Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-684.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 5 / Section 24.2-684.1
Requirements for voter petitions to call for referendum elections
Status: in_force

In addition to other applicable requirements of law, the following requirements shall apply whenever a referendum election is initiated by voter petitions. The requirements of this section shall be construed to override any requirement of general or special law in conflict with this section, except requirements set out in charter provisions to govern the exercise of recall, initiative, or referendum powers in a county, city, or town.

The requirements of this section shall apply to petitions calling for any referendum which is ordered to be held on or after January 1, 1994.

1. Prior to circulating any petition for signature, an individual shall file a copy of the petition with the clerk of the circuit court for the county or city in which the referendum will be held. The individual shall be a qualified voter of the county or city and shall file, with the petition copy, a statement giving his name; residence address and, if different, his mailing address; and the name of the organization, if any, which he represents in circulating the petition. The copy of the petition shall be filed on or after the effective date of the law which authorizes the referendum for which the petition will be circulated. The clerk shall certify, within 10 days of such filing, that he has received and accepted the petition copy and statement.

2. If the referendum will be held only in a town, the copy and statement shall be filed with the clerk of the circuit court for the county in which the town, or larger portion of the town, is located, and the individual shall be a qualified voter of the town. If the referendum will be held only in part of a county, city, or town, the copy and statement shall be filed with the clerk of the appropriate circuit court, and the individual shall be a qualified voter of the part of the county, city, or town in which the referendum will be held. If the referendum will be held in more than one county, city, or town, the copy and statement shall be filed with the clerk of the circuit court of any one of the localities in which the referendum will be held, and the individual shall be a qualified voter of that locality.

3. Each qualified voter signing a petition shall date his signature.

4. Each such voter may provide on the petition the last four digits of his social security number, if any; however, noncompliance with this requirement shall not be cause to invalidate the voter's signature on the petition.

5. Each signature on the petition shall be witnessed by a person who is qualified to vote, or qualified to register to vote, in the referendum for which he is circulating the petition and whose affidavit to that effect, including his name, residence address and, if different, his mailing address, and the name of the organization, if any, that he represents in circulating the petition, appears on each page, front and back, of the petition.

6. The petition shall be circulated, completed, and filed with the appropriate court or authority within nine months of the date of the certification by the clerk of the circuit court pursuant to subdivision 1.

7. Each qualified voter signing the petition shall have been validly registered in the jurisdiction for which the petition is circulated at the time of signing the petition and at the time of validating the petition signatures.

8. The number of voters registered on January 1 of the year of the certification by the clerk of the circuit court pursuant to subdivision 1 shall be the basis for determining the number of signatures required on the petition in all cases in which the law authorizing the referendum provides that the number of signatures required for the petition is a percentage of the number of registered voters.

9. If the court or authority finds that the filed petitions are valid and sufficient under law, it shall proceed, as provided by law, to order or call for the referendum election. If the court or authority finds that the filed petitions are invalid for any cause, the petitions and the signatures on them shall be invalid for all purposes. The invalidity of one or more signatures on a petition page shall not be cause to invalidate the entire petition page. If the circulators of the petitions fail to file within the nine-month period provided in subdivision 6, the petitions and the signatures on them shall be invalid for all purposes.

1993, c. 996, § 24.1-165.3; 1993, c. 641; 2000, cc. 232 , 252 ; 2011, cc. 333 , 520 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-801.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 8 / Article 1 / Section 24.2-801.1
Petition for recount of election for presidential electors; recount court
Status: in_force

A. The petition for a recount of an election for presidential electors shall be filed no later than 5:00 p.m. on the second calendar day after the day the State Board certifies the result of the election under § 24.2-679 , but not thereafter. Presidential candidates who anticipate the possibility of asking for a recount are encouraged to so notify the State Board by letter as soon as possible after election day. The petition shall be filed in the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond. If any presidential candidate is eligible to seek a recount of the results of the election for presidential electors under § 24.2-800 the State Board shall, within 24 hours of the certification of the results, notify the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond and the Supreme Court of Virginia (i) that a recount is possible, (ii) which presidential candidate is eligible to seek a recount, and (iii) of the date the results were certified. The Circuit Court of the City of Richmond shall make arrangements to receive any such filing if the office would normally be closed the entire day, or prior to 5:00 p.m., on the second calendar day after the day the State Board certified the result of the election.

