Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-950.6 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 5 / Section 24.2-950.6
Filing schedule for political party committees
Status: in_force

A. Political party committees shall file the prescribed campaign finance reports 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 party 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 July 15 complete from the preceding report through June 30;

3. Not later than October 15 complete from the preceding report through September 30; and

4. 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.

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 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-126.2 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 1.1 / Section 24.2-126.2
Determining whether a violation has occurred; factors to consider
Status: in_force

A. In determining whether, under the totality of the circumstances, a violation of § 24.2-126 or 24.2-126.1 has occurred with respect to a protected class, a court may consider one or more of the following factors: (i) the history of discrimination affecting members of the protected class; (ii) the extent to which members of the protected class are disadvantaged or otherwise bear the effects of past public or private discrimination in education, employment, housing, criminal justice, or other areas that hinder the ability of members of the protected class to participate effectively in the political process; (iii) the extent to which members of the protected class have been elected to office; (iv) the extent to which candidates who are members of the protected class have faced barriers to accessing the ballot, receiving financial support, or receiving any other support for campaigns for elective office; (v) the extent to which members of the protected class vote at lower rates than other eligible voters; (vi) the use of overt or subtle racial appeals in political campaigns or by government officials; (vii) the lack of responsiveness by elected officials to the particularized needs of members of the protected class; (viii) the use of any voting qualification, law, ordinance, rule, standard, practice, or procedure that may enhance the dilutive effects of the challenged action; (ix) whether the challenged qualification, law, ordinance, rule, standard, practice, or procedure was designed to advance, and does materially advance, a compelling governmental interest that is substantiated and supported by evidence; and (x) any other factors the court may deem relevant. No one factor is dispositive or necessary to establish that a violation of § 24.2-126 or 24.2-126.1 has occurred, nor shall any specified number or combination of factors be required to establish such a violation.

B. In determining whether a violation of § 24.2-126 or 24.2-126.1 has occurred with respect to a protected class, a court shall not consider (i) the number of members of the protected class who are not burdened by the challenged qualification, law, ordinance, rule, standard, practice, or procedure; (ii) the degree to which the challenged qualification, law, ordinance, rule, standard, practice, or procedure was in widespread use at an earlier date or is currently in use in other states and jurisdictions; (iii) the availability of other forms of voting that are not impacted by the challenged qualification, law, ordinance, rule, standard, practice, or procedure to all eligible voters, including members of the protected class; and (iv) mere invocation of governmental interests in voter confidence or prevention of fraud.

C. Evidence concerning the intent of voters, elected officials, or the political subdivision to discriminate against members of a protected class is not required for a finding that a violation of § 24.2-126 or 24.2-126.1 has occurred.

2026, c. 717 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-216 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 2 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-216
Filling vacancies in the General Assembly
Status: in_force

When a vacancy occurs in the membership of the General Assembly during the recess of the General Assembly or when a member-elect to the next General Assembly dies, resigns, or becomes legally incapacitated to hold office prior to its meeting, the Governor shall issue a writ of election to fill the vacancy. If the vacancy occurs during the session of the General Assembly, the Speaker of the House of Delegates or the President pro tempore of the Senate, as the case may be, shall issue the writ unless the respective house by rule or resolution shall provide otherwise. Upon receipt of written notification by a member or member-elect of his resignation as of a stated date, the Governor, Speaker, or President Pro Tempore, as the case may be, may immediately issue the writ to call the election. The writ shall be issued within 30 days of the vacancy or receipt of notification of the vacancy, whichever comes first. If the vacancy occurs or will occur between December 10 and March 1, the writ shall order the special election to be held no more than 30 days from the date of such vacancy. The member's or member-elect's resignation shall not be revocable after the date stated by him for his resignation or after the forty-fifth day before the date set for the special election.

The writ shall be directed to the secretaries of the electoral boards and the general registrars of the respective counties and cities composing the district for which the election is to be held.

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no election to fill a vacancy shall be ordered or held if the general or special election at which it is to be called is scheduled within 75 days of the end of the term of the office to be filled.

Code 1950, § 24-16; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-16; 1983, c. 461; 1993, c. 641; 2003, c. 1015 ; 2010, cc. 449 , 645 ; 2016, cc. 18 , 492 ; 2023, c. 306 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-601 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 1 / Section 24.2-601
Town election process
Status: in_force

The electoral board and general registrar of the county within which a town, or the greater part thereof, is situated shall control the election process and carry out the applicable provisions of this title concerning towns. For November elections for town offices in any town split between two or more counties, the electoral board of the county in which the lesser part of the town is located shall (i) include town offices on the ballot for the county, and (ii) report the results ascertained for those town offices to the electoral board of the county in which the greatest part of the town is located for inclusion in the results of that county pursuant to § 24.2-671 .

Code 1950, §§ 24-170, 24-172, 24-175; 1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-91, 24.1-93; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 119; 1991, c. 137; 1993, c. 641; 2008, cc. 113 , 394 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-409 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 2.1 / Section 24.2-409
(For contingent expiration date, see Acts 2026, cc. 992 and 1081, cl. 3) Central Criminal Records Exchange to transmit lists of felony convictions to Department of Elections
Status: in_force

The Central Criminal Records Exchange shall transmit to the Department of Elections by electronic means (i) a monthly list of all persons convicted of a felony during the preceding month and (ii) an annual list of all persons who have been convicted of a felony, regardless of when the conviction occurred. The list shall be in a format mutually agreed upon by the Commissioner of Elections and the Department of State Police and shall contain the convicted person's name; address; county, city, or town of residence; social security number, if any; date and place of birth; and date of conviction. The Department shall maintain a permanent record of the information in the lists as part of the voter registration system. Upon receipt of the monthly list, the Department shall compare, on a monthly basis, the contents of the list to the list of all registered voters maintained on the voter registration system and shall notify the appropriate general registrar of the felony conviction of any registered voter. Upon receipt of the annual list, the Department shall compare the contents of the list to the list of all registered voters maintained on the voter registration system and shall notify the appropriate general registrar of the felony conviction of any registered voter. The general registrars shall have access to the information in the lists to carry out their duties pursuant to § 24.2-427 .

