as a May general election, by 7:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday in March; or

5. For a special election held at a time other than a general election, (i) at least 60 days before the election; (ii) within five days of any writ of election or order calling a special election to be held less than 60 days after the issuance of the writ or order; or (iii) in the case of a special election to fill a vacancy in the General Assembly occurring between December 10 and March 1, within seven days of any writ of election or order calling such special election.

In the case of all general elections a party shall nominate its candidate for any office by a nonprimary method only within the 47 days immediately preceding the primary date established for nominating candidates for the office in question. This limitation shall have no effect, however, on nominations for special elections or pursuant to § 24.2-539 .

Code 1950, §§ 24-130, 24-131, 24-134.1, 24-135, 24-363, 24-364; 1958, c. 605; 1960, c. 427; 1962, c. 536; 1964, cc. 540, 541; 1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-166, 24.1-172; 1971, Ex. Sess., cc. 119, 247; 1972, c. 620; 1973, c. 30; 1974, c. 428; 1975, c. 515; 1976, c. 616; 1978, c. 778; 1981, c. 425; 1983, c. 461; 1984, c. 480; 1991, c. 137; 1993, c. 641; 2010, cc. 449 , 542 , 645 ; 2011, c. 599 ; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 239 ; 2026, c. 477 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-609 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 1 / Section 24.2-609
Voting booths
Status: in_force

Each electoral board or general registrar shall provide at each polling place in the county or city one or more voting booths. At least one booth shall be an enclosure which permits the voter to vote by printed ballot in secret and is equipped with a writing surface, operative writing implements, and adequate lighting. Enclosures for voting equipment shall provide for voting in secret and be adequately lighted. "Voting booth" includes enclosures for voting printed ballots and for voting equipment.

Code 1950, §§ 24-185, 24-302; 1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-100, 24.1-212; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 119; 1985, c. 458; 1993, c. 641; 2014, cc. 540 , 576 ; 2016, cc. 18 , 492 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-1012 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 10 / Section 24.2-1012
Offenses as to absent voters
Status: in_force

Any person who knowingly aids or abets or attempts to aid or abet a violation of the absentee voting procedures prescribed in § 24.2-649 and Chapter 7 (§ 24.2-700 et seq.) shall be guilty of a Class 5 felony.

Any person attempting to vote by fraudulently signing the name of a qualified voter shall be guilty of forgery and shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony.

Any public official who knowingly violates any of the provisions of the law concerning absent voters and thereby aids in any way the illegal casting, or attempting to cast a vote, or who connives to nullify any provisions of this chapter in order that fraud may be perpetrated, shall forever be disqualified from holding office in the Commonwealth and shall forever be disqualified from exercising the right of franchise.

Code 1950, § 24-345; 1956, c. 382; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-274; 1993, c. 641; 2006, c. 242 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-618 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 2 / Section 24.2-618
Delivery of ballots to electoral board or general registrar; checking and recording number
Status: in_force

A member of the electoral board or the general registrar, or an employee of the board or general registrar designated by the electoral board or the general registrar, shall receive the ballots after they are printed and shall certify the number of ballots received. This certificate shall be filed with other materials for the election.

Code 1950, §§ 24-223, 24-224; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-116; 1993, c. 641; 1997, c. 460 ; 2016, cc. 18 , 492 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-946.4 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 2 / Section 24.2-946.4
Right to grant extensions in special circumstances
Status: in_force

A. The State Board shall provide instructions to filers for delivery of campaign finance reports within the time periods prescribed by law.

B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any candidate or treasurer required to file a report pursuant to this chapter shall be entitled to a 72-hour extension of the filing deadline if his spouse, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, or sibling died within the 72 hours before the deadline. The State Board or the general registrar shall be authorized to grant an extension of the filing deadline for a period not to exceed five days for good cause shown by the filer and found by the Board or registrar sufficient to justify the granting of the extension.

C. The Commissioner of Elections shall have additional authority to extend a deadline established in this chapter for filing reports in emergency situations that interfere with the timely filing of reports. The extension shall be limited in scope to the areas and times affected by the emergency. The provisions of this subsection shall be applicable only in the case of an emergency declared by the Governor pursuant to Chapter 3.2 (§ 44-146.13 et seq.) of Title 44 or declared by the President of the United States and confirmed by the Governor by executive order as an emergency for the purposes of this subsection.

D. The Commissioner of Elections shall have additional authority to extend a deadline established in this chapter for filing reports for a reasonable period for a candidate who serves as his own campaign treasurer and who is a member of a uniformed service of the United States called to active duty during a reporting period.

E. The State Board shall have authority to extend any deadline applicable to reports required to be filed by computer or electronic means in the event of a failure of the computer or electronic filing system that prevents timely filing. The extension shall not exceed a period of up to five days after restoration of the filing system to operating order.

F. The State Board shall have authority also to grant extensions as provided in §§ 24.2-503 and 24.2-948.3 .

1975, c. 515, § 24.1-262; 1984, c. 480, § 24.1-257.1; 1986, c. 558, § 24.1-257.2; 1988, c. 734; 1990, c. 976; 1991, cc. 9, 709; 1993, c. 641, §§ 24.2-927, 24.2-929; 1994, c. 752 ; 1995, c. 785 ; 1996, c. 687 , § 24.2-914.1; 1997, cc. 364 , 392 ; 1998, c. 416 ; 1999, c. 864 ; 2000, cc. 234 , 511 , 555 ; 2001, cc. 620 , 635 , 648 ; 2002, cc. 468 , 652 ; 2003, cc. 242 , 726 ; 2004, cc. 457 , 480 ; 2005, cc. 9 , 371 , 676 , 745 ; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 ; 2013, c. 542 ; 2015, cc. 644 , 645 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-206 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 2 / Article 2 / Section 24.2-206
Election and term of United States Senators
Status: in_force

The qualified voters of the Commonwealth shall elect its members of the United States Senate at the general election held in November next preceding the expiration of each member's respective term of office, for terms of six years to begin on the January 3 following their election.

Code 1950, § 24-1; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-2; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-624 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 2 / Section 24.2-624
Opening and closing ballot containers; opening polls
Status: in_force

Immediately before the opening of the polls, an officer of election shall open the ballot containers in the presence of the political party or candidate representatives authorized to be present for the examination of voting equipment pursuant to § 24.2-639 , if such representatives are available. The officers shall inspect the containers to ensure that they are empty, lock them, and deliver the key to one of the officers. One of the officers shall forthwith proclaim that the polls are open. The containers shall not be opened until the close of the polls and shall then be opened for the purpose of counting the ballots therein. The containers shall be kept in view of those voting within the polling place during the hours of the election.

Code 1950, §§ 24-242, 24-243; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-124; 1972, c. 620; 1993, c. 641; 2003, c. 1015 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-949.11 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 4.1 / Section 24.2-949.11
Out-of-state political committees; reporting requirements
Status: in_force

A. The provisions of this section are applicable only to out-of-state political committees.

B. After the committee has met the requirements of § 24.2-949.10 and upon making any contribution to a candidate campaign committee or political committee registered in Virginia, the committee shall report its contributions and contributors in accordance with subsection C to the State Board of Elections by computer or electronic means as prescribed in § 24.2-946.1 .

C. The report required by subsection B shall include (i) a report of the contributions the committee has made to candidate campaign committees or political committees in the Commonwealth since the filing of a report of its contributions pursuant to subsection D of § 24.2-949.10 or this subsection during the period covered by the report and (ii) a list of each contributor who has contributed to the committee $2,500 or more in the aggregate since the filing of a list of its contributors pursuant to subsection D of § 24.2-949.10 or this subsection with the contributor's name, address, occupation, employer, and place of business and the dates and amounts of the contributor's contributions during the period covered by the report.

D. Upon transfer of a designated contribution to a designated candidate's campaign committee, the committee shall provide information to the campaign committee to identify the contributor as provided by § 24.2-947.4 .

E. The reporting requirements of this section shall continue in effect for each committee until a final report is filed that sets forth all contributions and expenditures not previously reported. The final report shall include a termination statement, signed by an officer of the committee, that all reporting is complete and final.

2006, cc. 771 , 805 , § 24.2-910.2; 2008, cc. 152 , 289 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-215 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 2 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-215
Election and term of members of the House of Delegates
Status: in_force

The members of the House of Delegates shall be elected at the general election in November 1995, and every two years thereafter for terms of two years, to begin on the second Wednesday in January succeeding their election.

Code 1950, § 24-11; 1958, c. 333; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-11; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-682 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 5 / Section 24.2-682
Times for special elections
Status: in_force

A. Notwithstanding any charter or special act to the contrary, the following provisions govern the times for holding special elections. Every special election shall be held on a Tuesday. No special election shall be held within the 55 days prior to a general or primary election. No special election shall be held on the same day as a primary election. A special election may be held on the same day as a general election.

B. A referendum election shall be ordered at least 81 days prior to the date for which the referendum election is called.

C. A special election to fill a vacancy in any constitutional office shall be held promptly and in accordance with the requirements of subsection A.

Code 1950, §§ 24-44, 24-136, 24-137, 24-138, 24-139, 24-141, 24-346; 1956, c. 378; 1966, c. 115; 1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-1(5)(c), 24.1-163, 24.1-165; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 119; 1972, c. 620; 1973, c. 30; 1974, c. 428; 1975, c. 515; 1976, c. 616; 1977, c. 30; 1978, cc. 258, 304, 778; 1979, c. 37; 1980, c. 639; 1981, c. 367; 1982, cc. 498, 650; 1983, c. 461; 1989, c. 322; 1991, c. 592; 1991, 1st Sp. Sess., c. 12; 1993, c. 641; 2000, cc. 787 , 1070 ; 2008, cc. 107 , 385 ; 2010, cc. 431 , 542 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-420.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-420.1
Extended time for persons to register in person
Status: in_force

A. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 24.2-416 , any person who is qualified to register to vote shall be entitled to register in person up to and including the day of the election at the office of the general registrar in the locality in which such person resides or at the polling place for the precinct in which such person resides.

B. The Department shall prescribe procedures for the addition of persons registered under this section to the lists of registered voters.

1995, c. 296 ; 2002, cc. 785 , 819 ; 2015, c. 740 ; 2020, c. 1153 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-684 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 5 / Section 24.2-684
How referendum elections called and held, and the results ascertained and certified
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provision of any law or charter to the contrary, the provisions of this section shall govern all referenda.

No referendum shall be placed on the ballot unless specifically authorized by statute or by charter.

Whenever any question is to be submitted to the voters of any county, city, town, or other local subdivision, the referendum shall in every case be held pursuant to a court order as provided in this section. The court order calling a referendum shall state the question to appear on the ballot in plain English as that term is defined in § 24.2-687 . The order shall be entered and the election held within a reasonable period of time subsequent to the receipt of the request for the referendum if the request is found to be in proper order. The court order shall set the date for the referendum in conformity with the requirements of § 24.2-682 .

A copy of the court order calling a referendum shall be sent immediately to the State Board by the clerk of the court in which the order was issued.

The ballot shall be prepared by the appropriate general registrar and distributed to the appropriate precincts. On the day fixed for the referendum, the regular election officers shall open the polls and take the sense of the qualified voters of the county, city, town, or other local subdivision, as the case may be, on the question so submitted. The ballots for use at any such election shall be printed to state the question as follows:

"(Here state briefly the question submitted)

[ ] Yes

[ ] No"

The ballots shall be printed, marked, and counted and returns made and canvassed as in other elections. The results shall be certified by the secretary of the appropriate electoral board to the State Board, to the court ordering the election, and to such other authority as may be proper to accomplish the purpose of the election.

Code 1950, § 24-141; 1966, c. 115; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-165; 1974, c. 428; 1975, c. 515; 1976, c. 616; 1978, cc. 258, 304; 1979, c. 37; 1980, c. 639; 1981, c. 367; 1982, cc. 498, 650; 1983, c. 461; 1991, c. 592; 1993, c. 641; 1994, c. 142 ; 1996, c. 297 ; 2016, cc. 18 , 492 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-413 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-413
Additional registration locations; accessibility requirements; prohibited conduct
Status: in_force

A. The office of the general registrar, and each agency, business, and establishment set for registration pursuant to §§ 24.2-411.2 and 24.2-411.3 and subsection B of § 24.2-412 shall be accessible as required by the provisions of the Virginians with Disabilities Act (§ 51.5-1 et seq.), the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act (52 U.S.C. § 20101 et seq.), and the Americans with Disabilities Act relating to public services (42 U.S.C. § 12131 et seq.). The Department shall provide instructions to the Department of Motor Vehicles, state-designated voter registration agencies, local electoral boards, and general registrars to assist them in complying with the requirements of the Acts.

In the selection of additional registration sites as provided in § 24.2-412 , consideration shall be given to accessibility so that a reasonable number of accessible sites are provided and the requirements of the above cited Acts are met.

B. It is unlawful for any person (i) to knowingly carry on or about his person any firearm as defined in § 18.2-308.2:2 and (ii) to knowingly do so within 100 feet of any building, or part thereof, while the building or part thereof is being used as an additional registration site, unless such person is (a) a law-enforcement officer or a retired law-enforcement officer qualified pursuant to subsection C of § 18.2-308.01 6; (b) occupying his own private property that falls within 100 feet of the building used as a meeting place; or (c) an armed security officer, licensed pursuant to Article 4 (§ 9.1-138 et seq.) of Chapter 1 of Title 9.1, whose employment or performance of his duties occurs within 100 feet of the additional registration site.