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

C. A copy of the petition shall be served on the presidential candidate whose electors were apparently elected as provided under § 8.01-296 and within five calendar days after the State Board has certified the results of such election.

D. As soon as a petition is filed, the chief judge of the Circuit Court 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 .

E. Any recount of an election for presidential electors shall be held promptly and completed, in accordance with the provisions of 3 U.S.C. § 5, at least six days before the time fixed for the meeting of the electors.

2003, c. 268 ; 2014, cc. 540 , 576 ; 2016, c. 464 ; 2020, c. 886 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-304.05 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 3 / Article 2 / Section 24.2-304.05
Legal boundaries of congressional and state legislative districts
Status: in_force

A. There shall be 11 Virginia members of the United States House of Representatives elected from 11 congressional districts, and each district is entitled to one representative. The district numbers and boundaries of the 11 congressional districts shall be those designated in the block equivalency file and resulting shapefile that is the electronic version of the districts established pursuant to Article II, § 6-A of the Constitution of Virginia and Chapter 62 (§ 30-391 et seq.) of Title 30.

B. There shall be 40 members of the Senate of Virginia elected from 40 senate districts, and each district is entitled to representation by one senator. The district numbers and boundaries of the 40 senate districts shall be those designated in the block equivalency file and resulting shapefile that is the electronic version of the districts established pursuant to Article II, § 6-A of the Constitution of Virginia and Chapter 62 (§ 30-391 et seq.) of Title 30.

C. There shall be 100 members of the House of Delegates elected from 100 House of Delegates districts and each district is entitled to representation by one delegate. The district numbers and boundaries of the 100 House of Delegates districts shall be those designated in the block equivalency file and resulting shapefile that is the electronic version of the districts established pursuant to Article II, § 6-A of the Constitution of Virginia and Chapter 62 (§ 30-391 et seq.) of Title 30.

D. The block equivalency files and shapefiles for a congressional, senate, or House of Delegates district shall be controlling in any legal determination of the boundary of such district.

2023, c. 455 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-626 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-626
Governing bodies shall acquire electronic voting systems
Status: in_force

A. The governing body of each county and city shall provide for the use of electronic voting systems, of a kind approved by the State Board, at every precinct and for all elections held in the county, the city, or any part of the county or city.

Each county and city governing body shall purchase, lease, lease purchase, or otherwise acquire such systems and may provide for the payment therefor in the manner it deems proper. Systems of different kinds may be adopted for use and be used in different precincts of the same county or city, or within a precinct or precincts in a county or city, subject to the approval of the State Board.

B. On and after July 1, 2020, no county or city shall use any direct recording electronic machine (DRE) in elections in the county or city.

Code 1950, § 242-291; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-203; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 119; 1972, c. 620; 1974, c. 428; 1976, c. 616; 1982, c. 650; 1985, c. 458; 1987, c. 129; 1993, c. 641; 1996, c. 258 ; 2000, c. 280 ; 2007, cc. 939 , 943 ; 2009, cc. 751 , 759 ; 2010, cc. 356 , 533 ; 2011, cc. 153 , 447 , 481 ; 2014, cc. 540 , 576 ; 2016, c. 464 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-307 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 3 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-307
Requirements for county and city precincts
Status: in_force

The governing body of each county and city shall establish by ordinance as many precincts as it deems necessary. Each governing body is authorized to increase or decrease the number of precincts and alter precinct boundaries subject to the requirements of this chapter.

At the time any precinct is established, it shall have no more than 5,000 registered voters. The general registrar shall notify the governing body whenever the number of voters who voted in a precinct in an election for President of the United States exceeds 4,000. Within six months of receiving the notice, the governing body shall proceed to revise the precinct boundaries, and any newly established or redrawn precinct shall have no more than 5,000 registered voters.

At the time any precinct is established, each precinct in a county shall have no fewer than 100 registered voters and each precinct in a city shall have no fewer than 500 registered voters.