1970, c. 462, § 24.1-26; 1972, c. 620; 1975, c. 515; 1993, c. 641; 1999, c. 117 ; 2013, c. 491 ; 2015, c. 740 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-951.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 6 / Section 24.2-951.1
Statement of organization for a referendum committee
Status: in_force

A. Any referendum committee subject to the provisions of this article 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 the pertinent amounts stated in the definition of referendum committee in § 24.2-945.1 . Any change in information previously submitted in a statement of organization shall be reported to the State Board within 10 days following the change.

B. The statement of organization for a referendum committee shall include:

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

2. The names, addresses, and relationships of affiliated or connected organizations;

3. The area, scope, or jurisdiction of the committee;

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

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

6. The subject of the referendum, the date and location of the election, and a statement whether the committee is promoting or opposing the referendum question;

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

8. 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.

2003, c. 257 , § 24.2-910.1; 2005, c. 745 ; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-461 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4.1 / Section 24.2-461
Federal write-in absentee ballot
Status: in_force

A covered voter may use a federal write-in absentee ballot to vote for all offices and ballot measures in an election described in § 24.2-454 .

2012, c. 353 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-106.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 1 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-106.1
Prohibiting the solicitation in public buildings of signatures for nominating petitions by electoral board members and employees
Status: in_force

No member of an electoral board or their office staff shall solicit or assist in the solicitation of signatures for nominating petitions for candidates for public office in any public building owned or leased by the county or city served by the electoral board.

2003, c. 271 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-663 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-663
When ballot void
Status: in_force

If a printed ballot is found to have been voted for a greater number of names for any one office than the number of persons required to fill the office, or if the title of the office is erased, the ballot shall be considered void as to all the names designated to fill such office, but no further, and the ballot shall be counted for the other offices on the ballot. In the case of a ballot scanner machine, an election official is authorized to cause the ballot scanner to receive the ballot and count it in accordance with this section. No ballot shall be void for having been voted for fewer names than authorized.

If any person votes, either in person or absentee, more than one time in an election, all ballots received from such person shall be void and, if possible, not counted. If one such ballot has already been cast, any additional ballots received from such person shall be void and not counted.

Code 1950, § 24-266; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-140; 1978, c. 778; 1993, c. 641; 2013, c. 469 ; 2014, cc. 540 , 576 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-525 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 5 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-525
Persons entitled to have name printed on ballot
Status: in_force

A. Only a person meeting all the qualifications and fulfilling all the requirements of a candidate, and who has complied with the rules and regulations of his party, shall have his name printed on the ballot provided for the primary election. A person who does not file either or both written statements required by § 24.2-503 by the relevant deadline, or the end of the extension period if an extension has been granted pursuant to that section, shall not have his name printed on the ballot provided for the primary election.

B. No person shall have his name printed on the ballot for more than one office at any one primary 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 a primary election.

Code 1950, §§ 24-369 through 24-372; 1960, c. 427; 1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-183, 24.1-184; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 226; 1974, c. 428; 1977, c. 490; 1978, cc. 239, 778; 1983, c. 461; 1993, c. 641; 2000, cc. 513 , 552 ; 2004, c. 881 ; 2020, c. 850 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-655 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-655
Representatives of political parties and candidates to be present on request
Status: in_force

Before proceeding to ascertain the vote, the officers of election shall determine whether no more than two representatives of each political party having candidates in the election and one representative of each independent candidate or primary candidate request to be present while the absentee ballots are cast, votes are counted, and returns are completed.

Each representative shall be a qualified voter of any jurisdiction in the Commonwealth and shall present to the officers of election a written statement certifying that he is an authorized representative, signed by his party chairman for the jurisdiction in which the election is held, the independent candidate, or the candidate in a primary, as appropriate. If the party chairman for the jurisdiction in which the election is held 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 party chairman for the jurisdiction in which the election is held. Such representatives shall be entitled to be present while the votes are counted and shall remain until the returns are completed.

In case such representatives, or any of them, do not request to be present, the officers shall notify the bystanders, if any, and select one or more to be present with any available representatives of the parties or candidates so that there are as many as four bystanders and representatives present.

The representatives and bystanders lawfully present shall have an unobstructed view of the officers of election and their actions while the absentee ballots are cast, votes are counted, and returns are completed. The representatives and bystanders lawfully present are prohibited from interfering with the officers of election in any way.

Code 1950, §§ 24-260, 24-261; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-137; 1974, c. 428; 1993, c. 641; 2006, c. 177 ; 2010, c. 448 ; 2015, c. 133 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-954 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.4 / Section 24.2-954
Campaign fundraising; legislative sessions; penalties
Status: in_force

A. No member of the General Assembly or statewide official and no campaign committee of a member of the General Assembly or statewide official shall solicit or accept a contribution for the campaign committee of any member of the General Assembly or statewide official, or for any political committee, from any person or political committee on and after the first day of a regular session of the General Assembly through adjournment sine die of that session.

B. No person or political committee shall make or promise to make a contribution to a member of the General Assembly or statewide official or his campaign committee on and after the first day of a regular session of the General Assembly through adjournment sine die of that session.

C. The restrictions of this section shall not apply to a contribution (i) made by a member of the General Assembly or statewide official from his personal funds or (ii) made to the campaign committee of a candidate in a special election.

D. As used in this section:

"Adjournment sine die" means adjournment on the last legislative day of the regular session, and such session does not include the ensuing reconvened session;

"Campaign committee," "contribution," "person," and "political committee" shall be defined as provided in § 24.2-945.1 except that "contribution" shall not include money, services, or things of value in any way provided by a candidate to his own campaign and the payment by the candidate of any primary filing fee;

"Solicit" means request a contribution, orally or in writing, but shall not include a request for support of a candidate or his position on an issue; and

"Statewide official" means the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General.

E. Any person who violates, or aids, abets, or participates in the violation of, this section shall be subject to a civil penalty equal to the amount of the prohibited contribution or promised contribution 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.

1997, c. 876 , § 24.2-940; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-453 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4.1 / Section 24.2-453
Restriction of ballot eligibility
Status: in_force

To be eligible to vote in state and local elections, the application of an overseas voter who has given up his place of abode in Virginia must show that the applicant is employed overseas or the spouse or dependent of a person employed overseas.