Code 1950, §§ 24-52, 24-52.1, 24-55, 24-61, 24-65, 24-66, 24-118.1; 1954, c. 691; 1962, c. 475; 1964, c. 608; 1968, cc. 97, 141; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-43; 1973, c. 30; 1974, c. 428; 1975, c. 515; 1976, c. 12; 1978, c. 778; 1981, c. 425; 1982, c. 290; 1983, c. 511; 1984, c. 480; 1985, c. 197; 1986, c. 558; 1988, c. 528; 1993, c. 641; 1996, cc. 72 , 73 ; 2015, c. 740 ; 2020, cc. 908 , 909 ; 2026, c. 1078 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-960 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.5 / Article 6 / Section 24.2-960
Identification and certification by online political advertisers
Status: in_force

A. Prior to purchasing an online political advertisement from or promoting an online political advertisement on an online platform, a person shall identify himself to the online platform as an online political advertiser and certify to the online platform that he is permitted under state and local laws to lawfully purchase or promote for a fee online political advertisements.

B. An online platform shall establish reasonable procedures to enable online political advertisers to comply with the identification and certification requirements of subsection A.

C. An online platform may rely in good faith on the information provided by online political advertisers under this section when selling online political advertisements to online political advertisers.

2020, c. 551 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-207 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 2 / Article 2 / Section 24.2-207
Filling vacancies in Senate
Status: in_force

When any vacancy occurs in the representation of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States Senate, the Governor shall issue a writ of election to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term. The election shall be held on the next succeeding November general election date or, if the vacancy occurs within 120 days prior to that date, on the second succeeding November general election date. The Governor may make a temporary appointment to fill the vacancy until the qualified voters fill the same by election.

Code 1950, § 24-2; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-3; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-456 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4.1 / Section 24.2-456
Overseas voter's registration address
Status: in_force

In registering to vote, an overseas voter who is eligible to vote in this state shall use and must be assigned to the voting precinct of the address of the last place of residence of the voter in this state or, in the case of a voter described by subdivision 1 e of § 24.2-452 , the address of the last place of residence in this state of the parent or legal guardian of the voter. If that address is no longer a recognized residential address, the voter must be assigned an address for voting purposes.

2012, c. 353 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-418.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-418.1
Receipt for voter registration applicants
Status: in_force

A. The state form for the application to register to vote shall contain a receipt that shall be given to the applicant upon his completion of the form. The receipt shall be completed by the person receiving the form from the applicant and shall include the following information: the name of the office, group, or person receiving the registration application; the date that the office, group, or person received the registration application from the applicant; and the phone number of the general registrar or the toll-free phone number of the Department of Elections that the applicant may call to confirm his registration.

B. The requirement to complete the receipt as provided in subsection A shall not be applicable when a completed form is mailed directly to or completed in the office of a general registrar or the Department.

2008, c. 865 ; 2015, c. 740 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-946 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 2 / Section 24.2-946
Summary of election laws; forms; instructions
Status: in_force

A. The State Board shall summarize the provisions of the election laws relating to the Campaign Finance Disclosure Act of 2006 and provide for distribution of this summary and prescribed forms to each candidate, person, or committee on request or upon their first filing with the State Board pursuant to this chapter, whichever occurs first.

B. The State Board shall designate the forms required for complying with this chapter which shall be the only such forms used in complying with the provisions of this chapter.

C. The State Board shall provide, with the summary required by this section, instructions for persons filing reports pursuant to this chapter to assist them in completing the reports. The instructions shall include directions for the reporting of filing fees for any party nomination method. The instructions shall set out the requirements for retaining records and materials for implementing the review provisions of § 24.2-948.5 .

D. The State Board shall provide instructions for candidates who seek election for successive terms in the same office for the filing of reports within each appropriate election cycle for the office and for the aggregation of contributions within each election cycle.

E. The State Board, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, shall develop and publish guidance on the provisions of the Act that prohibit the personal use of campaign funds. Such guidance shall cover the provisions that prohibit the personal use of campaign funds and shall delineate the differences between prohibited personal uses of campaign funds and permitted uses of the funds and shall include examples of conduct that complies with and that violates such provisions. The State Board shall periodically update such guidance to incorporate advisory opinions and additional examples.

1970, c. 462, § 24.1-252; 1975, c. 515; 1983, c. 119; 1992, c. 447; 1993, c. 641, § 24.2-903; 1996, c. 405 ; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 ; 2010, c. 268 ; 2022, c. 258 ; 2025, cc. 535 , 537 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-949.6 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-949.6
Filing schedule for political action committees
Status: in_force

A. Political action committees shall file the prescribed campaign finance reports with the State Board in accordance with the applicable provisions of this section. The first filed report shall be complete for the entire period from the time the committee was organized or contributions were received.

B. The reporting requirements shall continue in effect for each committee until a final report is filed.

C. Political action committees shall file the prescribed campaign finance reports as follows:

1. Not later than April 15 complete from the preceding report through March 31;

2. Not later than June 1 complete from the preceding report through May 25;

3. Not later than September 15 complete from the preceding report through August 31;

4. Not later than October 15 complete from the preceding report through October 7; and

5. Not later than January 15 complete from the preceding report through December 31, and then continuing in accordance with this subsection until a final report is filed.

D. A political action committee that files its statement of organization on or after March 15 and before the third Tuesday in June in any odd-numbered year shall file with its statement of organization a campaign finance report as provided in § 24.2-949.5 for that year, complete through the date that it files its statement of organization, and if such political action committee files its statement of organization before May 25, such political action committee shall file its next campaign finance report in accordance with subdivision C 2.

E. A political action committee that files its statement of organization on or after August 15 and before the November election day in any odd-numbered year shall file with its statement of organization a campaign finance report as provided in § 24.2-949.5 for that year, complete through the date that it files its statement of organization, and if such political action committee files its statement of organization before October 7, such political action committee shall file its next campaign finance report in accordance with subdivision C 4.

1984, c. 480, § 24.1-923; 1991, cc. 9, 709; 1993, cc. 639, 641, § 24.2-923; 1995, c. 785 ; 2002, cc. 156 , 237 ; 2003, c. 256 ; 2004, c. 26 ; 2005, c. 9 ; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 ; 2008, c. 547 ; 2012, c. 525 ; 2016, c. 401 ; 2023, c. 764 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-107 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 1 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-107
Meetings; quorum; notice; account of proceedings; seal; records open to inspection
Status: in_force

A. The electoral board of each city and county shall meet during the first week in February of the year in which it is to appoint officers of election pursuant to § 24.2-115 and during the month of March each year at the time set by the board and at any other time on the call of any board member. Two members shall constitute a quorum. Notice of each meeting shall be given to all board members either by the secretary or the member calling the meeting at least three business days prior to the meeting except in the case of an emergency as defined in § 2.2-3701 . Notice shall be given to the public as required by § 2.2-3707 . All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.) unless otherwise provided by this section.

Notwithstanding the public notice requirements of § 2.2-3707 , two or more members of an electoral board may meet on election day to discuss a matter concerning that day's election, where such matter requires resolution on that day, and an effort has been made by all available means to give notice of the meeting to all board members. The presence of two or more board members while the ballots, election materials, or voting equipment are being prepared, current or potential polling places are being inspected, or election officials are being trained, or a telephone call between two board members preparing for a meeting, shall not constitute a meeting provided that no discussion or deliberation takes place that would otherwise constitute a meeting.

B. The secretary shall keep an accurate account of all board proceedings in a minute book, including all appointments and removals of general registrars and officers of election. The secretary shall keep in his custody the duly adopted seal of the board.

C. Minutes of meetings that are required to be recorded pursuant to § 2.2-3707 shall be posted on the website of the electoral board or the official website for the county or city, when such means are available. Minutes of meetings shall be posted as soon as possible but no later than one week prior to the following meeting of the electoral board.

D. Books, papers, and records of the board shall be open to public inspection and copying whenever the general registrar's office is open for business either at the office of the board or the office of the general registrar. The general registrar shall determine a reasonable charge, not to exceed the fee authorized pursuant to subdivision A 8 of § 17.1-275 , to be paid for copies made from the books, papers, and records of the board. No election record containing an individual's social security number, or any part thereof, shall be made available for inspection or copying by anyone. The State Board of Elections shall prescribe procedures for local electoral boards and general registrars to make the information in certificates of candidate qualification available in a manner that does not reveal social security numbers or any parts thereof.

E. It is unlawful for any person (i) to knowingly carry on or about his person any firearm as defined in § 18.2-308.2:2 and (ii) to knowingly do so within 100 feet of any building, or part thereof, used as a meeting place for the local electoral board, unless such person is (a) a law-enforcement officer or a retired law-enforcement officer qualified pursuant to subsection C of § 18.2-308.01 6; (b) occupying his own private property that falls within 100 feet of the building used as a meeting place; or (c) an armed security officer, licensed pursuant to Article 4 (§ 9.1-138 et seq.) of Chapter 1 of Title 9.1, whose employment or performance of his duties occurs within 100 feet of any building, or part thereof, used as a meeting place for the local electoral board.

Code 1950, §§ 24-34, 24-43; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-30; 1978, c. 778; 1979, c. 27; 1982, c. 290; 1993, c. 641; 1994, c. 656 ; 2003, c. 1015 ; 2007, cc. 311 , 318 ; 2013, cc. 461 , 525 ; 2014, c. 395 ; 2016, c. 403 ; 2026, c. 1078 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-537 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 5 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-537
Procedure when nominee by default dies or withdraws or nomination is set aside prior to primary
Status: in_force

A. If any person who would have been nominated as the candidate of a political party for any office in any general election by reason of the fact that he was the only person who filed the required declaration of and petition for candidacy dies or withdraws as the party candidate, or his nomination is set aside for any reason, 45 days or more before the day on which the primary would have been held if two or more candidates had qualified, the appropriate committee of the political party shall determine the time and method of nominating its candidate for the office.

B. If the party committee determines that the party's nominee shall be elected at the scheduled primary, any person desiring to become a candidate for nomination by the party at that primary who is otherwise qualified may file a declaration of and petition for his candidacy with the proper chairman of his party committee. No person whose nomination has been set aside for fraud knowingly participated in by the candidate, or other person who knowingly participated in such fraud, shall be deemed qualified. The declaration and petition shall comply in every respect with the requirements established generally for such declarations and petitions in this article, except that the declaration and petition shall be filed at least 35 days before the day on which the primary is to be held.

If more than one person qualifies, the party chairman shall promptly certify their names to the State Board and the appropriate electoral boards as having qualified under the provisions of this section. The electoral boards having charge of the printing of the official ballots for the primary election shall either:

1. Cause to be printed thereon the name of every person so certified; or

2. If the official ballots have already been printed, cause separate ballots to be printed for the office for which two or more persons have qualified pursuant to the provisions of this section.

In the event that only one person qualifies as a candidate in accordance with the provisions of this section, the person so qualifying shall be declared the nominee of his party for that office and his name shall not be printed on the primary ballot.

In the event that no person qualifies as a candidate pursuant to the provisions of this section, or that the death or withdrawal or setting aside of candidacy of any such party nominee should occur at a time which is less than 45 days prior to any such primary, the appropriate committee of the political party shall determine the time and method of nominating its candidate for the office.

C. No party shall nominate any person whose nomination has been set aside for fraud knowingly participated in by the candidate, or any other person who knowingly participated in such fraud.

Code 1950, § 24-391; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-195; 1983, c. 483; 1993, c. 641; 2010, cc. 449 , 645 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-412 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-412
Other locations and times for voter registration
Status: in_force

A. In addition to voter registration locations provided for in §§ 24.2-411 , 24.2-411.2 , and 24.2-411.3 , opportunities for voter registration may be provided at other agency offices, business offices, establishments, and occasional sites open to the general public, and shall be provided as required by this section. Voter registration shall be conducted only in public places open to the general public and at preannounced hours. Deputy registrars should serve during such hours and at such places. The conduct of voter registration by the general registrar or a deputy registrar in public places at preannounced hours shall not be deemed solicitation of registration.

B. The general registrar is authorized to set within his jurisdiction ongoing locations and times for registration in local or state government agency offices or in businesses or other establishments open to the general public, subject to the approval of, and pursuant to an agreement with, the head of the government agency, the owner or manager of the business or establishment, or the designee of either. The agreement shall provide for the appointment of employees of the agency, business, or establishment to serve as deputy registrars and shall be in writing and approved by the local electoral board prior to implementation.

Employees of the agency, business, or establishment who are appointed to serve as deputy registrars may be nonresidents of the jurisdiction they are appointed to serve, provided that (i) they are qualified voters of the Commonwealth and (ii) they serve only at their place of employment within the jurisdiction they are appointed to serve.

C. The general registrar or electoral board may set additional occasional sites and times for registration within the jurisdiction. A multifamily residential building not usually open to the public may be used as an occasional registration site so long as the public has free access to the site during the time for registering voters. Voter registration conducted in a high school or at the location of a naturalization ceremony shall not be required to be open to the public.

Code 1950, §§ 24-74 through 24-76, 24-78; 1963, Ex. Sess., c. 2; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-49; 1975, c. 515; 1976, c. 616; 1984, c. 480; 1985, c. 530; 1986, c. 248, § 24.1-45.2; 1987, c. 478; 1988, c. 305; 1989, c. 743; 1991, cc. 42, 136; 1993, c. 641; 1996, cc. 72 , 73 ; 1997, cc. 523 , 539 ; 2020, cc. 858 , 908 , 909 ; 2022, c. 140 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-112 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 1 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-112
Deputy registrars; employees
Status: in_force

A. The electoral board of each county and city shall determine the number of deputy registrars to serve in the office of the general registrar, including any to serve full-time.