Each precinct shall be wholly contained within a single congressional district, Senate district, House of Delegates district, and election district used for the election of one or more members of the governing body or school board for the county or city. In each year ending in one, the governing body of each county and city shall establish the precinct boundaries to be consistent with any congressional district, Senate district, House of Delegates district, and local election district that was adopted by the appropriate authority by June 15 of that year. If congressional districts, Senate districts, House of Delegates districts, or local election districts have not been adopted by the appropriate authority by June 15 of a year ending in one, the governing body may use the congressional districts, Senate districts, House of Delegates districts, or local election districts as such districts existed on June 15 of that year as the basis for establishing the precinct boundaries to be used for the elections to be held in November of that year. Such governing body shall establish precinct boundaries to be consistent with any subsequent changes to the congressional districts, Senate districts, House of Delegates districts, or local election districts. If a governing body is unable to establish a precinct with the minimum number of registered voters without splitting the precinct between two or more congressional districts, Senate districts, House of Delegates districts, or local election districts, it shall apply to the State Board for a waiver to administer a split precinct. The State Board may grant the waiver or direct the governing body to establish a precinct with fewer than the minimum number of registered voters as permitted by § 24.2-309 . A governing body granted a waiver to administer a split precinct or directed to establish a precinct with fewer than the minimum number of registered voters may use such a precinct for any election held that year.

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

Code 1950, §§ 24-45, 24-46; 1954, c. 375; 1956, c. 378; 1962, cc. 185, 536; 1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-36, 24.1-37; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 119; 1976, c. 616; 1977, c. 30; 1978, c. 778; 1980, c. 639; 1992, c. 445; 1993, c. 641; 1999, c. 515 ; 2020, c. 1268 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-946.2 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 2 / Section 24.2-946.2
Custody of reports; inspection and copying; exception for certain information
Status: in_force

A. All campaign finance reports required to be filed under this chapter shall be open to inspection by any person during the business hours of the office in which they are filed. Copies shall be produced for any person requesting them who shall pay the reasonable cost of the copies. Copies of such reports certified by the principal administrative officer in whose office they are kept shall be evidence in all courts to the same extent as the original report would be if produced and proved.

Upon request from an individual granted protected voter status under the provisions of subsection B of § 24.2-418 , the State Board shall replace the individual's residence address in copies of campaign finance reports available to the public with the individual's alternative mailing address found in the Virginia voter registration system.

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to grant public access to information not required to be entered into the campaign finance database under this chapter that candidates or committees may include in campaign finance report-creation software managed by or for the State Board.

B. The following applies to campaign finance reports filed by candidate campaign committees:

1. Every officer or general registrar, with whom reports are required to be filed by this chapter, shall file and preserve such reports and keep them as part of the office's records for at least one year after the final report is filed, or through the next general election for the office to which they pertain, whichever is later; or in the case of a candidate who has not filed a final report and seeks election to the same office in a successive election, through the next general election for the office to which they pertain.

2. The State Board shall file and preserve as part of its records the reports required to be filed with it by this chapter for at least one year after the final report is filed, or through the next general election for the office to which they pertain, whichever is later; or in the case of a candidate who has not filed a final report and seeks election to the same office in a successive election, through the next general election for the office to which they pertain. Thereafter, the State Board shall forward the reports it preserves to The Library of Virginia for preservation under the Virginia Public Records Act (§ 42.1-76 et seq.).

C. The following applies to campaign finance reports filed by political committees:

1. Every officer or general registrar, with whom reports are required to be filed by this chapter, shall file and preserve such reports as part of the office's records for at least four years after the reporting deadline or one year after the final report is filed.

2. The State Board shall file and preserve as part of its records the reports required to be filed with it by this chapter for at least four years after the reporting deadline or one year after the final report is filed. Thereafter, the State Board shall forward the reports it preserves to The Library of Virginia for preservation under the Virginia Public Records Act (§ 42.1-76 et seq.).

1970, c. 462, § 24.1-261; 1980, c. 639; 1982, c. 650; 1983, c. 119; 1993, cc. 396, 641, § 24.2-926; 1994, c. 64 ; 1996, c. 6 ; 2004, c. 457 ; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 ; 2010, c. 297 ; 2012, c. 527 ; 2015, cc. 644 , 645 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-304.4 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 3 / Article 2.1 / Section 24.2-304.4
Mandamus action for failure to reapportion districts or wards
Status: in_force

Whenever the governing body of any county, city or town fails to perform the duty of reapportioning the representation on the governing body among the districts or wards of the county, city, or town, or fails to change the boundaries of districts or wards, as prescribed by law, mandamus shall lie in favor of any citizen of such county, city, or town, to compel the performance of such duty.