2012, c. 353 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-949.10 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 4.1 / Section 24.2-949.10
Out-of-state political committees; statements of organization
Status: in_force

A. Out-of-state political committees shall submit a statement of organization on or before the date on which the committee makes contributions of $10,000 or more in the aggregate in a calendar year to candidate campaign committees or political committees registered with the State Board of Elections.

B. The statement of organization shall include information as required pursuant to subsection B of § 24.2-949.2 except that the committee shall not be required to establish a depository account in a financial institution in the Commonwealth.

C. In addition to the information required pursuant to § 24.2-949.2 , the committee shall include on its statement of organization (i) its taxpayer identification number, (ii) the federal and state agencies with which it is required to file financial disclosure information, and (iii) the registration number assigned to it by each agency listed under clause (ii).

D. On the same day that an out-of-state political committee submits its statement of organization to the State Board, (i) it shall file a list of each contributor who has contributed to the committee $2,500 or more in the aggregate between the immediately preceding January 1 and the date on which the statement of organization is filed 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; and (ii) it shall file a report of the contributions it has made to candidate campaign committees or political committees registered with the State Board between the immediately preceding January 1 and the date on which the statement of organization is filed.

E. Any political organization as defined in § 527 of the United States Internal Revenue Code that is shown on the list of contributors required by this section and that has contributed $50,000 or more to the committee filing the list of contributors required by this section shall be required to file a statement of organization and the lists of its contributors and its contributions as provided in subsection D.

2006, cc. 771 , 805 , § 24.2-908.2.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-672 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-672
Electoral board to correct irregularities in returns of officers of election
Status: in_force

While ascertaining the results of an election, the electoral board may find that there are irregularities or informalities in the returns of the officers of election which can be cured by amending or correcting the returns. Then the board immediately shall summon, to appear before the board on the date of the summons or the next date thereafter, the officers of elections required to amend the returns so that the same may conform to the law. The summons may be executed by any person authorized by law to serve summonses for witnesses.

Code 1950, § 24-275; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-147; 1992, c. 329; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-1015 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 10 / Section 24.2-1015
Conspiracy against rights of citizens under this title
Status: in_force

If two or more persons conspire to injure, oppress, threaten, intimidate, prevent, or hinder any citizen of this Commonwealth in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him by the provisions of this title, or because of his having so exercised such right, they shall be guilty of a Class 5 felony.

1970, c. 462, § 24.1-278; 1991, c. 710; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-454 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4.1 / Section 24.2-454
Elections covered
Status: in_force

The voting procedures in this chapter apply to:

1. A general, special, or primary election for federal office;

2. A general, special, or primary election for statewide or state legislative office or state referendum measure; and

3. A general, special, or primary election for local constitutional or government office or local referendum measure conducted under Chapter 6 (§ 24.2-600 et seq.) for which absentee voting is available for other voters.

2012, c. 353 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-222.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 2 / Article 5 / Section 24.2-222.1
Alternative election of mayor and council at November general election in cities and towns
Status: in_force

A. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 24.2-222 , and notwithstanding any contrary provisions of a city or town charter, the council of a city or town may provide by ordinance that the mayor, if an elected mayor is provided for by charter, and council shall be elected at the November general election date of any cycle as designated in the ordinance, for terms to commence January 1. No such ordinance shall be adopted between January 1 and the May general election date of the year in which city or town elections regularly are scheduled to be held therein.

B. Alternatively, the registered voters of a city or town may file a petition with the circuit court of the city or of the county within which the town is located asking that a referendum be held on the question of whether the city or town should elect the mayor, if an elected mayor is provided for by charter, and council members at the November general election date of any cycle as designated in the petition. The petition shall be signed by registered voters equal in number to at least ten percent of the number registered in the city or town on the January 1 preceding the filing.

The court, pursuant to § 24.2-684 , shall order the election officials on a day fixed in the order to conduct a referendum on the question, provided that no such referendum shall be scheduled between January 1 and the May general election date of the year in which city or town elections regularly are scheduled to be held therein. The clerk of the court shall publish notice of the referendum once a week for the three consecutive weeks prior to the referendum in a newspaper having general circulation in the city or town, and shall post a copy of the notice at the door of the courthouse of the city or county within which the town is located. The question on the ballot shall be:

"Shall the (city or town) change the election date of the mayor (if so provided by charter) and members of council from the May general election to the November general election (in even-numbered or odd-numbered years or as otherwise designated in the petition)?"

If members of the school board in the city or town are elected by the voters, the ballot question also shall state that the change in election date applies to the election of school board members.

The referendum shall be held and the results certified as provided in § 24.2-684 . If a majority of the voters voting in the referendum vote in favor of the change, the mayor and council thereafter shall be elected at the November general election date for terms to commence January 1.

C. Except as provided in subsection D, no term of a mayor or member of council shall be shortened in implementing the change to the November election date. Mayors and members of council who were elected at a May general election and whose terms are to expire as of June 30 shall continue in office until their successors have been elected at the November general election and have been qualified to serve.

D. In any city or town that elects its council biennially or quadrennially and that changes to the November general election date in odd-numbered years from the May general election date in even-numbered years, mayors and members of council who were elected at a May general election shall have their term of office shortened by six months but shall continue in office until their successors have been elected at the November general election and have been qualified to serve.

2000, c. 1045 ; 2002, c. 30 ; 2016, c. 402 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-947.11 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-947.11
Special report required of certain large pre-legislative session contributions
Status: in_force

A. Any candidate for a statewide office or the General Assembly shall, not later than January 15, file a report with the State Board of any single contribution in excess of $1,000, or any combination of contributions with an aggregate value in excess of $1,000 from a single person, that is knowingly received or reported by the candidate or his treasurer on behalf of his candidacy during the period beginning January 1 and ending on the day immediately before the first day of a regular session of the General Assembly. This report shall be filed as provided in § 24.2-947.5 , and the report shall be received by the State Board not later than January 15.

B. Any contribution reported pursuant to subsection A shall not be required to be reported on any subsequent report required by this article following the date of the contribution.

2020, c. 770 , § 24.2-947.10; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 343 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-225 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 2 / Article 6 / Section 24.2-225
Applicability
Status: in_force

This article applies to vacancies in any elected constitutional or local office if there is no other statutory or charter provision for filling a vacancy in the office. Further provisions within this article which specifically override other statutory or charter provisions shall prevail.