In Russell County, there shall be at least one full-time deputy registrar who shall serve in the office of the general registrar.

In any county or city whose population is over 15,500, there shall be at least one deputy registrar who shall serve at least one day each week in the office of the general registrar.

Any county or city whose population is 15,500 or less shall have at least one substitute registrar who is able to take over the duties of the general registrar in an emergency and who shall assist the general registrar when he requests.

B. The electoral board shall set the term for the deputy registrars; however, their terms shall not extend beyond the term set by law of the incumbent general registrar. The general registrar shall establish the duties of deputy registrars, appoint deputy registrars, and have authority to remove any deputy registrar who fails to discharge the duties of his office.

All deputy registrars shall have the same limitations and qualifications and fulfill the same requirements as the general registrar except that (i) a deputy registrar may be an officer of election and (ii) a deputy registrar shall be a qualified voter of the Commonwealth but is not required to be a qualified voter of the county or city in which he serves as deputy registrar. Candidates who are residents in the county or city for which they seek appointment may be given preference in hiring. Localities may mutually agree to share a deputy registrar among two or more localities. Deputy registrars who agree to serve without pay shall be supervised and trained by the general registrar.

All other employees shall be employed by the general registrar. The general registrar may hire additional temporary employees on a part-time basis as needed.

C. The compensation of any deputy registrar, other than those who agree to serve without pay, or any other employee of the general registrar shall be fixed and paid by the local governing body and shall be the equivalent of or exceed the minimum hourly wage established by federal law in 29 U.S.C. § 206 (a)(1), as amended.

D. The general registrar shall not appoint to the office of paid deputy registrar his spouse or any person, or the spouse of any person, who is his parent, grandparent, sibling, child, or grandchild.

E. Upon appointment or employment pursuant to this section, a deputy registrar or any employee of the office of the general registrar shall be eligible for protected voter status under subsection B of § 24.2-418 .

Code 1950, § 24-58; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-45; 1973, c. 30; 1974, c. 428; 1975, c. 515; 1982, c. 650; 1983, c. 470; 1984, c. 480; 1986, c. 558, § 24.1-45.3; 1993, c. 641; 1999, c. 115 ; 2001, cc. 637 , 638 , 642 , 643 ; 2003, c. 232 ; 2007, c. 813 ; 2018, c. 465 ; 2022, c. 140 ; 2024, c. 309 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-957 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.5 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-957
General provisions; applicability to advertisements in video format
Status: in_force

A. Television outlets and online platforms shall not be liable under this article for carriage of political advertisements that fail to include the disclosure requirements provided for in this article. This provision supersedes any contrary provisions of the Code of Virginia.

B. If the sponsor does not have the option of controlling the audio, if any, heard during the television advertisement, the disclosure requirements shall be the same as for print media.

C. The person accepting an advertisement for a television outlet shall require, and for one year shall retain a copy of, proof of identity of the person who submits the advertisement for broadcast. Proof of identity shall be submitted either (i) in person and include a valid Virginia driver's license, or any other identification card issued by a government agency of the Commonwealth, one of its political subdivisions, or the United States, or (ii) other than in person, in which case, the person submitting the advertisement shall provide a telephone number and the person accepting the advertisement may phone the person to verify the validity of the person's identifying information before broadcasting the advertisement.

D. Any disclosure statement required by this article shall be displayed in a conspicuous manner.

E. An advertisement that is in video format and is placed or promoted for a fee on an online platform shall be subject to the same disclosure requirements to which television advertisements are subject pursuant to this article.

2002, c. 487 , § 24.2-944; 2004, cc. 55 , 457 ; 2005, c. 369 ; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 ; 2020, c. 551 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-234.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 2 / Article 7 / Section 24.2-234.1
Removal of members of local electoral boards and general registrars
Status: in_force

A. Any member of a local electoral board may be removed from office by the circuit court in whose jurisdiction he resides upon a petition signed by a majority of the members of the State Board as provided in § 24.2-103 . The circuit court shall proceed with such removal in accordance with the provisions of § 24.2-235 .

B. Any general registrar may be removed from office by the circuit court in whose jurisdiction he serves upon a petition signed by a majority of the members of the State Board as provided in § 24.2-103 or a majority of the members of his local electoral board as provided in § 24.2-109 . The circuit court shall proceed with such removal in accordance with the provisions of § 24.2-235 .

C. Any member of a local electoral board or general registrar against whom a petition for removal has been filed may apply to the Virginia Division of Risk Management to assign counsel to his defense and any subsequent appeal. The Division shall assign counsel in accordance with the provisions of § 24.2-121 .

2023, cc. 256 , 257 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-1002.01 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 10 / Section 24.2-1002.01
Destruction of, or failure to mail or deliver, voter registration application; penalty
Status: in_force

If any person (i) agrees to mail or deliver a signed voter registration application to the voter registrar or other appropriate person authorized to receive the application and (ii) intentionally interferes with the applicant's effort to register either by destroying the application or by failing to mail or deliver the application in a timely manner, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The mailing or delivery of an application shall be deemed timely for the purposes of this section if it is mailed or delivered within 10 days of the applicant's signature or in accordance with the provisions of § 24.2-416.4 for processing before the closing of the registration records for the pending election whichever comes first. This section shall not apply to any state or local government employee acting in his official capacity. If any person intentionally solicits multiple registrations from any one person or intentionally falsifies a registration application, he shall be guilty of a Class 5 felony.

1997, c. 337 ; 2005, cc. 339 , 412 ; 2013, c. 465 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-604.4 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 1 / Section 24.2-604.4
Polling places; authorized representatives of party or candidate; prohibited activities
Status: in_force

A. The officers of election shall permit one authorized representative of each political party or independent candidate in a general or special election, or one authorized representative of each candidate in a primary election, to remain in the room in which the election is being conducted at all times. A representative may serve part of the day and be replaced by successive representatives. The officers of election shall have discretion to permit up to three authorized representatives of each political party or independent candidate in a general or special election, or up to three authorized representatives of each candidate in a primary election, to remain in the room in which the election is being conducted. The officers shall permit one such representative for each pollbook station. However, no more than one such representative for each pollbook station or three representatives of any political party or independent candidate, whichever number is larger, shall be permitted in the room at any one time.

B. Each authorized representative shall be a qualified voter of any jurisdiction of the Commonwealth. No candidate whose name is printed on the ballot shall serve as a representative of a party or candidate for purposes of this section.

Each representative shall present to the officers of election a written statement designating him to be a representative of the party or candidate that is signed by the county or city chairman of his political party, the independent candidate, or the primary candidate, as appropriate. If the county or city chairman is unavailable to sign such a written designation, such a designation may be made by the state or district chairman of the political party. However, no written designation made by a state or district chairman shall take precedence over a written designation made by the county or city chairman. Such statement, bearing the chairman's or candidate's original signature, may be photocopied, and such photocopy shall be as valid as if the copy had been signed.

C. Authorized representatives shall be allowed, whether in a regular polling place or central absentee voter precinct, to be close enough to the voter check-in table to be able to hear and see what is occurring; however, such observation shall not violate the secret vote provision of Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution of Virginia or otherwise interfere with the orderly process of the election. Any representative who complains to the chief officer of election that he is unable to hear or see the process may accept the chief officer's decision or, if dissatisfied, he may immediately appeal the decision to the local electoral board or general registrar.

D. Authorized representatives shall be allowed, whether in a regular polling place or central absentee voter precinct, to use a handheld wireless communications device but shall not be allowed to use such a device to capture a digital image inside the polling place or central absentee voter precinct. The officers of election may prohibit the use of cellular telephones or other handheld wireless communications devices if such use will result in a violation of subsection A or C of § 24.2-604 or § 24.2-607 .

E. Authorized representatives shall not be allowed in any case to provide assistance to any voter as permitted under § 24.2-649 or to wear any indication that they are authorized to assist voters either inside the polling place or within 40 feet of any entrance to the polling place.

F. The officers of election may require any person who is found by a majority of the officers present to be in violation of this section to remain outside of the prohibited area.

2020, c. 561 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-709.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 7 / Section 24.2-709.1
(Effective until January 1, 2027) Processing returned absentee ballots before election day; cure process
Status: in_force

A. On receipt of an absentee ballot returned in person or by mail to the office of the general registrar or to a drop-off location before election day, the general registrar shall mark the date of receipt in the voter's record and shall examine the ballot envelope to verify completion of the required voter affirmation. A voter affirmation statement shall not be deemed to be incomplete on the sole basis of the voter's failure to provide (i) his full name or his middle initial, as long as the voter provided his full first and last name, or (ii) the date, or any part of the date, including the year, on which he signed the statement.

B. If the voter affirmation has been completed as required, the general registrar may open the sealed ballot envelope and insert the ballot in optical scan counting equipment or other secure ballot container without initiating any ballot count totals. If a general registrar does not choose to do so, the sealed ballot envelope shall be deposited into a secure container provided for such purpose, in which it shall remain until the general registrar initiates the process of opening the sealed ballot envelopes deposited into the secure container and inserting such ballots into optical scan counting equipment without initiating any ballot count totals. Such process shall be at the general registrar's discretion at any time prior to the seventh day immediately preceding the election but shall be mandatory beginning on the seventh day immediately preceding the election.

At least two officers of election, one representing each political party, shall be present during all hours when sealed ballot envelopes are opened as authorized in or required by this subsection. No person present while sealed ballot envelopes are opened and ballots are inserted into counting equipment shall disclose any information concerning the ballots.

In the event that circumstances prevent a general registrar from complying with the provisions of this subsection, such failure shall not be grounds for contesting the election pursuant to Article 2 (§ 24.2-803 et seq.) of Chapter 8 and shall not invalidate the absentee ballots.

C. For any absentee ballot received by the Friday immediately preceding the day of the election, if the general registrar finds during the examination of the ballot envelope that the required voter affirmation was not correctly or completely filled out or that a procedure required by § 24.2-707 was not properly followed, and such error or failure would render the ballot void by law, the general registrar shall enter into the voter's record in the voter registration system that the absentee ballot has an issue requiring correction in order for it to be counted. This information shall be included on any absentee voter applicant list provided pursuant to subsection C of § 24.2-710 .

Within three days of such finding, the registrar shall notify the voter in writing or by email of the error or failure and shall provide information to the voter on how to correct the issue so his ballot may be counted. The voter shall be entitled to make such necessary corrections before noon on the third day after the election, and his ballot shall then be counted pursuant to the procedures set forth in this chapter if he is found to be entitled to vote. No absentee ballot needing correction shall be delivered to the officers of election at the appropriate precinct until the voter is provided the opportunity to make the necessary corrections pursuant to this subsection.

The general registrar may issue a new absentee ballot to the voter if necessary and shall preserve the first ballot with other spoiled ballots.

2007, cc. 171 , 281 ; 2012, cc. 328 , 486 ; 2013, c. 501 ; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 471 , 522 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-126.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 1.1 / Section 24.2-126.1
Vote dilution prohibited
Status: in_force

A. The governing body of any locality shall not impose or apply any method of election in a manner that has the effect of impairing the equal opportunity or ability of members of a protected class to nominate or elect candidates of their choice or to influence the outcome of an election as a result of diluting or abridging the vote of members of that protected class.

B. A violation of subsection A is established when it is shown that either (i) local elections exhibit racially polarized voting that disparately impairs the equal opportunity or ability of members of a protected class to nominate or elect candidates of their choice or to influence the outcome of an election or (ii) based on the totality of the circumstances, the equal opportunity or ability of members of a protected class to nominate or elect candidates of their choice or to influence the outcome of an election is impaired.

C. The fact that members of a protected class are not geographically compact or concentrated shall not preclude a finding of racially polarized voting or a violation of subsection A but may be a factor in determining whether an appropriate remedy exists to mitigate the impairment.

D. Where there is evidence that the members of more than one protected class are politically cohesive in the locality, members of each of those protected classes may be combined and the court shall consider only the combined electoral preferences of those protected classes in determining whether racially polarized voting exists in the locality or if a violation of subsection A has occurred. Evidence that sub-groups within a protected class have different voting patterns shall not be considered.

E. Evidence concerning the cause of, or reason for, the occurrence of racially polarized voting is not relevant to the determination of whether it exists, and evidence that voting patterns and election outcomes could be explained by factors other than racially polarized voting shall not be considered.

F. Evidence concerning projected changes in population or demographics shall not be considered in the determination if a violation of subsection A has occurred but may be a factor in determining whether an appropriate remedy exists to mitigate the impairment.

2026, c. 717 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-607 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 1 / Section 24.2-607
Prohibited conduct; intimidation of voters; disturbance of election; how prevented; penalties
Status: in_force

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to hinder, intimidate, or interfere with any qualified voter so as to prevent the voter from casting a secret ballot. The officers of election may order a person violating this subsection to cease such action. If such person does not promptly desist, the officers of election, or a majority of them, may order the arrest of such person by any person authorized by law to make arrests, and, by their warrant, may commit him to the county or city jail, as the case may be, for a period not exceeding twenty-four hours. Any person violating this subsection shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

B. No person shall conduct himself in a noisy or riotous manner at or about the polls so as to disturb the election or insult or abuse an officer of election. Any person authorized to make arrests may forthwith arrest a person engaging in such conduct and bring him before the officers of the election, and they, by their warrant, may commit him to the county or city jail, as the case may be, for a period not exceeding twenty-four hours; but they shall permit him to vote if he is so entitled.