Whenever the governing body of any county, city or town changes the boundaries, or increases or diminishes the number of districts or wards, or reapportions the representation in the governing body as prescribed by law, the action shall not be subject to judicial review, unless it is alleged that the representation is not proportional to the population of the district or ward. If such allegation is made in a bill of complaint filed in the circuit court for the county, city or town, the court shall determine whether the action of the governing body complies with the constitutional requirements for redistricting and reapportionment. Appeals from the court's decision shall be as in any other suit.

1995, c. 249 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-516 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 5 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-516
Party to furnish names of chairmen and notify State Board of adoption of direct primary
Status: in_force

Each political party within the Commonwealth shall furnish to the State Board the names and addresses of its state, county, and city party chairmen in January of each year, and during the remainder of the year it shall notify the Board of any changes in such names and addresses.

At least 135 days prior to the regular date for a primary, the Board shall inquire of each state chairman and each county and city chairman whether a direct primary has been adopted. The Board shall advise each chairman that notification to the Board of the adoption of a direct primary is required and must be filed with the Board not more than 125 days and not less than 105 days before the date set for the primaries.

Each chairman shall file timely written notice with the Board whether or not a primary has been adopted and identify each office for which a primary has been adopted. The requirement to notify the Board of the adoption of a direct primary shall be satisfied when the Board receives by the deadline (i) written notice from the appropriate party chairman or (ii) a copy of the written notice from an incumbent officeholder to his party chairman of the incumbent's selection, pursuant to § 24.2-509 , of the primary as the method of nomination.

Code 1950, § 24-351; 1962, c. 536; 1964, c. 545; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-176; 1972, c. 620; 1981, c. 425; 1990, c. 199; 1993, c. 641; 2010, cc. 449 , 645 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-950.2 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 5 / Section 24.2-950.2
Statement of organization for a political party committee
Status: in_force

Except as provided in § 24.2-950.1 , each political party committee that anticipates receiving contributions or making expenditures in excess of $200 in a calendar year shall file with the State Board a statement of organization within 10 days after its organization, or if later, within 10 days after the date on which it has information that causes the committee to anticipate it will receive contributions or make expenditures in excess of $200 or on which it otherwise becomes subject to the provisions of this article. Any change in information previously submitted in a statement of organization shall be reported to the State Board within 10 days following the change.

The statement of organization shall include:

1. The name of the political party committee and its address in the Commonwealth;

2. The name and business address of the treasurer and his residence address in the Commonwealth who shall be deemed the agent of the political party committee for the purpose of service of process on the political party committee;

3. The name, residence in the Commonwealth, business address, and position of the custodian of the books and accounts, who works under the direction of the treasurer, and the address where the books are maintained;

4. The name, address, office sought, and party affiliation of each individual whom the committee is supporting or opposing for nomination or for election to any public office whatever, or if supporting the entire ticket of any party, the name of the party;

5. The designated depository to be used for the receipt and holding of funds and contributions received by the political party committee, in an account in a financial institution within the Commonwealth; and

6. Such other information as shall be required by the State Board except that the account number for the designated depository account shall not be required.

2006, cc. 787 , 892 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-540 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 5 / Article 5 / Section 24.2-540
Other parties may also nominate; independent candidates
Status: in_force

Any other political party may also nominate and file the required notice of a new candidate pursuant to § 24.2-539 if the candidate who died, withdrew, or had his nomination set aside was unopposed by that party. A nonparty candidate shall also be permitted to file a notice of candidacy whether or not the candidate who died, withdrew, or had his nomination set aside was opposed by a nonparty or party candidate.

Any such party or nonparty candidate shall file any statement or petition required of him by Article 1 (§ 24.2-500 et seq.) or Article 2 (§ 24.2-505 et seq.) of this chapter.

Code 1950, §§ 24-234, 24-235; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-110; 1976, c. 616; 1980, c. 639; 1984, c. 480; 1990, c. 476; 1992, c. 828; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-949.8 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-949.8
With whom political action committees file reports; electronic filing requirement
Status: in_force

A. Political action committees required to file reports by this article shall file all statements and campaign finance reports with the State Board.