Code 1950, § 24-145; 1958, c. 621; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-76; 1975, c. 515; 1976, c. 616; 1977, c. 490; 1984, c. 480; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-957.3 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.5 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-957.3
Requirements for television advertisements sponsored by a person that is not a candidate campaign committee or political committee
Status: in_force

A. It shall be unlawful for a person 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. If the sponsor is an individual, a disclosure statement spoken by the individual containing at least the following words: "I am [individual's name], and I sponsored this ad."

2. If the sponsor is a corporation, partnership, business, labor organization, membership organization, association, cooperative, or other like entity, a disclosure statement spoken by the chief executive officer containing at least the following words: "[Name of sponsor] paid for (or 'sponsored' or 'furnished') this ad."

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

C. If an advertisement is jointly sponsored, the disclosure statement shall include the names of all the sponsors.

2002, c. 487 , § 24.2-944; 2004, cc. 55 , 457 ; 2005, c. 369 ; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-424 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-424
Change of registered voter's address within the Commonwealth; pilot project
Status: in_force

A. Whenever a registered voter changes his place of residence within the Commonwealth, he shall promptly notify any general registrar of the address of his new residence. Such notice may be made in person, in writing, by return of the voter registration card noting the new address, or on a form approved by the State Board of Elections, which may be electronic. The notice in writing may be provided by mail or by facsimile and shall be signed by the voter unless he is physically unable to sign, in which case his own mark acknowledged by a witness shall be sufficient signature. Notice may be provided by electronic means as authorized by the State Board and signed by the voter in a manner consistent with the provisions of § 24.2-416.7 and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (§ 59.1-479 et seq.). The fact that a voter provides an address on a candidate or referendum petition that differs from the address for the voter on the voter registration system shall not be sufficient notice to change the voter's registration address. Any statements made by any voter applying for transfer are subject to felony penalties for making a false statement pursuant to § 24.2-1016 .

B. If the voter has moved within the same county or city, on receipt of the notification, the general registrar for that county or city shall (i) enter the new address on the registration record; (ii) if satisfied that the registered voter has moved into another precinct within the same county or city, transfer the registration of the voter to that precinct; and (iii) send the voter confirmation documents. This transfer may be entered in the registration records at any time the registration records are not closed pursuant to § 24.2-416 .

C. Any request for transfer or change of address within the Commonwealth delivered to any registrar shall be forwarded to the general registrar for the city or county in the Commonwealth where the voter now resides. When forwarding said notice, or upon request from the registrar for the county or city where the voter now resides, the registrar for the county or city where the voter formerly resided shall forward the original application for registration to the registrar for the voter's new locality.

D. Upon receipt of the voter's original registration application, and notice as specified in subsection A of this section indicating the voter's current residence, the registrar for the county or city in which the voter currently resides shall: (i) enter the new address on the registration record; (ii) if satisfied that the registered voter has moved into a precinct within that county or city, transfer the registration of the voter to that precinct; (iii) send the voter confirmation documents; and (iv) through the Virginia voter registration system, notify the registrar of the locality where the voter formerly resided that the registration has been transferred. This transfer may be entered in the registration records at any time the registration records are not closed pursuant to § 24.2-416 .

E. If the original registration application is no longer available to the registrar in the city or county where the voter formerly resided, either of the following shall be sent to and accepted by the registrar in the city or county where the voter now resides in lieu of such application: (i) an unsigned voter card (or conversion card) used as the voter record upon the creation of the statewide voter registration system or (ii) a replacement record provided by the Department to replace damaged files in the registrar's office. If no other record is available, then the registrar of the voter's former locality shall provide written notification to the registrar of the locality in which the voter now resides that none of the required documents are available. In this instance only, the registrar of the locality in which the voter now resides shall copy the voter's record from the Virginia voter registration system and use that record in lieu of the original voter registration application. Any complete voter registration application on a form previously authorized for use in Virginia shall be valid for the purposes of continuing or transferring a voter's registration within the Commonwealth.

Code 1950, § 24-85; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-52; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 247; 1977, c. 490; 1993, c. 641; 2000, c. 857 ; 2001, cc. 615 , 625 ; 2002, c. 279 ; 2003, c. 1015 ; 2013, cc. 520 , 684 ; 2015, c. 740 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-427 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 5 / Section 24.2-427
(For contingent expiration date, see Acts 2026, cc. 992 and 1081, cl. 3) Cancellation of registration for persons known to be deceased or disqualified to vote
Status: in_force

A. The general registrar shall promptly cancel the registration of all persons known by him to be deceased or disqualified to vote in accordance with the provisions of this section. A voter's registration may be canceled at any time during the year in which the general registrar discovers that the person is no longer entitled to be registered. The general registrar shall provide notice of any cancellation to the person whose registration is canceled, by mail to the address listed in the voter's registration record and by email to the email address provided on the voter's registration application, if one was provided.

B. Upon receipt of a report from the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to § 24.2-410.1 or from the Department of Elections based on information received from the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program (SAVE Program) pursuant to subsection E of § 24.2-404 , the general registrar shall mail notice promptly to all persons listed in the report as not being a citizen of the United States prior to cancelling the registrations of such persons. The notice shall inform the person of the report from the Department of Motor Vehicles or from the Department of Elections and allow the person to submit his sworn statement that he is a United States citizen within 14 days of the date that the notice was mailed. The general registrar shall cancel the registrations of such persons who do not respond within 14 days to the notice that they have been reported not to be United States citizens.

C. Upon receipt of notice from the Department of Elections pursuant to § 24.2-409 that a registered voter has been convicted of a felony, the general registrar shall mail notice promptly to the registered voter prior to canceling such person's registration. The notice shall inform the person of the report from the Central Criminal Records Exchange and allow the person to submit his sworn statement that he has not been convicted of a felony or that, if having been convicted of a felony, his right to vote has been restored. Such statement shall be submitted to the general registrar within 14 days of the date that the notice was mailed and the registrar shall cancel the registration of any person who does not respond within such time.