Code 1950, §§ 24-190, 24-192; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-104; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-118 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 1 / Article 5 / Section 24.2-118
Appointments when officers fail to serve
Status: in_force

If an officer of election is absent or unable to serve and the polls have been open for one hour, the remaining officers of election shall appoint a substitute officer of election for the precinct. The substitute officer shall possess the same qualifications and, after taking the requisite oath, have the same powers as officers appointed by an electoral board.

Code 1950, § 24-197; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-108; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-1009 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 10 / Section 24.2-1009
Stealing or tampering with ballot containers, voting or registration equipment, software, records or documents
Status: in_force

Any person who (i) steals or willfully, fraudulently, or wrongfully tampers with any part of any ballot container, voting or registration equipment, records, or documents, which are used in any way within the registration or election process, (ii) steals or willfully, fraudulently, or wrongfully tampers with the software used to prepare and operate voting equipment or the software or hardware used to collect and disseminate election returns, (iii) steals or willfully, fraudulently, or wrongfully tampers with an electronic activation device or electronic data storage medium of the type used to prepare, operate or back-up electronic voting equipment, (iv) willfully, fraudulently, or wrongfully intercepts, alters or disrupts the electronic transmission of election returns or the posting of returns on the Internet, (v) fraudulently makes any entry, deletion, or alteration to any item listed in (i), or (vi) aids, abets, or permits any other person to violate the provisions of clauses (i) through (v), shall be guilty of a Class 5 felony.

Code 1950, §§ 24-318, 24-404; 1952, c. 4; 1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-273, 24.1-275; 1981, c. 425; 1991, c. 710; 1993, c. 641; 2003, c. 1015 ; 2004, cc. 993 , 1010 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-947.6 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-947.6
Filing schedule for candidates for office; November elections
Status: in_force

A. Any candidate for any office to be filled at a November general election shall file the prescribed campaign finance reports as follows:

1. Not later than July 15 in a nonelection year for the period January 1 through June 30;

2. Not later than January 15 following a nonelection year for the period July 1 through December 31;

3. In an election year, not later than April 15 for the period January 1 through March 31 and pursuant to subdivisions 4 through 9 of this section;

4. Not later than the eighth day before the primary date complete through the twelfth day before the primary date;

5. Not later than July 15 complete through June 30;

6. Not later than September 15 complete through August 31;

7. Not later than October 15 complete through September 30;

8. Not later than the eighth day before the November election date complete through the twelfth day before the election date;

9. Not later than the thirtieth day after the November election date complete through the twenty-third day after the election date; and

10. Not later than January 15 following an election year complete through December 31, and then in accordance with subdivisions A 1 and A 2 or subdivisions A 3 through A 9, as appropriate, of this subsection until a final report is filed.

B. Any candidate, who was subject to the election year filing schedule set out in subdivisions A 3 through A 9 and who has not filed a final report, shall file reports in any subsequent election year for the same office in accordance with the election year filing schedule set out in subdivisions A 3 through A 9.

C. Any candidate shall also file any report of certain large contributions required by § 24.2-947.9 , if applicable.

1986, c. 558, § 24.1-257.2; 1988, c. 734; 1991, c. 709; 1993, cc. 639, 641, § 24.2-916; 1995, c. 785 ; 2004, c. 26 ; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 ; 2010, c. 696 ; 2015, c. 646 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-947.5 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-947.5
With whom candidates file reports; electronic filing requirement
Status: in_force

A. Candidates for statewide office and for the General Assembly shall file the reports required by this article by computer or electronic means in accordance with the standards approved by the State Board.

B. Candidates for local or constitutional office in any locality shall file reports required by this article with the State Board by computer or electronic means in accordance with the standards approved by the State Board and shall not be required to file reports with the general registrar of the locality in which the candidate resides.

C. Except as provided in § 24.2-948.1 , candidates for any other office who file reports in nonelectronic format shall file with the general registrar of the locality in which the candidate resides.

D. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection C, a former candidate who is no longer seeking election but has not yet filed a final report as required by § 24.2-948.4 and who files reports in nonelectronic format shall file with the general registrar of the locality in which he sought office.

E. Any report that may be filed with the State Board by mail shall be (i) received by the State Board by the deadline for filing the report or (ii) transmitted to the State Board by telephonic transmission to a facsimile device by the deadline for filing the report with an original copy of the report mailed to the State Board and postmarked by the deadline for filing the report.

1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-253, 24.1-254; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 222; 1972, cc. 620, 622; 1975, c. 515; 1978, c. 778; 1983, c. 119; 1984, c. 480; 1986, c. 558, § 24.1-257.2; 1988, c. 734; 1991, c. 709; 1993, c. 641, §§ 24.2-904, 24.2-915; 1996, c. 405 ; 2000, cc. 304 , 511 , 555 ; 2001, cc. 618 , 794 , 810 ; 2002, c. 468 ; 2003, c. 248 ; 2004, cc. 441 , 480 ; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 ; 2007, cc. 151 , 286 ; 2015, cc. 644 , 645 ; 2018, cc. 538 , 683 ; 2020, c. 769 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-310.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 3 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-310.1
Polling places; additional requirement
Status: in_force

The requirement stated in this section shall be in addition to requirements stated in §§ 24.2-307 , 24.2-308 , and 24.2-310 , including the requirement that polling places be located in public buildings whenever practical. No polling place shall be located in a building which serves primarily as the headquarters, office, or assembly building for any private organization, other than an organization of a civic, educational, religious, charitable, historical, patriotic, cultural, or similar nature, unless the State Board has approved the use of the building because no other building meeting the accessibility requirements of this title is available.

1993, c. 904, § 24.1-37.1; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-657 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-657
Determination of vote on voting systems
Status: in_force

In the presence of all persons who may be present lawfully at the time, giving full view of the voting systems or printed return sheets, the officers of election shall determine and announce the results as shown by the counters or printed return sheets, including the votes recorded for each office on the write-in ballots, and shall also announce the vote on every question. The vote as registered shall be entered on the statement of results. When completed, the statement shall be compared with the number on the counters on the equipment or on the printed return sheets. If, on any ballot scanner, the number of persons voting in the election, or the number of votes cast for any office or on any question, totals more than the number of names on the pollbooks of persons voting on the machines, then the figures recorded by the machines shall be accepted as correct. A statement to that effect shall be entered by the officers of election in the space provided on the statement of results.

Code 1950, § 24-312; 1966, c. 453; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-222; 1974, c. 428; 1979, c. 329; 1981, c. 425; 1983, c. 461; 1985, c. 458; 1993, c. 641; 2014, cc. 540 , 576 ; 2016, c. 464 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-545 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 5 / Article 7 / Section 24.2-545
Presidential primary
Status: in_force

A. The duly constituted authorities of the state political party shall have the right to determine the method by which the state party will select its delegates to the national convention to choose the party's nominees for President and Vice President of the United States including a presidential primary or another method determined by the party. The state chairman shall notify the State Board of the party's determination at least 90 days before the primary date. If the party has determined that it will hold a presidential primary, each registered voter of the Commonwealth shall be given an opportunity to participate in the presidential primary of the political party, as defined in § 24.2-101 , subject to requirements determined by the political party for participation in its presidential primary. The requirements may include, but shall not be limited to, the signing of a pledge by the voter of his intention to support the party's candidate when offering to vote in the primary. The requirements applicable to a party's primary shall be determined at least 90 days prior to the primary date and certified to, and approved by, the State Board.

B. Any person seeking the nomination of the national political party for the office of President of the United States, or any group organized in the Commonwealth on behalf of, and with the consent of such person, may file with the State Board petitions signed by at least 5,000 qualified voters, including at least 200 qualified voters from each congressional district in the Commonwealth, who attest that they intend to participate in the primary of the same political party as the candidate for whom the petitions are filed. Such petitions shall be filed with the State Board by the primary filing deadline. The petitions shall be on a form prescribed by the State Board and shall be sealed in one or more containers to which is attached a written statement giving the name of the presidential candidate and the number of signatures on the petitions contained in the containers. Such person or group shall also attach a list of the names of persons who would be elected delegates and alternate delegates to the political party's national convention if the person wins the primary and the party has determined that its delegates will be selected pursuant to the primary. The slate of delegates and alternates shall comply with the rules of the national and state party.

The State Board shall transmit the material so filed to the state chairman of the party of the candidate immediately after the primary filing deadline. The sealed containers containing the petitions for a candidate may be opened only by the state chairman of the party of the candidate. The state chairman of the party shall, by the deadline set by the State Board, furnish to the State Board the names of all candidates who have satisfied the requirements of this section. In furnishing the name of each such candidate, the state chairman shall certify that a review of the filed candidate petitions found the required minimum number of signatures of qualified voters for that office to have been met. Whenever only one candidate for a party's nomination for President of the United States has met the requirements to have his name on the ballot, he will be declared the winner and no presidential primary for that party will be held.

C. The names of all candidates in the presidential primary of each political party shall appear on the ballot in an order determined by lot by the State Board.

D. The State Board shall certify the results of the presidential primary to the state chairman. If the party has determined that its delegates and alternates will be selected pursuant to the primary, the slate of delegates and alternates of the candidate receiving the most votes in the primary shall be deemed elected by the state party unless the party has determined another method for allocation of delegates and alternates. If the party has determined to use another method for selecting delegates and alternates, those delegates and alternates shall be bound to vote on the first ballot at the national convention for the candidate receiving the most votes in the primary unless that candidate releases those delegates and alternates from such vote.

E. The election, or binding of votes, of delegates to a political party's national convention for the nomination of that party's candidates for President and Vice President of the United States through the presidential primary process shall be considered to be equivalent to a primary for the nomination of a party's candidate.

F. The cost of the presidential primary shall be paid by the Commonwealth pursuant to the provisions of the appropriation act.

1999, c. 972 ; 2000, c. 379 ; 2003, c. 1015 ; 2011, cc. 570 , 584 ; 2013, cc. 443 , 521 , 550 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-950.3 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 5 / Section 24.2-950.3
Political party committee treasurer requirements and responsibilities
Status: in_force

A. The treasurer shall keep detailed and accurate accounts of all contributions turned over to and expenditures made by the political party committee, the treasurer, or other officer on behalf of the political party committee, or reported to the treasurer pursuant to this article. Such account shall set forth the date of the contribution or expenditure, its amount or value, the name and address of the person or committee making the contribution or to whom the expenditure was made, and the object or purpose of the contribution or expenditure.

Such books and records may be destroyed or discarded at any time after (i) one year from the date of filing the final report required by § 24.2-950.9 or (ii) a period of three years, whichever first occurs, unless a court of competent jurisdiction shall order their retention for a longer period.

B. All contributions and expenditures received or made by any political party committee, or received or made on its behalf or in relation to the committee by any person, except independent expenditures, shall be paid over or delivered to the political party committee's treasurer or shall be reported to the treasurer in such detail and form as to allow him to comply fully with this article. An independent expenditure shall be reported pursuant to § 24.2-945.2 in lieu of being reported to the political party committee's treasurer.

C. It shall be unlawful for any political party committee, its treasurer, or any person receiving contributions or making expenditures on the committee's behalf or in relation to the committee, to fail to report every contribution and expenditure as required by this article.

D. No political party committee treasurer or other individual shall pay any expense on behalf of the committee, directly or indirectly, except by a check or electronic debit drawn on such designated depository identifying the name of the political party committee. However, a treasurer or other authorized officer of the political party committee may be reimbursed, by a check or electronic debit drawn on the designated depository, for the payment of expenses (i) paid by him by cash, check or electronic debit, or credit card, (ii) made on behalf of the party committee, and (iii) fully documented by complete records of the expenditure, maintained as required by this chapter, and including receipts identifying the nature of the expenses and the names and addresses of each person paid by the recipient of the reimbursement.

E. A treasurer of a political party committee (i) may establish a petty cash fund to be utilized for the purpose of making expenditures or reimbursing verified credit card expenditures of less than $200 if complete records of such expenditures are maintained as required by this chapter and (ii) may transfer funds from the designated campaign depository to an account or instrument to earn interest on the funds so long as the transferred funds and earned interest are returned to the designated depository account, complete records are maintained, and all expenditures are made through the designated depository account.

2006, cc. 787 , 892 ; 2020, c. 349 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-953.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 8 / Section 24.2-953.1
Failure to file the required reports
Status: in_force

A. In the case of a failure to file the statement of organization for a candidate campaign committee or political committee required by this chapter, there shall be a civil penalty not to exceed $500.

B. In the case of the failure to file a required report, the candidate campaign committee or political committee shall be assessed a civil penalty not to exceed $500. In the case of the failure to file a report required pursuant to subsection D or E of § 24.2-949.6 , the political action committee shall be assessed a civil penalty not to exceed $500. In the case of a second or any subsequent such violation pertaining to one election cycle, the candidate campaign committee or political committee shall be assessed a civil penalty of $1,000 for each such failure to file.

C. In the case of a failure to file the report of any large pre-election contribution required by § 24.2-947.9 or 24.2-949.7:1 or a report required pursuant to subsection D or E of § 24.2-949.6 , there shall be a rebuttable presumption that the violation was willful.