B. A political action committee that is required by this chapter to file reports with the State Board, and that accepts contributions or makes expenditures in excess of $10,000 in any calendar year, or that accepted contributions or made expenditures in excess of $10,000 in the previous calendar year, shall file its reports with the State Board by computer or electronic means in accordance with the standards approved by the State Board until such time as the political action committee files a final report. Any political action committee that has been filing electronically, but does not anticipate accepting contributions or making expenditures in excess of $10,000 in the upcoming calendar year, may sign a waiver, on a form prescribed by the State Board, to exempt the committee from the electronic filing requirement for the calendar year. Such waiver form shall be submitted and received no later than the date the first report is due covering activity for that calendar year.

C. For political action committees that are not subject to the provisions of subsection B, any report required to be filed with the State Board shall be deemed to be filed by the deadline for the report if it is mailed and postmarked not later than the deadline for filing the report.

1996, c. 687 , § 24.2-914.1; 1997, cc. 364 , 392 ; 1998, c. 416 ; 1999, c. 864 ; 2000, cc. 511 , 555 ; 2003, c. 242 ; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-519 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 5 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-519
Qualification of primary candidates
Status: in_force

In order to qualify as a candidate at any primary, a person must be legally qualified to hold the office for which he is a candidate and be qualified to vote in the primary in which he seeks to be a candidate.

Code 1950, § 24-369; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-183; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 226; 1974, c. 428; 1977, c. 490; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-947 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-947
Candidate election cycle
Status: in_force

The candidate's election cycle shall be deemed to begin on January 1 of the year that the candidate first seeks election for the office through December 31 immediately following the election for such office. The next election cycle, and any subsequent election cycles, for the candidate who seeks election for successive terms in the same office shall begin on January 1 immediately following each election for the same office and continue through December 31 immediately following the next successive election for the same office. Solely for the purpose of filing reports pursuant to this article, a candidate with any activity to report in a new election cycle shall be presumed to be a candidate for election in the succeeding election.

1970, c. 462, § 24.1-256; 1975, c. 515; 1990, c. 976; 1993, c. 641, § 24.2-906; 2003, c. 248 ; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-452 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4.1 / Section 24.2-452
Definitions
Status: in_force

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

1. "Covered voter" means:

a. A uniformed-service voter or an overseas voter who is registered to vote in this state;

b. A uniformed-service voter defined in subdivision 9 a whose voting residence is in this state and who otherwise satisfies this state's voter eligibility requirements;

c. An overseas voter who, before leaving the United States, was last eligible to vote in this state and, except for a state residency requirement, otherwise satisfies this state's voter eligibility requirements;

d. An overseas voter who, before leaving the United States, would have been last eligible to vote in this state had the voter then been of voting age and, except for a state residency requirement, otherwise satisfies this state's voter eligibility requirements; or

e. An overseas voter who was born outside the United States, is not described in subdivision c or d, and, except for a state residency requirement, otherwise satisfies this state's voter eligibility requirements, if:

(1) The last place where a parent or legal guardian of the voter was, or under this chapter would have been, eligible to vote before leaving the United States is within this state; and

(2) The voter has not previously registered to vote in any other state.

2. "Dependent" means an individual recognized as a dependent by a uniformed service.

3. "Federal postcard application" means the application prescribed under § 101(b)(2) of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 52 U.S.C. § 20301(b)(2).

4. "Federal write-in absentee ballot" means the ballot described in § 103 of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 52 U.S.C. § 20303, that may be used in all elections in which the voter is eligible to vote as provided in § 24.2-702.1 .

5. "Military-overseas ballot" means:

a. A federal write-in absentee ballot;

b. A ballot specifically prepared or distributed for use by a covered voter in accordance with this title; or

c. A ballot cast by a covered voter in accordance with this title.

6. "Overseas voter" means a United States citizen who is outside the United States.

7. "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

8. "Uniformed service" means:

a. Active and reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, or Coast Guard of the United States;

b. The Merchant Marine, the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service, or the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States; or

c. The Virginia National Guard.

9. "Uniformed-service voter" means an individual who is qualified to vote and is:

a. A member of the active or reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, or Coast Guard of the United States who is on active duty;

b. A member of the Merchant Marine, the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service, or the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States;

c. A member on activated status of the National Guard; or

d. A spouse or dependent of a member referred to in this definition.