D. Upon receipt of a notice submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles in accordance with the Driver License Compact set out in Article 18 (§ 46.2-483 et seq.) of Chapter 3 of Title 46.2 that a registered voter has moved from the Commonwealth, the general registrar may cancel the registration of such person. Prior to canceling a registration pursuant to this subsection, the general registrar shall mail notice of such cancellation to the person at both his new address, as reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles, and the address at which he had most recently been registered in Virginia. No general registrar may cancel registrations under this subsection while the registration records are closed pursuant to § 24.2-416 . No registrar may cancel the registration under this authority of any person who (i) is a member of a uniformed service of the United States, as defined in § 24.2-452 , on active duty; (ii) resides temporarily outside of the United States; or (iii) is a spouse or dependent residing with a person listed in clause (i) or (ii), and shall reinstate the registration of any such person who is otherwise a qualified voter and who applies to vote within four years of the date of cancellation.

Code 1950, §§ 24-59, 24-60, 24-60.1, 24-71 through 24-73, 24-90, 24-93, 24-94, 24-101, 24-111; 1958, c. 576; 1962, cc. 422, 536; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-46(12); 1972, c. 620; 1973, c. 30; 1974, c. 428; 1976, c. 616; 1979, c. 329; 1980, c. 639; 1982, c. 650; 1983, c. 398; 1984, c. 480; 1986, c. 558; 1990, c. 193; 1993, c. 641; 1996, cc. 72 , 73 ; 1997, cc. 801 , 805 ; 1999, c. 851 ; 2000, c. 857 ; 2001, c. 634 ; 2002, cc. 785 , 819 ; 2006 cc. 926 , 940 ; 2007, c. 318 ; 2008, c. 382 ; 2012, c. 686 ; 2013, c. 686 ; 2015, c. 740 ; 2022, cc. 4 , 28 , 318 ; 2026, cc. 1120 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-947.3 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-947.3
Campaign committee treasurer requirements and responsibilities
Status: in_force

A. Upon meeting any of the requirements of subsection A of § 24.2-947.1 , the candidate shall appoint a single campaign treasurer who shall be a registered voter in Virginia. Every treasurer so appointed shall accept the appointment, in writing on the statement of organization, prior to the filing thereof. No individual shall act as treasurer unless the required statement of appointment has been filed. The same person may serve as campaign treasurer for more than one candidate.

B. In the event of the death, resignation, removal, or change of the treasurer, the candidate shall designate a successor and file the name and address of the successor within 10 days of the change with the State Board, general registrar, or both, as provided in subsection B of § 24.2-947.1 .

C. Any candidate who fails to appoint a treasurer or successor treasurer shall be deemed to have appointed himself treasurer and shall comply as such with the provisions of this chapter.

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

E. The candidate or his treasurer shall keep detailed and accurate accounts of all contributions turned over to and expenditures made by the candidate or his treasurer on behalf of the candidate or his campaign committee, or reported to any candidate or his 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 § 24.2-948.4 or (ii) three years after the December 31 immediately following the election, whichever last occurs, unless a court of competent jurisdiction shall order their retention for a longer period.

F. The treasurer shall be responsible for retaining all bank statements for, and copies of checks issued on, the campaign depository and bills, invoices, and receipts for any expenditure greater than $500. The treasurer for a nonincumbent candidate shall retain such records and materials for a period starting from the date of the designation of the campaign depository for the campaign through July 1 of the year immediately following the year of the election. The treasurer for incumbent candidates shall retain such records and materials for a period starting from the date that the incumbent was sworn into office for the term being served at the time of the election through July 1 of the year immediately following the year of the election. The treasurer shall make such records and materials available to the Department or its designee upon request pursuant to the provisions of § 24.2-948.5 .

G. It shall be unlawful for any candidate, his treasurer, or any person receiving contributions or making expenditures on a candidate's behalf or in relation to his candidacy, to fail to report every contribution and expenditure as required by this article.

1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-253, 24.1-254, 24.1-255, 24.2-256; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 222; 1972, cc. 620, 622; 1975, c. 515; 1978, c. 778; 1981, c. 425; 1983, c. 119; 1984, c. 480; 1988, c. 616; 1990, c. 976; 1991, c. 9; 1993, cc. 641, 776, 921, §§ 24.2-904, 24.2-906, 24.2-907; 1996, c. 405 ; 2003, c. 248 ; 2004, cc. 441 , 480 ; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 ; 2015, cc. 644 , 645 ; 2022, c. 258 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-401 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 1 / Section 24.2-401
(Effective until July 1, 2027) Persons moving from precinct
Status: in_force

A person who is qualified to vote except for having moved his residence from one precinct to another within the Commonwealth may vote in the precinct from which he has moved in the following November general election and any intervening election unless his registration has been transferred or cancelled as provided in this chapter. In addition, a person may continue to vote in the precinct from which he has moved through the ensuing second general election for federal office, provided that (i) he has moved his residence from one precinct to another in the same registrar's jurisdiction and the same congressional district; (ii) he has failed to respond to the notice provided in § 24.2-428 ; (iii) his registration has not been transferred or cancelled as provided in this chapter; and (iv) he has affirmed orally or in writing his new address before an officer of election at the polling place.

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; 1996, cc. 72 , 73 ; 1997, c. 346 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-110 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 1 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-110
Appointment, qualifications, and term of general registrar; vacancies; certain prohibitions
Status: in_force

A. Each electoral board shall meet in the month of May or June in 2007, and every four years thereafter, and shall appoint a general registrar, who shall be a qualified voter of the county or city for which he is appointed unless such county or city has a population of 50,000 or less. In the case of a city that is wholly contained within one county, the city electoral board may appoint a qualified voter of that county to serve as city general registrar. General registrars shall serve four-year terms beginning July 1, 2007, and each fourth year thereafter, and continue in office until a successor is appointed and qualifies.

The electoral board shall fill any vacancy in the office of general registrar for the unexpired term. The electoral board shall declare vacant and fill the office of the general registrar if the appointee fails to qualify and deliver a copy of his oath to the secretary of the electoral board within 30 days after he has been notified of his appointment.

B. No general registrar shall hold any other office, by election or appointment, while serving as general registrar; however, with the consent of the electoral board, he may undertake other duties which do not conflict with his duties as general registrar. General registrars shall not serve as officers of election. The election or appointment of a general registrar to any other office shall vacate the office of the general registrar.

No general registrar shall be eligible to offer for or hold an office to be filled by election in whole or in part by the qualified voters of his jurisdiction at any election held during the time he serves as general registrar or for the six months thereafter.