2006, cc. 787 , 892 ; 2008, c. 547 ; 2010, c. 696 ; 2023, c. 764 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-404.2 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 2 / Section 24.2-404.2
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 2003, cc. 20 and 50 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-416.2 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 3.1 / Section 24.2-416.2
Mail voter registration application forms
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 24.2-418 and 24.2-418.1 , the national mail voter registration application form promulgated by the Election Assistance Commission pursuant to the National Voter Registration Act (52 U.S.C. § 20501 et seq.) shall be accepted for the registration of otherwise qualified voters to vote in federal, state, and local elections. In addition to the national form promulgated by the Election Assistance Commission, the State Board of Elections shall design and distribute a state mail voter registration application form. Such state form shall include the eligibility requirements for registration as provided in this title, shall provide for a receipt for the applicant pursuant to § 24.2-418.1 , and shall require each applicant to provide the information required subject to felony penalties for making false statements pursuant to § 24.2-1016 .

Each state form shall be accompanied by the following statement featured prominently in boldface capital letters: "WARNING: INTENTIONALLY MAKING A MATERIALLY FALSE STATEMENT ON THIS FORM CONSTITUTES THE CRIME OF ELECTION FRAUD, WHICH IS PUNISHABLE UNDER VIRGINIA LAW AS A FELONY. VIOLATORS MAY BE SENTENCED TO UP TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON, OR UP TO 12 MONTHS IN JAIL AND/OR FINED UP TO $2,500."

1996, cc. 72 , 73 ; 2008, c. 865 ; 2015, c. 740 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-104.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 1 / Article 2 / Section 24.2-104.1
Civil actions by Attorney General
Status: in_force

A. Whenever the Attorney General has reasonable cause to believe that a violation of an election law has occurred and that the rights of any voter or group of voters have been affected by such violation, the Attorney General may commence a civil action in the appropriate circuit court for appropriate relief.

B. In such civil action, the court may:

1. Award such preventive relief, including a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or other order against the person responsible for a violation of this title, as is necessary to assure the full enjoyment of the rights granted by this title.

2. Assess a civil penalty against the respondent (i) in an amount not exceeding $50,000 for a first violation and (ii) in an amount not exceeding $100,000 for any subsequent violation. Such civil penalties are payable to the Voter Education and Outreach Fund established pursuant to § 24.2-131 .

3. Award a prevailing plaintiff reasonable attorney fees and costs.

C. The court or jury may award such other relief to the aggrieved person as the court deems appropriate, including compensatory damages and punitive damages.

2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 528 , 533 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-645 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-645
Defaced printed ballots
Status: in_force

If any printed ballot is unintentionally or accidentally defaced and rendered unfit for voting, the voter may deliver the defaced ballot to the officer of election and receive another. The returned ballot shall be marked spoiled by the officer of election and placed in the spoiled ballot envelope.

Code 1950, § 24-238; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-130; 1987, c. 349; 1993, c. 641; 2014, cc. 540 , 576 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-446 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 8 / Section 24.2-446
Reconstruction of destroyed registration records
Status: in_force

Whenever the registration records of a county or city have been destroyed by fire or otherwise, the Department shall provide substitute active registration records obtained from the Virginia voter registration system.

For active registration records not retrievable from the system, the general registrar shall give notice that he is reconstructing such records by posting the notice at ten places in the jurisdiction or publishing it once in a newspaper having general circulation in the jurisdiction.

In the reconstruction, the registrar shall place on the registration records the names of all voters known by him who have been previously registered, or who can show by evidence satisfactory to the registrar that their names were on the old records and who still reside in the county or city.

Code 1950, § 24-91; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-58; 1993, c. 641; 2015, c. 740 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-656 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-656
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 2003, c. 1015 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-653 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-653
(Effective until January 1, 2027) Provisional voting; procedures in polling place
Status: in_force

A. Any person voting provisionally pursuant to subsection B of § 24.2-643 , § 24.2-651.1 , subsection B of § 24.2-652 , or § 24.2-653.1 or 24.2-653.2 shall be given a printed ballot and provide, subject to the penalties for making false statements pursuant to § 24.2-1016 , on a green envelope supplied by the Department of Elections, the identifying information required on the envelope, including the last four digits of his social security number, if any, full name including the maiden or any other prior legal name, date of birth, complete address, and signature. Such person shall be asked to present one of the forms of identification specified in subsection B of § 24.2-643 . If he is unable to present one of these forms of identification, he shall sign a statement, subject to felony penalties for false statements pursuant to § 24.2-1016 , that he is the named registered voter he claims to be. The officers of election shall note on the green envelope whether or not the voter has presented one of the specified forms of identification or signed the required statement in lieu of presenting one of the specified forms of identification. The officers of election shall enter the appropriate information for the person in the precinct provisional ballots log in accordance with the instructions of the State Board but shall not enter a consecutive number for the voter on the pollbook nor otherwise mark his name as having voted.

The voter shall then, in the presence of an officer of election, but in a secret manner, mark the printed ballot as provided in § 24.2-644 and seal it in the green envelope. The envelope containing the ballot shall then promptly be placed in the ballot container by an officer of election.

B. An officer of election, by a written notice given to the voter, shall inform him that a determination of his right to vote shall be made by the electoral board and advise the voter of the beginning time and place for the board's meeting and of the voter's right to be present at that meeting. If the voter is voting provisionally as required by § 24.2-643 , an officer of election, by written notice given to the voter, shall also inform him that he may submit a copy of one of the forms of identification specified in subsection B of § 24.2-643 or a statement, signed by him subject to felony penalties for false statements pursuant to § 24.2-1016 , that he is the named registered voter he claims to be to the electoral board by facsimile, electronic mail, in-person submission, or timely United States Postal Service or commercial mail delivery, to be received by the electoral board no later than noon on the third day after the election.

C. The provisional votes submitted pursuant to subsection A, in their unopened envelopes, shall be sealed in a special envelope marked "Provisional Votes," inscribed with the number of envelopes contained therein, and signed by the officers of election who counted them. All provisional votes envelopes shall be delivered either (i) to the clerk of the circuit court who shall deliver all such envelopes to the secretary of the electoral board or (ii) to the general registrar in localities in which the electoral board has directed delivery of election materials to the general registrar pursuant to § 24.2-668 .

1975, c. 515, §§ 24.1-55.1, 24.1-55.2; 1982, c. 650; 1993, c. 641; 1996, c. 8 ; 1997, cc. 438 , 456 ; 2002, c. 24 ; 2003, cc. 984 , 1015 ; 2004, c. 410 ; 2005, c. 824 ; 2007, c. 692 ; 2008, cc. 110 , 559 ; 2010, c. 448 ; 2012, cc. 592 , 838 , 839 ; 2013, c. 503 ; 2014, cc. 486 , 540 , 576 ; 2015, cc. 133 , 712 ; 2020, cc. 735 , 1064 , 1065 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-945 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 1 / Section 24.2-945
Elections to which chapter applicable; chapter exclusive
Status: in_force

A. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all elections held in Virginia, including referenda, and to nominating conventions, mass meetings, and other methods to nominate a political party candidate for public office, except nominations and elections for (i) members of the United States Congress, (ii) President and Vice President of the United States, (iii) town office in a town with a population of less than 25,000, or (iv) political party committees.

The provisions of this chapter shall be applicable to a candidate for a town office in a town with a population of less than 25,000 if (a) such candidate accepts contributions or makes expenditures in excess of $25,000 within the candidate's election cycle, as set forth in § 24.2-947 , or (b) the governing body of any such town provides, by ordinance, that such provisions so apply.

B. This chapter shall constitute the exclusive and entire campaign finance disclosure law of the Commonwealth, and elections to which the chapter applies shall not be subject to further regulation by local law.

1970, c. 462, § 24.1-251; 1972, c. 620; 1973, c. 30; 1980, c. 639; 1982, c. 650; 1993, cc. 641, 715, § 24.2-900; 2004, c. 457 ; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 ; 2008, c. 359 ; 2019, c. 825 ; 2020, c. 772 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-806 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 8 / Article 2 / Section 24.2-806
Contest of other primaries and elections
Status: in_force

In a primary for the United States House of Representatives, the Virginia Senate, the House of Delegates, or any county, city, town, or district office, or an election to any county, city, town, or district office, the proceeding to contest shall be in the circuit court of the county or city that the challenged candidate listed as his residency on his certificate of candidate qualification. The proceeding shall be before a special court composed of the chief judge of such circuit court and two circuit court judges of circuits remote from the county or city that such candidate listed as his residency on his certificate of candidate qualification, appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia, or, in the event of his inability to act, then by the next senior justice, who shall at the time of appointment set the date for trial.

If the chief judge of the circuit court of the city or county that the candidate listed as his residency on his certificate of candidate qualification is absent, unable to sit in the proceeding, or recuses himself, the clerk of the court shall at once certify that fact to the Chief Justice. Then the Chief Justice or the associate justice acting in his stead shall appoint a third judge, who shall be, if possible, a judge of the same or an adjoining circuit.

Code 1950, § 24-394; 1952, c. 489; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-239; 1981, c. 570; 1987, c. 341; 1993, c. 641; 2019, c. 691 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-200 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 2 / Article 1 / Section 24.2-200
When terms to begin
Status: in_force

The terms of all officers chosen at a November general election shall begin on the January 1 succeeding their election unless otherwise provided in this chapter. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the terms of all officers elected at a May general election shall begin on the July 1 succeeding their election. They shall continue to discharge the duties of their respective offices until their successors qualify.

Code 1950, §§ 24-142, 24-169; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-73; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-117 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 1 / Article 5 / Section 24.2-117
Request for removal of officer of election
Status: in_force

A candidate may require the removal of an officer of election for the election in which he is a candidate by a request in writing, filed at least seven days before the election with the electoral board appointing the officer, on the grounds that the officer is the spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling, child, or grandchild of an opposing candidate. A member of the electoral board may also request the removal of an officer of election whom he knows to be the spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling, child, or grandchild of a candidate in the election by a request in writing, filed at least seven days before the election with the electoral board. Upon receipt of a timely written request pursuant to this section, the electoral board shall ensure that a substitute is appointed to serve for that election.

1982, c. 650, § 24.1-105.1; 1993, c. 641; 2014, c. 410 ; 2016, cc. 18 , 492 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-308 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 3 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-308
Requirements for town precincts
Status: in_force

There shall be one precinct for each town unless the council by ordinance establishes more than one precinct.

Each town precinct shall be wholly contained within any election district used for the election of one or more council or school board members.

The council shall establish by ordinance one polling place for each precinct.

Code 1950, § 24-171; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-92; 1978, c. 778; 1980, c. 639; 1981, c. 425; 1992, c. 445; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-230 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 2 / Article 7 / Section 24.2-230
Applicability of article; certain exceptions
Status: in_force

This article shall apply to all elected or appointed Commonwealth, constitutional, and local officers, except officers for whose removal the Constitution of Virginia specifically provides.

However, an appointed officer shall be removed from office only by the person or authority who appointed him unless he is sentenced for a crime as provided for in § 24.2-231 or is determined to be "mentally incompetent" as provided for in § 24.2-232 . This exception shall not apply to an officer who is (i) appointed to fill a vacancy in an elective office or (ii) appointed to an office for a term established by law and the appointing person or authority is not given the unqualified power of removal.

This article shall be applicable to members of local electoral boards and general registrars, but shall not be applicable to deputy registrars who may be removed from office by the general registrar pursuant to § 24.2-112 or to officers of election who may be removed from office by the local electoral board pursuant to § 24.2-109 .

1975, cc. 515, 595, §§ 24.1-79.1, 24.1-79.2; 1993, c. 641; 1998, c. 582 ; 2004, cc. 27 , 391 ; 2022, c. 140 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-952.7 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 7 / Section 24.2-952.7
Final report requirement; disbursement of surplus funds
Status: in_force

A. Any inaugural committee that, after having filed a statement of organization, disbands shall so notify the State Board. A final report shall be filed by the committee that sets forth (i) all receipts and disbursements not previously reported, (ii) an accounting of the retirement of all debts, and (iii) the disposition of the committee's surplus funds. This final report shall include a termination statement, signed by the treasurer or other principal officer listed on the statement of organization, that all reporting for the committee is complete and final.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to disburse any funds or receipts of an inaugural committee which are in excess of the amount necessary to defray expenditures for inaugural activities other than by one or any combination of the following: (i) returning the excess to a contributor in an amount not to exceed the contributor's original contribution or (ii) making one or more charitable contributions as defined in § 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. It shall be unlawful for any person to convert any contributed moneys, securities, or like intangible personal property to his personal use or to the use of a member of the "immediate family," as that term is defined in § 30-101 , of the committee's treasurer or chief executive.

1990, c. 931, § 24.1-258.1; 1991, cc. 474, 709, §§ 24.1-924, 24.1-254.3; 1993, c. 641, §§ 24.2-913, 24.2-921, 24.2-925; 1994, c. 607 ; 2004, c. 457 ; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 ; 2007, c. 622 ; 2009, c. 231 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-504.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 24.2-504.1
(Effective January 1, 2027) Confidentiality of personally identifiable information
Status: in_force

A. The custodian of any filing made by a candidate pursuant to this chapter shall not release the address, phone number, or email address of such candidate in response to a request made under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.) without written consent of the candidate. If written consent is not granted or if the candidate does not respond to the custodian's request within five business days, the information shall be redacted. Nothing in this section shall have any bearing upon disclosures required to be made pursuant to any court order or subpoena. No exemption from mandatory disclosure shall be construed to make records or parts of records covered by such exemption privileged under the rules of discovery.

B. A candidate shall be permitted to provide the unique identifier assigned to him in the voter registration system pursuant to subdivision A 1 of § 24.2-404 in place of his residence address on any candidate filing required pursuant to this chapter.