10. "United States," used in the territorial sense, means the several states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

2012, c. 353 ; 2015, c. 313 ; 2019, cc. 668 , 669 ; 2020, cc. 1149 , 1151 , 1201 ; 2024, c. 817 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-119.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 1 / Article 6 / Section 24.2-119.1
Prohibition on discrimination in employment; penalty
Status: in_force

Any person who serves as a member of a local electoral board, a deputy general registrar, or an officer of election shall neither be discharged from employment nor have any adverse personnel action taken against him, nor shall he be required to use sick leave or vacation time, as a result of his absence from employment due to his service at a polling place on election day or at a meeting of the electoral board following the election to ascertain the results of such election pursuant to § 24.2-671 , provided that he gave reasonable notice to his employer of such service. No such person who serves for four or more hours, including travel time, on his day of service shall be required to start any work shift that begins on or after 5:00 p.m. on the day of his service or begins before 3:00 a.m. on the day following the day of his service. Any employer violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.

2020, c. 838 ; 2022, c. 140 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-233 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 2 / Article 7 / Section 24.2-233
Removal of elected and certain appointed officers by courts
Status: in_force

Upon petition, a circuit court may remove from office any elected officer or officer who has been appointed to fill an elective office, residing within the jurisdiction of the court:

1. For neglect of a clear, ministerial duty of the office, misuse of the office, or incompetence in the performance of the duties of the office when that neglect of duty, misuse of office, or incompetence in the performance of duties has a material adverse effect upon the conduct of the office;

2. Upon conviction of a misdemeanor pursuant to Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) or Article 1.1 (§ 18.2-265.1 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2 and after all rights of appeal have terminated involving the:

a. Manufacture, sale, gift, distribution, or possession with intent to manufacture, sell, give, or distribute a controlled substance;

b. Sale, possession with intent to sell, or placing an advertisement for the purpose of selling drug paraphernalia; or

c. Possession of any controlled substance and such conviction under subdivision a, b, or c has a material adverse effect upon the conduct of such office;

3. Upon conviction, and after all rights of appeal have terminated, of a misdemeanor involving a "hate crime" as that term is defined in § 52-8.5 when the conviction has a material adverse effect upon the conduct of such office; or

4. Upon conviction, and after all rights of appeal have terminated, of sexual battery in violation of § 18.2-67.4 , attempted sexual battery in violation of subsection C of § 18.2-67.5 , peeping or spying into dwelling or enclosure in violation of § 18.2-130 , consensual sexual intercourse with a child 15 years of age or older in violation of § 18.2-371 , or indecent exposure of himself or procuring another to expose himself in violation of § 18.2-387 , and such conviction has a material adverse effect upon the conduct of such office.

The petition must be signed by a number of registered voters who reside within the jurisdiction of the officer equal to 10 percent of the total number of votes cast at the last election for the office that the officer holds.

Any person removed from office under the provisions of subdivision 2, 3, or 4 may not be subsequently subject to the provisions of this section for the same criminal offense.

1975, cc. 515, 595, § 24.1-79.5; 1989, c. 470; 1993, c. 641; 2002, cc. 588 , 623 ; 2011, cc. 384 , 410 ; 2014, cc. 566 , 674 , 719 ; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 550 , 551 ; 2023, cc. 663 , 664 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-105 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 1 / Article 2 / Section 24.2-105
Prescribing various forms
Status: in_force

A. The State Board shall prescribe appropriate forms and records for the registration of voters, conduct of elections, and implementation of this title, which shall be used throughout the Commonwealth.

B. The State Board shall prescribe voting and election materials in languages other than English for use by a county, city, or town that is subject to the requirements of § 24.2-128 . For purposes of this subsection, voting and election materials mean registration or voting notices, forms, and instructions. For purposes of this subsection, registration notices mean any notice of voter registration approval, denial, or cancellation, required by the provisions of Chapter 4 (§ 24.2-400 et seq.).

The State Board may make available voting and election materials in any additional languages other than those required by subsection A of § 24.2-128 as it deems necessary and appropriate. The State Board may accept voting and election materials translated by volunteers but shall verify the accuracy of such translations prior to making the translated materials available to a county, city, or town, or any voter.