The electoral board shall not appoint to the office of general registrar any person who is the spouse of an electoral board member or any person, or the spouse of any person, who is the parent, grandparent, sibling, child, or grandchild of an electoral board member.

C. No general registrar shall serve as the chairman of a political party or other officer of a state, local or district level political party committee. No general registrar shall serve as a paid or volunteer worker in the campaign of a candidate for nomination or election to an office filled by election in whole or in part by the qualified voters of his jurisdiction. The restrictions of this subsection shall apply to paid deputy registrars but shall not apply to unpaid deputy registrars.

D. Upon appointment pursuant to this section, a general registrar shall be eligible for protected voter status under subsection B of § 24.2-418 .

Code 1950, §§ 24-30, 24-35, 24-36, 24-52, 24-52.1, 24-53, 24-55, 24-61, 24-65, 24-66, 24-118.1, 24-199; 1954, c. 691; 1958, c. 576; 1962, c. 475; 1964, c. 608; 1968, cc. 97, 141; 1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-32, 24.1-34, 24.1-43, 24.1-44; 1973, c. 30; 1974, c. 428; 1975, c. 515; 1976, c. 12; 1978, c. 778; 1980, c. 639; 1981, c. 425; 1982, cc. 290, 650; 1983, c. 511; 1984, c. 480; 1985, c. 197; 1986, c. 558, § 24.1-33.2; 1988, c. 528; 1989, c. 227; 1993, c. 641; 1995, cc. 835 , 848 ; 1996, c. 308 ; 2004, cc. 27 , 391 ; 2009, c. 403 ; 2018, cc. 692 , 693 ; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 482 ; 2022, c. 140 ; 2024, c. 309 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-635 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-635
Demonstration of equipment
Status: in_force

In each county, city, or town in which voting or counting equipment is to be used, the electoral board or general registrar may designate times and places for the exhibition of equipment containing sample ballots, showing the title of offices to be filled, and, so far as practicable, the names of the candidates to be voted for at the next election for the purpose of informing voters who request instruction on the use of the equipment. No equipment shall be used for such instruction after being prepared and sealed for use in any election. During exhibitions, the counting mechanism, if any, of the equipment may be concealed from view.

Code 1950, § 24-304; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-214; 1985, c. 458; 1993, c. 641; 2003, c. 1015 ; 2016, cc. 18 , 492 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-949.7:1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-949.7:1
Special report required of certain large pre-election expenditures
Status: in_force

A. Any contribution or expenditure reported pursuant to this section shall also be reported on the first report required by this article after any election.

B. Political action committees shall report any single contribution received or expenditure made of $1,000 or more between May 26 and the third Tuesday in June in odd-numbered years. Such contribution or expenditure shall be reported electronically pursuant to § 24.2-946.1 , and the report shall be received by the State Board by 11:59 p.m. on the following day or, for a contribution received or expenditure made on a Saturday, by 11:59 p.m. on the following Monday. However, any such contribution received or expenditure made within the 24 hours prior to the third Tuesday in June shall be reported and a report thereof received on the day prior to the third Tuesday in June.

C. Political action committees shall report any single contribution received or expenditure made of $1,000 or more between October 8 and the date of the November general election. Such contribution or expenditure shall be reported electronically pursuant to § 24.2-946.1 , and the report shall be received by the State Board by 11:59 p.m. on the following day or, for a contribution received or expenditure made on a Saturday, by 11:59 p.m. on the following Monday. However, any such contribution received or expenditure made within the 24 hours prior to the election day shall be reported and a report thereof received on the day prior to the election.

2023, c. 764 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-669 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-669
Clerk to keep ballots; inspection; destruction
Status: in_force

The clerk to whom the counted and uncounted ballots are delivered shall, without breaking the seal, deposit them in a secure place in his office, where they shall be kept for the time required by this section. He shall not allow the ballots to be inspected except (i) by an authorized representative of the State Board or by the electoral board at the direction of the State Board to ensure the accuracy of the returns or the purity of the election, (ii) by the officers of election, and then only at the direction of the electoral board in accordance with § 24.2-672 when the provisions of § 24.2-662 have not been followed, (iii) on the order of a court before which there is pending a proceeding for a contest or recount under Chapter 8 (§ 24.2-800 et seq.) of this title or before whom there is then pending a proceeding in which the ballots are necessary for use in evidence, or (iv) for the purpose of conducting a risk-limiting audit pursuant to § 24.2-671.2 . In the event that ballots are inspected under clause (i), (ii), or (iv) of this paragraph, each political party and each independent candidate on the ballot, or each primary candidate, shall be entitled to have a representative present during such inspection. The representatives and observers lawfully present shall be prohibited from interfering with the officers of election in any way. The State Board or local electoral board shall provide such parties and candidates reasonable advance notice of the inspection.

After the counted ballots for a federal election have remained in the clerk's office for two years, if no election contest or other proceeding is pending in which such ballots may be needed as evidence, the clerk shall destroy such ballots. After the counted ballots for any other election have remained in the clerk's office for one year, if no election contest or other proceeding is pending in which such ballots may be needed as evidence, the clerk shall destroy such ballots. After the unused ballots have remained in the clerk's office and the time has expired for initiating a recount, contest, or other proceeding in which such ballots may be needed as evidence and no such contest or proceeding is pending, the clerk may then destroy the unused ballots other than punchcard ballots, which shall be returned to the electoral board.

Code 1950, §§ 24-268, 24-270; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-144; 1973, c. 30; 1975, c. 515; 1978, c. 778; 1981, c. 425; 1992, c. 293; 1993, c. 641; 1998, c. 270 ; 2003, c. 1015 ; 2006, c. 689 ; 2008, c. 565 ; 2022, cc. 443 , 444 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-947.4 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-947.4
Information to be included on campaign finance reports for campaign 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 campaign 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 campaign 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 contribution,

f. the occupation of the contributor,

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

h. the city and state 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.

3. For each designated contribution received by the campaign committee from a political committee, out-of-state political committee, or federal political action committee, the campaign committee shall list the name of the person who designated the contribution and provide the information required by this subsection.