2026, cc. 228 , 229 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-952.5 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 7 / Section 24.2-952.5
Large dollar contribution reporting requirement for inaugural committees
Status: in_force

In addition to the reports required by § 24.2-952.4 , inaugural committees shall report any single contribution or loan of $10,000 or more received at any time during the calendar year within three business days of receipt of the contribution or loan.

1. The report shall be filed on a "large dollar contribution report" form prescribed by the State Board and shall be filed in writing or electronically in the same manner as the committee files its quarterly disclosure reports.

2. Any contribution or loan reported pursuant to this section shall also be reported on the next subsequent report required under § 24.2-952.4 following receipt of the contribution or loan.

3. For the purposes of this section, inaugural committees shall report as one contribution multiple contributions from a single source that have been subdivided into smaller amounts or given through different bank accounts for the purpose of evading the $10,000 threshold.

4. An inaugural committee that receives contributions from affiliated organizations shall not be deemed to be receiving contributions from a single source.

1984, c. 480, § 24.1-923; 1991, cc. 9, 474, 709, § 24.1-254.3; 1993, cc. 639, 641, § 24.2-913, 24.2-923; 1995, c. 785 ; 2002, cc. 156 , 237 ; 2003, c. 256 ; 2004, c. 26 ; 2005, c. 9 ; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-458 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4.1 / Section 24.2-458
Methods of applying for military-overseas ballot
Status: in_force

A. A covered voter who is registered to vote in this state may apply for a military-overseas ballot using either the regular absentee ballot application in use in the voter's jurisdiction under Chapter 7 (§ 24.2-700 et seq.) or the federal postcard application.

B. A covered voter who is not registered to vote in this state may use a federal postcard application to apply simultaneously to register to vote under § 24.2-457 and for a military-overseas ballot.

C. The electoral board shall ensure that the system described in subsection C of § 24.2-455 is capable of accepting the submission of both a federal postcard application and any other approved military-overseas ballot application sent to the appropriate election official. The voter may use the system or any other approved method to apply for a military-overseas ballot.

D. A covered voter may use the declaration accompanying a federal write-in absentee ballot as an application for a military-overseas ballot simultaneously with the submission of the federal write-in absentee ballot.

E. To receive the benefits of this chapter, a covered voter must inform the appropriate election official that the voter is a covered voter. Methods of informing the appropriate election official that a voter is a covered voter include:

1. The use of a federal postcard application or federal write-in absentee ballot;

2. The use of an overseas address on an approved voter registration application or ballot application; and

3. The inclusion on an approved voter registration application or ballot application of other information sufficient to identify the voter as a covered voter.

F. This chapter does not preclude a covered voter from voting under Chapter 7 (§ 24.2-700 et seq.).

2012, c. 353 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-105.2 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 1 / Article 2 / Section 24.2-105.2
Acceptance of payments
Status: in_force

Any credit or debit card used to pay for any voter list must be in the name of a person or organization authorized to receive such list pursuant to § 24.2-405 .

2000, cc. 510 , 554 ; 2002, c. 719 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-801 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 8 / Article 1 / Section 24.2-801
Petition for recount; recount court
Status: in_force

A. The petition for a recount of an election, other than an election for presidential electors, shall be filed within 10 days from the day the State Board or the electoral board certifies the result of the election under § 24.2-679 or 24.2-671 , but not thereafter. The petition shall be filed in the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond in the case of any statewide office and in the circuit court of the county or city in which the candidate being challenged resides in the case of any other office. The petition shall be filed in the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond in the case of any statewide referendum and in the circuit court of any county or city comprising a part of the election district in the case of any other referendum.

B. The petition shall set forth the results certified by the State Board or electoral board and shall request the court to have the ballots in the election recounted.

C. In an election for office, a copy of the petition shall be served on the candidate apparently nominated or elected as provided under § 8.01-296 and within 10 days after the State Board or electoral board has certified the results of such election. In a referendum, a copy of the petition shall be so served on the governing body or chief executive officer of the jurisdiction in which the election was held.

D. The chief judge of the circuit court in which a petition is filed shall promptly notify the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia, who shall designate two other judges to sit with the chief judge, and the court shall be constituted and sit in all respects as a court appointed and sitting under §§ 24.2-805 and 24.2-806 .

1979, c. 293, § 24.1-249; 1981, c. 570; 1993, c. 641; 2003, c. 268 ; 2014, cc. 540 , 576 ; 2016, c. 464 ; 2020, c. 886 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-503.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 24.2-503.1
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 2006, cc. 787 and 892 , cl. 2.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-304.3 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 3 / Article 2.1 / Section 24.2-304.3
Recording reapportionment ordinance; notice requirements
Status: in_force

A copy of the ordinance reapportioning representation in the governing body of a county, city, or town, including a description of the boundaries and a map showing the boundaries of the districts or wards, shall be recorded in the official minutes of the governing body.

The clerk of the county, city, or town shall send a certified copy of the ordinance, including a description of the boundaries and a Geographic Information System (GIS) map showing the boundaries of the districts or wards, to the local electoral board, the Secretary of the Commonwealth, the Department of Elections, and the Division of Legislative Services. Any county, city, or town that does not have GIS capabilities may request the Department of Elections to create on its behalf a GIS map showing the boundaries of the districts or wards as set out in the ordinance, and the Department of Elections shall create such a map.

1995, c. 249 ; 2019, cc. 777 , 778 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-447 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 8 / Section 24.2-447
Persons registered prior to this title
Status: in_force

Any person validly registered to vote as of December 1, 1993, shall continue to be registered subject to the provisions of this title.

Code 1950, § 24-117; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-69; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-408 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 2.1 / Section 24.2-408
(Effective until July 1, 2027) State Registrar of Vital Records to transmit weekly lists of decedents to Department of Elections
Status: in_force

The State Registrar of Vital Records shall transmit to the Department of Elections by electronic means a weekly list of all persons 17 years of age or older who have died in the Commonwealth subsequent to its previous weekly list. The lists shall be in a format specified by the Department and shall contain the deceased's name; address; county, city, or town of residence; social security number, if any; and date and place of his birth and of his death. The Department shall maintain a permanent record of the information in the lists as part of the voter registration system, and the general registrars shall use the information in the lists to carry out their duties pursuant to § 24.2-427 . Information in the lists shall be confidential and consistent with the requirements of § 32.1-271 .

1970, c. 462, § 24.1-25; 1972, c. 620; 1975, c. 515; 1993, c. 641; 1999, c. 117 ; 2015, c. 740 ; 2022, cc. 4 , 28 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-512 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 5 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-512
Primaries to be conducted in accordance with article
Status: in_force

A primary when held shall be conducted in all respects under the provisions of this article. All references in this chapter to primaries shall be deemed to mean those elections held for the purpose of nominating candidates as authorized by this article.

Code 1950, § 24-347; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-170; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-807 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 8 / Article 2 / Section 24.2-807
Contest only on complaint of unsuccessful party; contents of complaint
Status: in_force

The provisions of this section and §§ 24.2-808 through 24.2-813 govern contests conducted pursuant to §§ 24.2-805 and 24.2-806 . The contest shall be initiated only by a written complaint of one or more of the unsuccessful candidates. The complaint shall contain (i) objections to the eligibility of the contestee based on specific allegations, (ii) objections to the conduct or results of the election accompanied by specific allegations which, if proven true, would have a probable impact on the outcome of the election, or (iii) both.

In an election of electors for the President and Vice President of the United States, the presidential candidate shall represent the vice presidential candidate and slate of electors and be the party to the contest for purposes of this article.

Code 1950, §§ 24-430, 24-432; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-240; 1973, c. 30; 1981, c. 570; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-1008 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 10 / Section 24.2-1008
Selling, giving away, or counterfeiting ballots
Status: in_force

Any person who (i) wrongfully sells or gives to any person an official ballot or copy or a facsimile of or device or plate used to reproduce such ballot or (ii) counterfeits or attempts to counterfeit the official ballot or the seal used on that ballot, shall be guilty of a Class 5 felony.

Code 1950, § 24-239; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-270; 1991, c. 710; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-105.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 1 / Article 2 / Section 24.2-105.1
Election and voter participation information on the Internet
Status: in_force

The Department shall provide information for voters on its website, including (i) the role of and contact information for the State Board, the Department of Elections, local electoral boards, and general registrars; (ii) how and where to register to vote; (iii) how and where to vote, including information about absentee voting, polling hours, Virginia's voter identification requirements and acceptable forms of identification, the casting of ballots, and a means for voters to find their polling place; and (iv) any laws, regulations, policies, or forms pertaining to any of the information in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii). The website shall also allow a voter to review his current voter registration information and voting history that is kept in the statewide voter registration database.

The Department shall furnish lists of candidates for all elections in the Commonwealth, and information on proposed constitutional amendments and statewide referenda prepared pursuant to §§ 30-19.9 and 30-19.10 , electronically through the Internet. The Department may list other referenda issues on the Internet. The lists and information shall be made available on the Internet as far in advance of the election as practicable and remain available on the Internet at least until the day after the election.

The Department shall provide election results and statistical information on its website. The information shall include voter turnout information which shall be calculated as the percentage of active voters who voted excluding voters assigned to inactive status pursuant to Chapter 4 (§ 24.2-400 et seq.). The information shall also include the total number of registered voters and the number assigned to inactive status.

At a minimum, the Department shall provide a version of its website in which all parts required by this section are translated into any language that is spoken by a language minority group covered under subsection A of § 24.2-128 . Any page on the Department's website that is linked to a translated page shall also be translated. The Department shall review all translated portions of its website for accuracy and make appropriate updates prior to the start of early voting for every primary and general election held in Virginia.

1998, c. 478 ; 2006, c. 474 ; 2007, c. 340 ; 2024, c. 406 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-104 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 1 / Article 2 / Section 24.2-104
Requesting assistance for attorney for the Commonwealth; investigative committees
Status: in_force

A. The Attorney General shall have full authority to do whatever is necessary or appropriate to enforce the election laws or prosecute violations thereof. The Attorney General shall exercise the authority granted by this section to conduct an investigation, prosecute a violation, assure the enforcement of the elections laws, and report the results of the investigation to the State Board.

B. When the State Board is of the opinion that the public interest will be served, it may request the Attorney General, or other attorney designated by the Governor for such purpose, to assist the attorney for the Commonwealth of any jurisdiction in which election laws have been violated. When the State Board makes its request pursuant to a unanimous vote of all members, the Attorney General, or other attorney designated by the Governor, shall exercise the authority granted by this section to conduct an investigation, prosecute a violation, assure the enforcement of the election laws, and report the results of the investigation to the State Board. The Attorney General, or the other attorney designated by the Governor, shall have full authority to do whatever is necessary or appropriate to enforce the election laws or prosecute violations thereof.

C. The attorney for the Commonwealth or a member of the electoral board of any county or city may make a request, in writing, that the Attorney General appoint a committee to make an immediate investigation of the election practices in that city or county, accompanied by a statement under oath that substantial violations of this title have allegedly occurred which may alter or have altered the outcome of an election. On receipt of the request and statement, the Attorney General shall forthwith appoint a committee of two or more persons qualified to make the investigation. Members, officers, and employees of the Board, local electoral boards, and registrars' offices shall not serve on the committee but may provide assistance to the committee.

The Attorney General shall direct the committee to observe, investigate or supervise the election if supervision appears necessary. The committee shall make a preliminary report to the Attorney General within five days of its appointment. If its report shows that violations of this title have occurred, the Attorney General may, notwithstanding any other provision of law, authorize the prosecution of those responsible for the violations.

Code 1950, § 24-27; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-21; 1989, c. 111; 1993, c. 641; 2002, cc. 785 , 819 ; 2013, c. 768 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-612.2 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 2 / Section 24.2-612.2
Notice of withdrawal of candidates
Status: in_force

A candidate who has qualified to have his name printed on the ballot for an election shall not be deemed to have withdrawn from such election until he has submitted a signed and notarized notice declaring his intent to withdraw from such election and that notice has been received by the general registrar. Such notice shall be provided to the general registrar of the county or city in which the candidate resides. In the case of an election held in more than one county or city, the recipient general registrar shall notify the appropriate general registrars of the candidate's withdrawal.

The Department shall include in its candidate guidance documents the requirements and process for candidate withdrawal.

2017, c. 346 ; 2024, cc. 166 , 230 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-217 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 2 / Article 5 / Section 24.2-217
Election and terms of constitutional officers
Status: in_force

The qualified voters of each county shall elect a sheriff, an attorney for the Commonwealth, a treasurer, and a commissioner of the revenue at the general election in November 1995, and every four years thereafter unless a county has adopted an optional form of government which provides that the office be abolished or a county's charter so provides. The qualified voters of each city, unless its charter provides otherwise, shall elect a sheriff, an attorney for the Commonwealth, a treasurer, and a commissioner of the revenue at the general election in November 1997, and every four years thereafter. All shall hold office for a term of four years beginning the January 1 next succeeding their election.

The qualified voters of the several counties shall elect a clerk of the circuit court of the county at the general election in November 1999, and every eight years thereafter. The qualified voters of each city having a circuit court shall elect a clerk of the circuit court at the November 1995, general election and every eight years thereafter. They shall hold office for a term of eight years beginning the January 1 next succeeding their election.

If a county and city share any of the offices to which this section applies, the qualified voters of the city shall cast their votes for that office according to the schedule set forth above for counties.