Code 1950, § 24-28; 1968, c. 97; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-22; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 247; 1975, c. 515; 1977, c. 490; 1993, c. 641; 2020, c. 719 ; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 528 , 533 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-304.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 3 / Article 2.1 / Section 24.2-304.1
At-large and district elections; reapportionment and redistricting of districts or wards; limits
Status: in_force

A. Except as otherwise specifically limited by general law or special act, the governing body of each county, city, or town may provide by ordinance for the election of its members on any of the following bases: (i) at large from the county, city, or town; (ii) from single-member or multi-member districts or wards, or any combination thereof; or (iii) from any combination of at-large, single-member, and multi-member districts or wards. A change in the basis for electing the members of the governing body shall not constitute a change in the form of county government.

B. If the members are elected from districts or wards and other than entirely at large from the locality, the districts or wards shall be composed of contiguous and compact territory and shall be so constituted as to give, as nearly as is practicable, representation in proportion to the population of the district or ward. In 1971 and every 10 years thereafter, the governing body of each such locality shall reapportion the representation among the districts or wards, including, if the governing body deems it appropriate, increasing or diminishing the number of such districts or wards, in order to give, as nearly as is practicable, representation on the basis of population.

C. For the purposes of redistricting and reapportioning representation in 2021 and every 10 years thereafter, the governing body of a county, city, or town shall use the most recent decennial population figures for such county, city, or town from the United States Bureau of the Census, as adjusted by the Division of Legislative Services pursuant to § 24.2-314 . The census data for these redistricting and apportionment purposes will not include any population figure that is not allocated to specific census blocks within the Commonwealth, even though that population may have been included in the apportionment population figures of the Commonwealth for the purpose of allocating United States House of Representatives seats among the states.

D. Notwithstanding any other provision of general law or special act, the governing body of a county, city, or town shall not reapportion the representation in the governing body at any time other than that required following the decennial census, except as (i) provided by law upon a change in the boundaries of the county, city, or town that results in an increase or decrease in the population of the county, city, or town of more than one percent; (ii) the result of a court order; (iii) the result of a change in the form of government; or (iv) the result of an increase or decrease in the number of districts or wards other than at-large districts or wards. The foregoing provisions notwithstanding, the governing body subsequent to the decennial redistricting may adjust district or ward boundaries in order that the boundaries might coincide with state legislative or congressional district boundaries; however, no adjustment shall affect more than five percent of the population of a ward or district or 250 persons, whichever is lesser. If districts created by a reapportionment enacted subsequent to a decennial reapportionment are invalid under the provisions of this subsection, the immediately preexisting districts shall remain in force and effect until validly reapportioned in accordance with law.

E. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, any local government charter, or any other provision of law, general or special, for municipal elections held after July 1, 2026, every locality with a population of 400,000 or greater shall elect its members of the governing body by individual single-member districts. A governing body's presiding officer may be elected at large.

1995, c. 249 ; 2000, c. 884 ; 2001, Sp. Sess. I, c. 6 ; 2002, c. 127 ; 2012, c. 357 ; 2013, c. 483 ; 2020, cc. 1229 , 1265 ; 2026, c. 862 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-534 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 5 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-534
Returns tabulated by State Board; when nominee declared
Status: in_force

As soon as possible after receipt of the certified abstract and not later than fourteen days after the day of the election, the State Board shall open and tabulate the returns. Upon completion of the tabulation the Board shall declare the nominee in the manner and form as it does in general elections.

Code 1950, § 24-389; 1952, c. 4; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-192; 1978, c. 778; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-952.2 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 7 / Section 24.2-952.2
Inaugural 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 committee, the treasurer, or other officer on behalf of the inaugural 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 § 24.2-952.7 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 inaugural 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 inaugural 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 inaugural committee's treasurer.

C. It shall be unlawful for any inaugural 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 inaugural 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 inaugural committee. However, a treasurer or other authorized officer of the inaugural 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 committee, and (iii) fully documented by complete records of the expenditure, maintained as required by this article, 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 an inaugural 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.