C. 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.

D. Each report for a candidate shall list separately those receipts and expenditures reported to the candidate or his treasurer by any person, campaign committee, or political committee pursuant to subsection D of § 24.2-947.3 , and in the case of in-kind contributions, shall set forth in each instance the source of the information reported.

E. 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.

F. 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.

G. It is the joint responsibility of the candidate and his treasurer that the report of a candidate be filed, that the report be in full and accurate detail, and that the report be received by the State Board, general registrar, or both, by the deadline for filing the report.

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 ; 2015, cc. 644 , 645 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-703.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 7 / Section 24.2-703.1
(Effective until July 1, 2027) Permanent absentee voter list
Status: in_force

A. Any registered voter shall be eligible to file a special application to receive absentee ballots for all elections in which he is eligible to vote. Such application shall be on a form approved by the State Board. The absentee ballots sent to a voter on the permanent absentee voter list shall be sent to the address in the voter's registration record, except as provided in subdivision C 1.

B. In accordance with procedures established by the State Board, the general registrar shall retain the application, enroll the applicant on a permanent absentee voter list, and process the applicant's request for an absentee ballot for each succeeding election. The applicant shall specify by party designation the primary ballots he is requesting.

C. The State Board shall prescribe the process by which a voter on the permanent absentee voter list may:

1. Request that his absentee ballot for (i) a single election or (ii) a primary election and the following general election be sent to an address other than the address on his voter registration record.

2. Request a primary ballot for a political party other than the one he specified on his application for permanent absentee voter status for a single primary election.

3. Change his political party selection for all succeeding primary elections.

D. A voter shall be removed from the permanent absentee voter list if (i) the voter requests in writing to be removed from the list, (ii) the voter's registration is canceled pursuant to § 24.2-427 , (iii) the voter's registration is placed on inactive status pursuant to § 24.2-428 or 24.2-428.1 , or (iv) the voter moves to a different address not in the same county or city of his registration.

2001, cc. 789 , 850 ; 2008, c 880 ; 2019, cc. 668 , 669 ; 2020, cc. 1156 , 1201 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-309 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 3 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-309
Establishment of precinct with less than minimum number of voters; conduct of elections where all voters do not have same choice of candidates
Status: in_force

A precinct may be established with fewer than the minimum number of registered voters required by this article if a larger precinct cannot be established in which all persons are voting at any general election for the same candidates for the governing body and school board of the county or city, House of Delegates, state Senate, and United States House of Representatives. The governing body may select a polling place within one mile of the boundaries of that precinct if a suitable polling place is not available within that precinct.

The State Board shall make regulations setting procedures by which elections may be conducted in precincts in which all voters do not have the same choice of candidates at a general election.

1971, Ex. Sess., c. 264, § 24.1-40; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-410.2 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 2.1 / Section 24.2-410.2
(Repealed effective July 1, 2027) Security of the Virginia voter registration system
Status: repealed

A. The State Board shall promulgate regulations and standards necessary to ensure the security and integrity of the Virginia voter registration system and the supporting technologies utilized by the counties and cities to maintain and record registrant information. The State Board shall, in consultation with representatives of local government information technology professionals and general registrars, update the security standards at least annually. Such review shall be completed by November 30 each year.

B. The electoral board of each county and city that utilizes supporting technologies to maintain and record registrant information shall develop and annually update written plans and procedures to ensure the security and integrity of those supporting technologies. All plans and procedures shall be in compliance with the security standards established by the State Board pursuant to subsection A. Each electoral board shall report annually by March 1 to the Department of Elections on its security plans and procedures. The general registrar and the Department of Elections shall provide assistance to the electoral board, upon request by the electoral board.

C. In accordance with the process prescribed by the State Board, the Department of Elections may limit access to the Virginia voter registration system by any county or city that has failed to comply with the provisions of subsection B or the security standards established by the State Board pursuant to subsection A. Such access shall be limited as necessary in order to address and resolve any security risks or to enforce compliance with the provisions of subsection B or the security standards established by the State Board. Prior to restricting access to Virginia voter registration system by any county or city, the Department of Elections shall provide notice to the county or city of the failure to comply with the provisions of subsection A or B and the county or city shall have seven days to correct any deficiencies. The Department of Elections may provide technical assistance to any county or city upon request by the county or city.

D. Records of the State Board or of a local electoral board, to the extent such records describe protocols for maintaining the security of the Virginia voter registration system and the supporting technologies utilized to maintain and record registrant information, the release of which would compromise the security of the Virginia voter registration system, shall be confidential and excluded from inspection and copying under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.).

E. The State Board or a local electoral board may hold a closed meeting pursuant to the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.) for the purpose of discussing protocols for maintaining the security of the Virginia voter registration system and the supporting technologies utilized to maintain and record registrant information, where discussion of such matters in open meeting would compromise the security of the Virginia voter registration system. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize a closed meeting to discuss any breach of security of the Virginia voter registration system.

F. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the release of information concerning any breach of security of the Virginia voter registration system.

2019, c. 426 ; 2026, c. 1120 , cl. 2.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-949.13 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 4.1 / Section 24.2-949.13
Certain contributions received from federal political action and out-of-state political committees; political committee responsibilities
Status: in_force

Prior to accepting contributions of $10,000 or more in the aggregate in any calendar year from any one federal political action committee or out-of-state political committee, a political committee shall (i) request the federal political action committee's or out-of-state political committee's State Board of Elections registration number from the committee and (ii) verify that number with the State Board.

2006, cc. 771 , 805 , § 24.2-910.4.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-306 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 3 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-306
Changes not to be enacted within 60 days of general election; notice requirements
Status: in_force

A. No change in any local election district, precinct, or polling place shall be enacted within 60 days next preceding any general election. Notice shall be published prior to enactment in a newspaper having general circulation in the election district or precinct once a week for two successive weeks. The published notice shall state where descriptions and maps of proposed boundary and polling place changes may be inspected.

B. Notice of any adopted change in any election district, town, precinct, or polling place other than in the location of the office of the general registrar shall be mailed to all registered voters whose election district, town, precinct, or polling place is changed at least 30 days prior to the next general, special, or primary election in which the voters will be voting in the changed election district, town, precinct, or polling place.

Notice of a change in the location of a polling place shall also be posted, to the extent practicable, at the location last used for such polling place on the day of the first primary election and first general election conducted in the new location. This notice shall also include information on how voters may find their polling place.