Code 1950, §§ 24-154, 24-155, 24-161, 24-162, 24-167; 1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-86, 24.1-87; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 119; 1979, c. 522; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-221 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 2 / Article 5 / Section 24.2-221
Time and frequency of referenda on election and term of supervisors
Status: in_force

A referendum as provided in § 24.2-219 or § 24.2-220 shall be held only in the year preceding the year in which a general election for supervisors is to be held. Once a referendum on either question is held, no further referendum on either question may be held in the county for a period of four years.

Code 1950, § 24-157; 1968, c. 639; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-88; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 265; 1973, c. 30; 1976, c. 616; 1981, c. 12; 1982, c. 650; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-410 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 2.1 / Section 24.2-410
(For contingent expiration date, see Acts 2026, cc. 992 and 1081, cl. 3) Clerks of circuit courts to furnish lists of certain adjudications
Status: in_force

The clerk of each circuit court shall furnish monthly to the Department of Elections a complete list of all persons adjudicated to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting pursuant to Chapter 20 (§ 64.2-2000 et seq.) of Title 64.2 or whose lack of capacity to understand the act of voting has been recognized pursuant to § 64.2-2115 during the preceding month or a statement that no adjudications have occurred that month. The list shall contain each such person's name; address; county, city, or town of residence; social security number, if any; date and place of birth; and date of adjudication. The Commissioner of Elections and the Executive Secretary shall determine the procedure for furnishing such lists, which may be by electronic means. The Department shall transmit the information from the list to the appropriate general registrars.

1976, c. 616, § 24.1-26.1; 1993, c. 641; 1998, c. 582 ; 2011, c. 518 ; 2015, c. 740 ; 2026, cc. 442 , 443 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-542 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 5 / Article 6 / Section 24.2-542
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 2024, c. 801 , cl. 2, effective July 1, 2024.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-528 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 5 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-528
No primary candidate to be nominated by convention
Status: in_force

No party which has adopted the method of making a nomination for an office by primary pursuant to § 24.2-509 shall nominate by a convention any candidate to be voted for at that primary.

Code 1950, § 24-366; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-173; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-811 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 8 / Article 2 / Section 24.2-811
Costs and issuance of certificate of election
Status: in_force

When the contest is decided, costs shall be taxed against the candidate filing the complaint if he is unsuccessful, or, if he is successful, against the counties and cities included in the area in which the election was held. A certificate of election shall be granted to the successful party, unless he has already received one.

Code 1950, §§ 24-395.3, 24-437; 1952, c. 489; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-244; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-465 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4.1 / Section 24.2-465
Publication of election notice
Status: in_force

At least 100 days before a regularly scheduled election and as soon as practicable before an election not regularly scheduled, the Department of Elections shall make election information available for each jurisdiction, to be used in conjunction with a federal write-in absentee ballot. The election notice must contain a list of all of the ballot measures and federal, state, and local offices that as of that date are expected to be on the ballot on the date of the election. The notice also must contain, or enable access to, specific instructions for how a voter is to indicate on the federal write-in absentee ballot the voter's choice for each office to be filled and for each ballot measure to be contested. Specific instructions may include a website address or a telephone number.

2012, c. 353 ; 2015, c. 313 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-955.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.5 / Article 1 / Section 24.2-955.1
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Advertisement" means any message appearing in the print media, on television, on radio, or on an online platform, that constitutes a contribution or expenditure under Chapter 9.3 (§ 24.2-945 et seq.). "Advertisement" shall not include novelty items authorized by a candidate including, but not limited to, pens, pencils, magnets, and buttons to be attached to wearing apparel.

"Authorized by ______" means the same as "authorization" as defined in § 24.2-945.1 .

"Campaign telephone calls" means a series of telephone calls or text messages, electronic or otherwise, made (i) to 25 or more telephone numbers in the Commonwealth, (ii) during the 180 days before a general or special election or during the 90 days before a primary or other political party nominating event, (iii) conveying or soliciting information relating to any candidate or political party participating in the election, primary, or other nominating event, and (iv) under an agreement to compensate the telephone callers.

"Candidate" means "candidate" as defined in § 24.2-101 .

"Candidate campaign committee" or "campaign committee" means "campaign committee" as defined in § 24.2-945.1 .

"Coordinated" or "coordination" means an expenditure that is made (i) at the express request or suggestion of a candidate, a candidate's campaign committee, or an agent of the candidate or his campaign committee or (ii) with material involvement of the candidate, a candidate's campaign committee, or an agent of the candidate or his campaign committee in devising the strategy, content, means of dissemination, or timing of the expenditure.

"Conspicuous" means so written, displayed, or communicated that a reasonable person ought to have noticed it.

"Full-screen" means the only picture appearing on the television screen during the oral disclosure statement that (i) contains the disclosing person, (ii) occupies all visible space on the television screen, and (iii) contains the image of the disclosing person that occupies at least 50% of the vertical height of the television screen.

"Independent expenditure" means "independent expenditure" as defined in § 24.2-945.1 .

"Name of candidate" means (i) the full name of the candidate as it appears on the statement of qualification filed pursuant to § 24.2-501 or as it will appear on the ballot or (ii) the first name, middle name, or "nickname" of the candidate as it appears on his statement of qualification and a last name of the candidate as it appears on his statement of qualification.

"Occurrence" means one broadcast of a radio or television political campaign advertisement.

"Online platform" means any public-facing website, web application, or digital application, including a social network, ad network, or search engine, that sells advertisements.

"Online political advertisement" means an advertisement that is placed or promoted for a fee on an online platform.

"Online political advertiser" means any person who purchases an advertisement from an online platform or promotes an advertisement on an online platform for a fee.

"Political action committee" means "political action committee" as defined in § 24.2-945.1 .

"Political committee" means "political committee" as defined in § 24.2-945.1 .

"Political party" has the same meaning as "party" or "political party" as defined in § 24.2-101 .

"Political party committee" means any state political party committee, congressional district political party committee, county or city political party committee, or organized political party group of elected officials. The term shall not include any other organization or auxiliary associated with or using the name of a political party.

"Print media" means billboards, cards, newspapers, newspaper inserts, magazines, printed material disseminated through the mail, pamphlets, fliers, bumper stickers, periodicals, websites, electronic mail, non-video or non-audio messages placed or promoted for a fee on an online platform, yard signs, and outdoor advertising facilities. If a single print media advertisement consists of multiple pages, folds, or faces, the disclosure requirement of this section applies only to one page, fold, or face.

"Radio" means any radio broadcast station that is subject to the provisions of 47 U.S.C. §§ 315 and 317.

"Scan line" means a standard term of measurement used in the electronic media industry calculating a certain area in a television advertisement.

"Sponsor" means a candidate, candidate campaign committee, political committee, or person that purchases an advertisement.

"Telephone call" means any single telephone call or text message, electronic or otherwise, that when combined with other telephone calls or text messages constitutes campaign telephone calls.

"Television" means any television broadcast station, cable television system, wireless-cable multipoint distribution system, satellite company, or telephone company transmitting video programming that is subject to the provisions of 47 U.S.C. §§ 315 and 317.

"Unobscured" means that the only printed material that may appear on the television screen is a visual disclosure statement required by law, and that nothing is blocking the view of the disclosing person's face.

"Yard sign" means a sign paid for or distributed by a candidate, campaign committee, or political committee to be placed on public or private property. Yard signs paid for or distributed prior to July 1, 2015, shall not be subject to the provisions of §§ 24.2-956 and 24.2-956.1 .

2002, c. 487 , § 24.2-942; 2003, c. 237 ; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 ; 2015, c. 573 ; 2020, cc. 551 , 554 , 615 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-504 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 24.2-504
Persons entitled to have name printed on ballot
Status: in_force

Only a person fulfilling all the requirements of a candidate shall have his name printed on the ballot for the election. No person shall have his name printed on the ballot for more than one office at any one election. However, a candidate for federal or statewide office, or a candidate for an office being filled in a special election, may have his name printed on the ballot for two offices at an election.

Code 1950, § 24-132; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-167; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 226; 1973, c. 30; 1975, c. 515; 1976, c. 616; 1977, c. 490; 1978, c. 778; 1980, c. 639; 1982, c. 650; 1984, c. 480; 1987, Sp. Sess., c. 1; 1988, c. 469; 1990, cc. 476, 865; 1991, c. 137; 1993, c. 641; 2000, cc. 513 , 552 ; 2004, c. 881 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-958.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.5 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-958.1
Requirements for radio advertisements sponsored by a candidate or candidate campaign committee
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for a candidate or a candidate campaign committee to sponsor a radio advertisement that constitutes an expenditure or contribution required to be disclosed under Chapter 9.3 (§ 24.2-945 et seq.) unless all of the following requirements are met:

1. The advertisement shall include the statement "Paid for by ______ [Name of candidate or candidate campaign committee as it appears on the statement of organization]." Alternatively, if the advertisement makes no reference to any clearly identified candidate other than the candidate who is sponsoring the advertisement or whose campaign committee is sponsoring the advertisement, then the statement "Paid for by ______ [Name of candidate or candidate campaign committee as it appears on the statement of organization]" may be replaced by the statement "Authorized by ______ [Name of candidate or candidate campaign committee as it appears on the statement of organization]."

2. If the advertisement supports or opposes the election or nomination of a clearly identified candidate other than the sponsoring candidate or supports or opposes the election or nomination of the sponsoring candidate and makes reference to another clearly identified candidate, it must include a disclosure statement spoken by the sponsoring candidate containing at least the following words: "I am (or 'This is ______ ') [Name of candidate], candidate for [Name of office], and this ad was paid for by (or 'sponsored by' or 'furnished by') [Name of candidate or candidate campaign committee as it appears on the statement of organization]."

3. The disclosure statement shall last at least two seconds and the statement shall be spoken so that its contents may be easily understood. The placement of the oral disclosure statement shall also comply with the requirements of the Communications Act of 1934, 47 U.S.C. §§ 315 and 317.

4. In its oral disclosure statement, the candidate or the candidate campaign committee may choose to identify an advertisement as either supporting or opposing the nomination or election of one or more clearly identified candidates.

5. If an advertisement is jointly sponsored, the disclosure statement shall include the names of all the sponsors and the candidate shall be the disclosing individual. If more than one candidate is the sponsor, at least one of the candidates shall be the disclosing individual.

2002, c. 487 , § 24.2-944; 2004, cc. 55 , 457 ; 2005, c. 369 ; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 ; 2020, c. 615 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-948.3 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-948.3
Compliance with reporting requirements of campaign finance disclosure act as requirement of candidacy for certain offices
Status: in_force

A. It shall be a requirement of candidacy in any election for statewide office or the General Assembly that the candidate shall have filed the disclosure reports required by this chapter for any election in which he participated as a candidate for any such office and which was held within the five years preceding the date of the election in which he seeks to be a candidate. For the purposes of this section, the candidate shall be presumed to have complied with the candidate disclosure reporting requirements unless (i) the State Board or general registrar, whichever is appropriate, has notified the candidate, at least 60 days prior to the applicable deadline for him to file his written statement of qualification set out in § 24.2-503 , that he has failed to file a required report or reports and (ii) the candidate fails to file the specified report or reports by the applicable deadline for filing his written statement of qualification.

B. The authority of the State Board to grant an extension of the deadline established in § 24.2-503 shall include the authority to grant such extension with respect to the requirements of this section.

1994, c. 752 , § 24.2-503.1; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 ; 2015, cc. 644 , 645 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-544 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 5 / Article 7 / Section 24.2-544
Time presidential primaries to be held and completion of duties by officers of election; age qualifications for participation
Status: in_force

A. Primaries for the nomination of candidates for the office of President of the United States to be voted on at the November 2012 general election and the November general election in each presidential election year thereafter shall be held on the first Tuesday in March preceding the November general election.

B. The provisions of this title shall apply to the conduct of presidential election year primaries including the time limits applicable to notices and candidate filing deadlines and the closing of registration records before the primary. The State Board shall provide a schedule for the notices and filing deadlines by the August 1 prior to the March primary including a campaign finance disclosure report filing schedule adjusted to reflect the differences between the June date for other primaries and the March date for the presidential primary and primaries for the nomination of candidates for offices to be voted on at the general election date in May.

C. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any officer of election who serves at any election held on the first Tuesday in March shall be required to complete his official duties relating to that election whether or not he has been reappointed to serve for the ensuing year.

D. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any person who is otherwise qualified and will be 18 years of age on or before the day of the next November general election shall be permitted to register in advance of and also vote in any presidential primary and any other primary held on the same day.

1999, c. 972 ; 2000, cc. 1 , 856 ; 2003, cc. 815 , 823 ; 2006, c. 205 ; 2011, cc. 570 , 584 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-416.4 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 3.1 / Section 24.2-416.4
Return of mail voter registration applications
Status: in_force

A. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 24.2-416 , a mail voter registration application returned through the United States Postal Service shall be deemed to have been made as of the date of the postmark affixed to such application by the United States Postal Service. If no such postmark is affixed or if the postmark affixed by the United States Postal Service is illegible or bears no date, such application shall be deemed to have been timely if received through the United States mail no later than five days following the time for the closing of the registration books pursuant to § 24.2-416 .

B. In any other case, a completed mail voter registration application shall be deemed timely if received by any general registrar or any person authorized to receive voter registration applications pursuant to § 24.2-415.1 by 5:00 p.m. on the final day of registration provided for in § 24.2-414 .