1991, cc. 474, 709, § 24.1-254.3; 1993, c. 641, § 24.2-913; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 ; 2020, c. 349 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-410.6 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 2.1 / Section 24.2-410.6
(Effective July 1, 2027) Return of registered voter to active status; cancellation after period of inactivity
Status: in_force

A. In accordance with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. § 20501 et seq.), a registered voter shall be returned to active status from inactive status if, during the period beginning on the date the voter was assigned to inactive status and ending on the day of the second general election for federal office thereafter, the voter:

1. Notifies the general registrar of a change of address within the county or city;

2. Responds to a confirmation notice with information that the voter continues to reside at the registration address;

3. Votes or attempts to vote in a primary or a special or general election and, if necessary, corrects the registration record; or

4. Transfers his registration to another county or city within the Commonwealth pursuant to § 24.2-424 or subsection E of § 24.2-410.4.

B. In accordance with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. § 20501 et seq.), a registered voter assigned inactive status shall have his voter registration canceled if, during the period beginning on the date the voter was assigned to inactive status and ending on the day of the second general election for federal office thereafter, the voter fails to take an action set out in subdivisions A 1 through 4.

C. The general registrar shall post at the courthouse or have published in a newspaper of general circulation in his county or city a list of names of persons whose registration has been canceled pursuant to this section. The general registrar shall deliver or mail, obtaining a certificate of mailing, a certified copy of the list to the chairman of each political party in his county or city.

2026, c. 1120 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-502 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 24.2-502
Statement of economic interests as requirement of candidacy
Status: in_force

It shall be a requirement of candidacy that a written statement of economic interests shall be filed by a candidate for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or Attorney General; a candidate for the Senate or House of Delegates; a candidate for a constitutional office; and a candidate for member of the governing body or elected school board of any county, city, or town with a population in excess of 3,500 persons with the Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council. The statement of economic interests shall be that specified in § 30-111 for candidates for the General Assembly and in § 2.2-3117 for all other candidates. All completed forms shall be filed electronically with the Council in accordance with the standards approved by it pursuant to § 30-356 . The Department shall be responsible for coordinating the electronic filing by candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, the Senate, or the House of Delegates, and the general registrars shall be responsible for coordinating the electronic filing by candidates for constitutional offices, local governing bodies, and elected school boards.

The requirement set forth in this section shall not apply to a candidate for reelection to the same office who has met the requirement of annually filing a statement pursuant to § 2.2-3114 , 2.2-3115 , 2.2-3116 , or 30-110 .

The general registrar, the clerk of the local governing body, or the clerk of the school board, as appropriate, shall transmit to the local electoral board, immediately after the filing deadline, a list of the candidates who have filed initial or annual statements of economic interests.

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; 2013, c. 542 ; 2014, c. 473 ; 2016, cc. 773 , 774 ; 2017, cc. 829 , 832 ; 2026, c. 504 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-949.9 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-949.9
Final report requirement; disbursement of surplus funds
Status: in_force

A. Any political action committee that, after having filed a statement of organization, disbands or determines it will no longer receive contributions or make expenditures during the calendar year in an aggregate amount exceeding $200 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. Amounts received by a political action committee as contributions may be disposed of only by one or any combination of the following: (i) transferring the excess to an affiliated organization of the committee; (ii) returning the excess to a contributor in an amount not to exceed the contributor's original contribution; (iii) donating the excess to any organization described in § 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code; (iv) contributing the excess 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 to any political party committee; and (vi) defraying any ordinary, nonreimbursed expense related to the political action committee. 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; 1993, c. 641, § 24.2-921; 2004, c. 457 ; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 ; 2009, c. 231 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-640 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-640
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 2014, c. 540 , cl. 2, effective April 3, 2014, and c. 576 , cl. 2, effective April 4, 2014.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-813 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 8 / Article 2 / Section 24.2-813
Proceedings in contest for nominee
Status: in_force

In deciding any contest of a primary election, if the court can determine the candidate who has received a plurality of valid votes in the primary, it shall certify the name of that candidate to the State Board and the proper electoral board or boards. The candidate so certified shall be the party nominee and his name shall be printed on the official ballot for the election for which the primary was held. The name of no other person who was a candidate for the contested office in the primary shall be printed on the official ballots as a candidate for that office.

If the court is unable to determine which primary candidate received a plurality of valid votes or if the court decides that there has been no valid election, the party nominee shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of § 24.2-539 .

Code 1950, § 24-395.1; 1952, c. 489; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-246; 1993, c. 641.