1996, cc. 72 , 73 ; 2013, c. 680 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-952.4 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 7 / Section 24.2-952.4
Filing schedule for inaugural committees
Status: in_force

An inaugural committee shall file the prescribed reports of contributions and expenditures as follows:

1. Not later than March 15 immediately following the inauguration for all contributions and expenditures made prior to the preceding March 1;

2. Not later than July 15 of the inauguration year complete through June 30;

3. Not later than the following January 15 complete through December 31; and

4. Not later than January 15 complete through December 31 and annually thereafter until a final report is filed.

1991, cc. 474, 709, §§ 24.1-254.3, 24.1-924; 1993, c. 641, §§ 24.2-913, 24.2-924; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-667 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-667
Completion of statement of results
Status: in_force

At the conclusion of determining the votes cast on voting devices and paper ballots, the officers of election shall verify that all required data has been accurately entered, sign both copies of the statement of results, and affirm that the statement is complete and the information thereon is true and correct.

Code 1950, §§ 24-246, 24-265, 24-312; 1950, p. 165; 1966, c. 453; 1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-142, 24.1-222; 1974, c. 428; 1979, c. 329; 1981, c. 425; 1983, c. 461; 1985, c. 458; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-414 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-414
Final registration day
Status: in_force

Each general registrar shall hold a final day of registration on the day before the registration records close under § 24.2-416 for every election held in his jurisdiction. On the final day of registration, the principal office of the general registrar shall be open a minimum of eight hours. The registrar shall make a list by name of any persons in line at the time of closing and shall permit those persons to complete an application to register or to make any necessary changes to their registration records.

Code 1950, §§ 24-74 through 24-76, 24-78; 1963, Ex. Sess., c. 2; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-49; 1975, c. 515; 1976, c. 616; 1984, c. 480; 1985, c. 530; 1988, c. 305; 1989, c. 743; 1991, cc. 42, 136; 1993, cc. 545, 619, 641; 2001, cc. 613 , 632 ; 2008, c. 424 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-304.6 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 3 / Article 2.1 / Section 24.2-304.6
Effect of reapportionment on appointments and terms of local officers, school board and planning commission members
Status: in_force

County, city, or town officers, including members of the school board or planning commission, in office on the effective date of a reapportionment or redistricting ordinance, shall complete their terms of office, regardless of loss of residency in a particular district due to reapportionment or redistricting.

1995, c. 249 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-948.2 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-948.2
Reports as condition to qualification for office
Status: in_force

A. No person shall be permitted to qualify for any office, enter upon the duties thereof, or receive any salary or emoluments therefrom until he has filed the campaign finance reports required in subdivisions A 3 through A 9 of § 24.2-947.6 ; subdivisions A 3 through A 6 of § 24.2-947.7 ; and subdivisions B 1 and B 2 of § 24.2-947.8 , as applicable; and a final report if required by subsection D of § 24.2-948.1 ; and has responded to and complied with any notice that additional information is required to complete a report in compliance with § 24.2-953.3 . No person shall be permitted to qualify for any office, enter upon the duties thereof, or receive any salary or emoluments therefrom until he has paid any civil penalty and returned any contribution required to be returned pursuant to § 24.2-953.5 . No officer authorized by the laws of this Commonwealth to issue certificates of election shall issue one to any person determined to be elected to any such office, until copies of the reports cited above have been filed as required in this article.

B. Notwithstanding the requirements of subsection A, a person who is elected to fill a vacancy at a special election held on a general election day may qualify for the office and be issued a certificate of election in advance of filing the postelection report required to be filed under subdivision A 9 of § 24.2-947.6 in the case of a November election, or under subdivision A 6 of § 24.2-947.7 in the case of a May election, upon the filing of a postelection report complete through the election day.

1970, c. 462, § 24.1-260; 1972, c. 620; 1982, c. 650; 1986, c. 558; 1988, c. 734; 1993, c. 641, § 24.2-922; 1995, c. 785 ; 1999, c. 120 ; 2005, c. 384 ; 2006, cc. 771 , 787 , 805 , 892 ; 2008, c. 650 ; 2024, cc. 110 , 124 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-631 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-631
Experimental use of voting systems and ballots prior to approval of the system
Status: in_force

The State Board is authorized to approve the experimental use of voting or counting systems and ballots for the purpose of casting and counting absentee ballots in one or more counties and cities designated by the Board (i) that have established central absentee voter election districts and (ii) whose electoral board and general registrar submit to the Board for approval a plan for the use of such system and ballots. The Board is also authorized to approve the experimental use of voting or counting systems and ballots in one or more precincts in any county or city whose electoral board and general registrar submit to the Board for approval a plan for such use. The use of such systems and ballots at an election shall be valid for all purposes.

1980, c. 639, § 24.1-206.1; 1985, c. 458; 1993, c. 641; 2016, cc. 18 , 492 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-1002 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 10 / Section 24.2-1002
Interference with registration
Status: in_force

Any person who, by threats or force, interferes with or attempts to interfere with (i) any registrar in the discharge of his duty, (ii) any person applying to register or declining to apply to register, or (iii) any person going to or leaving a registration location as defined in Article 3 (§ 24.2-411 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of this title or a polling place, or (iv) any person going to or leaving any other location at which persons offer mail applications under Article 3.1 (§ 24.2-416.1 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of this title shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Code 1950, § 24-116; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-265; 1984, c. 480, § 24.1-49.01; 1993, c. 641; 2003, c. 1015 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-947.4:1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-947.4:1
Loans to candidate campaign committees; prohibited interest payments; civil penalty
Status: in_force

This section shall apply to any loan made to a candidate campaign committee by the candidate or by a member of his immediate family as that term is defined in § 30-101 . There shall be no interest paid to the candidate or his immediate family member by the candidate campaign committee on the amount of the loan, and the committee shall repay no more than the face value of the loan.

Any person who accepts or makes an interest payment in violation of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty equal to the amount of the prohibited interest payment or $500, whichever amount is greater. The attorney for the Commonwealth shall initiate civil proceedings to enforce the civil penalty provided herein. Any civil penalties collected shall be payable to the State Treasurer for deposit to the general fund.

2012, c. 163 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-948.6 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-948.6
Use of campaign funds
Status: in_force

A. A contribution accepted by a candidate or his campaign committee may be used for the following purposes:

1. For otherwise authorized expenditures in connection with the candidate's campaign;

2. For ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in connection with the duties of the individual as an officeholder;

3. For contributions to any organization described in § 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code;

4. For transfers to any federal, state, or local political party committee;

5. For contributions to federal, state, and local candidates subject to the provisions of prevailing law;

6. For dependent care expenses that are incurred as a direct result of the person's seeking, holding, or maintaining public office; or

7. For any other lawful purpose unless prohibited by subsection B.

B. Contributions to a candidate or his campaign committee shall not be converted by any person to personal use. For the purpose of this subsection, a contribution shall be considered to be converted to personal use if the contribution is used to fulfill any commitment, obligation, or expense of a person that would exist irrespective of the person's seeking, holding, or maintaining public office, which includes the following:

1. A home mortgage, rent, or utility payment;

2. A clothing purchase, except for clothing of de minimis value that is used in the campaign, such as T-shirts or caps imprinted with a campaign slogan;

3. A non-campaign-related automobile expense;

4. A country club membership;

5. A vacation or other non-campaign-related trip;

6. A household food item;

7. A tuition payment, other than those associated with the training of campaign staff;

8. Admission to a sporting event, a concert, a theater, or any other form of entertainment not associated with an election campaign;

9. Dues, fees, and other payments to a health club or recreational facility unless the payments are made in connection with a specific fundraising event that takes place on the organization's premises; and

10. Salary payments to a member of a candidate's family, unless the family member is providing bona fide services to the campaign and receives compensation that is no greater than the fair market value of the services provided.

2025, cc. 535 , 537 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-650 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-650
Officers to sign only official papers, etc
Status: in_force

No officer of election shall sign or otherwise mark any paper, form, or item, other than one furnished by the State Board, his electoral board, or general registrar, at his polling place during the hours that the polls are open.

1976, c. 616, § 24.1-132.1; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-959.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.5 / Article 5 / Section 24.2-959.1
Requirements for campaign telephone calls sponsored by a political committee or person other than a candidate or candidate campaign committee
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any person or political committee to make campaign telephone calls without disclosing, before the conclusion of each telephone call, information to identify the person or political committee who has authorized and is paying for the calls unless such call is terminated prematurely by means beyond the maker's control.

The person making the telephone call shall disclose the following identifying information: the name of the political committee if the calls are authorized by that committee or an agent of that committee; and in the case of a committee that has filed a statement of organization under Chapter 9.3 (§ 24.2-945 et seq.), the full name of the committee and a registration number provided by the State Board; or in any other case, the full name and residence address of the individual responsible for the campaign telephone calls.

It shall be unlawful for any person, corporation, or political committee making campaign telephone calls to intentionally modify the caller identification information for the purpose of misleading the recipient as to the identity of the caller. If the call is made from an automatic dialing-announcing device and caller identification information includes a name associated with the telephone number, then the caller identification information shall include either the name of the person, corporation, or political committee that has authorized and is paying for the calls or the vendor conducting the calls on behalf of the person, corporation, or political committee. "Automatic dialing-announcing device" means the same as that term is defined in § 59.1-518.1 .

It shall also be unlawful (i) for any person who contracts for campaign telephone calls to fail to provide to the persons making the telephone calls the identifying information required by this section or (ii) for any person to provide a false or fictitious name or address when providing the identifying information required.

2000, c. 874 , § 24.2-1014.1 ; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 ; 2010, c. 323 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-400 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 1 / Section 24.2-400
Persons entitled to register and vote
Status: in_force

Any person who is not registered to vote, but would otherwise be a qualified voter, is entitled to register to vote as provided in this chapter. Any person who is registered to vote and is a qualified voter shall be entitled to vote in the precinct where he resides.

Code 1950, §§ 24-17, 24-22, 24-23; 1963, Ex. Sess., c. 2; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-41; 1971, Ex. Sess., cc. 205, 265; 1974, c. 428; 1977, c. 490; 1978, c. 778; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-686 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 5 / Section 24.2-686
Special elections; petition and referendum requirements; abolition of constitutional office by change in form of government
Status: in_force

The provisions of § 24.2-685 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to any county seeking to change its form of government pursuant to Chapter 3 (§ 15.2-300 et seq.) of Title 15.2 if the effect of such change in form would be the abolition of an existing office created pursuant to Section 4 of Article VII of the Constitution of Virginia. In such case, the circuit court may order a referendum under § 15.2-301 only if requested by a voter petition meeting the requirements of § 24.2-685 . In such case, a question in substantially the following form shall be listed first on the ballot and be followed by those provided in § 15.2-301 :

"Shall the County of ______________ be authorized to change its form of government to one which would eliminate the elected office(s) of ______________?"

An affirmative vote on the subsequent question or questions on the ballot shall be given effect only if a majority of those voting in the referendum have voted affirmatively on the first question to authorize such a change in the form of government.

1995, cc. 761 , 808 , 825 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-451 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4.1 / Section 24.2-451
Short title
Status: in_force

This chapter may be cited as the Uniform Military and Overseas Voters Act.

2012, c. 353 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-644 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-644
Voting by paper ballot; voting for presidential electors; write-in votes
Status: in_force

A. The qualified voter shall take the official paper ballot and enter the voting booth. After entering the voting booth, the qualified voter shall mark the ballot in accordance with the instructions for the type of ballot, for each candidate for whom he wishes to vote, leaving unmarked the name of each candidate for whom he does not wish to vote. Any ballot marked so that the intent of the voter is clear shall be counted.

B. The qualified voter at a presidential election shall mark the ballot in accordance with the instructions for the type of ballot, for his choice of candidates for President and Vice President. His ballot so marked shall be counted as if he had marked the ballot in accordance with the instructions for the type of ballot preceding the names of the individual electors affiliated with his choice for President and Vice President. The qualified voter at a presidential election may cast a write-in vote for President and Vice President as provided in subsections C and D.

C. At all elections except primary elections it is lawful for any voter to vote for any person other than the listed candidates for the office by writing or hand printing the person's name on the official ballot. No check or other mark shall be required to cast a valid write-in vote. Write-in votes for President and Vice President shall be counted only for candidates who have filed a joint declaration of intent to be write-in candidates for the offices with the Commissioner of Elections not less than 10 days before the date of the presidential election. The declaration of intent shall be on a form prescribed by the State Board and shall include a list of presidential electors pledged to those candidates which equals the whole number of senators and representatives to which the Commonwealth at that time is entitled in the Congress of the United States. A write-in vote cast for candidates for President and Vice President, or for a candidate for President only, shall be counted for the individual electors listed on the declaration of intent as pledged to those candidates.

D. No write-in vote shall be counted unless the name is entered on the ballot in conformance with this section. No write-in vote shall be counted when it is apparent to the officers of election that a voter has voted for the same person for the same office more than one time. No write-in vote shall be counted for an office for any person whose name appears on the ballot as a candidate for that office. If two or more persons are to be elected to the same office, a voter may vote for one or more persons whose names do appear on the ballot and one or more persons whose names do not appear on the ballot, provided that the total number of votes cast by him for that office does not exceed the number of persons to be elected to that office.

Code 1950, §§ 24-245, 24-252, 24-290.5, 24-307; 1952, c. 581; 1962, cc. 260, 536; 1964, c. 593; 1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-129, 24.1-161, 24.1-217; 1973, c. 30; 1975, c. 515; 1984, c. 234; 1985, cc. 197, 458; 1987, c. 349; 1990, c. 214; 1993, c. 641; 1997, c. 100 ; 2013, c. 542 ; 2018, c. 464 .