Notice of a change in the location of the office of the general registrar shall be given by posting on the official website of the county or city, by posting at not less than 10 public places, or by publication once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or city within not more than 21 days in advance of the change or within seven days following the change.

C. Each county, city, and town shall comply with the applicable requirements of law, including §§ 24.2-304.3 and 30-395 , and send copies of enacted changes, including a Geographic Information System (GIS) map showing the new boundaries of the districts or precincts, to the local electoral board, the Department, 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 new districts or precincts, and the Department of Elections shall create such a map.

Code 1950, §§ 24-49 through 24-51; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-39; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 119; 1993, c. 641; 1995, c. 249 ; 2003, c. 1015 ; 2004, c. 1000 ; 2012, cc. 328 , 486 ; 2019, cc. 777 , 778 ; 2020, Sp. Sess. I, c. 56 ; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 528 , 533 ; 2022, Sp. Sess. I, c. 1 ; 2024, cc. 312 , 461 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-602.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 1 / Section 24.2-602.1
Electoral board members to wear identification; civil penalty
Status: in_force

The Department of Elections shall issue a standardized identification badge to the acting electoral board members of each locality. The badge shall be easily readable and include the name, position, locality, and term expiration date of each electoral board member. Electoral board members shall wear their Department-issued identification badge while conducting their official duties on the day of an election. If the State Board determines that an electoral board member has knowingly violated the provisions of this section, the State Board shall assess a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $250.

2026, c. 1039 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-803 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 8 / Article 2 / Section 24.2-803
Contest of election to General Assembly
Status: in_force

A. This section applies to any general or special election of members to the General Assembly.

B. A contest of the election of any member to the General Assembly may be initiated by an unsuccessful candidate in the election, referred to hereafter as the contestant.

To initiate a contest, the contestant shall give written notice, in the manner provided in subsection D, of his intent to contest the election to the person or persons apparently elected, referred to hereafter as the contestee, and to the Clerk of the House of Delegates if he is contesting a House election or of the Senate if he is contesting a Senate election, no later than thirty days following the date of the election or three days after the conclusion of a recount, whichever is later.

The notice shall state the grounds on which the contestant intends to contest the election. The grounds shall include (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.

The notice shall state that an answer by the contestee must be filed with the clerk of the appropriate house within ten days following service of the notice. The contestant shall sign and verify the notice by his oath or affirmation.

At the time of filing the notice, the contestant shall post a bond with surety with the Clerk of the House of Delegates or Senate, as appropriate, in the amount of $100 per precinct contained in whole or in part in the district being contested. If the contestant wins the contest, the bond shall not be forfeited. If the contestant loses the contest, the bond shall be forfeited to the extent of the contestee's actual and documented costs of defending against the contest, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees, expert witnesses' fees, and such costs as would be taxable in an action at law. If the assessed costs exceed the bond, the contestant shall be liable for such excess only pursuant to subsection H.

C. Within ten days after service of the contestant's notice on the contestee, the contestee shall file with the clerk of the appropriate house a written answer. His answer shall admit or deny the allegations on which the contestant relies, or state that he has no knowledge or information concerning an allegation which shall be deemed denial, and state any other defenses, in law or fact, on which he relies. The contestee shall sign and verify his answer by his oath or affirmation.

D. The notice of intent to contest shall be filed by the contestant with the clerk of the appropriate house and copies thereof served by the contestant as provided under § 8.01-296 on each contestee. The answer, petition, and any reply and copies thereof shall be filed with the appropriate clerk, and copies shall be served on the opposing party or his counsel, if any, in the manner prescribed by Rule 1:12 of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia.

After service of the notice of intent, any party, after reasonable notice to the other party or parties, shall be authorized to take depositions to sustain or invalidate the election. The contestant shall complete the taking of depositions to submit with his petition at any time within twenty days following the date of the notice of intent to contest the election, and the contestee shall complete the taking of his depositions within thirty days following the date of the notice of intent to contest the election. By written stipulation of the parties, the testimony of any witness may be filed in the form of an affidavit by the witness within the same time limitations prescribed for the taking of depositions.

Subpoenas for witnesses shall be issued by the clerk of the circuit court of the county or city in which the contestee resides on the application of either party. Witnesses shall be entitled to the same allowances and privileges, and be subject to the same penalties, as witnesses summoned to attend the courts.

Every deposition shall be taken before a person authorized by law to administer oaths, who shall certify and seal the deposition in the same manner as in judicial civil proceedings, and file the same with the clerk of the appropriate house.

E. A written petition shall be filed by the contestant with the clerk of the appropriate house (i) within ten days following the filing of the notice of intent to contest the election if the contested election was held at a November general election and (ii) within ten days following the date of the filing of the notice of intent to contest the election or within two days following the commencement of the next session of the General Assembly, whichever is later, if the election was held on a different date. The contestee may file a written reply to the petition within five days following its service on him.

No affidavit may be made a part of, or filed in support of, a petition or reply thereto unless the affidavit has previously been filed with the clerk of the appropriate house, pursuant to the written stipulation of the parties or their counsel, on or before the date established by subsection D for the completion of the taking of depositions by the proponent of the affidavit.

F. If the election was held during a regular session of the General Assembly, the times for filing the notice of intent to contest, the answer, petition, and reply and for taking depositions and affidavits shall be set by the Committee on Privileges and Elections of the appropriate house. The Committee may consider the contestant's and contestee's recommendations for the procedural schedule.

G. The clerk shall refer the notice, answer, petition, reply, depositions, and affidavits to the Committee on Privileges and Elections, which documents shall constitute the record in the contest. A failure to comply in timely manner with the filing requirements of subsection B, C, D, or E shall be dispositive of the contest and have the effect of a finding for the opponent of the party failing to meet such requirements.

Unless another committee has been designated by the rules of the house to hear contest matters, the Committee on Privileges and Elections shall hear the contest and conduct such investigation as has been directed by resolution of its house. It shall report its findings and recommendations to the house for its action. The committee hearing the contest shall take up the contest no later than its first regularly scheduled meeting occurring after the filing of the record in the contest.

H. The house, in its judgment, may find for the contestant and declare him elected, find for the contestee and confirm his election, or declare the election void and order a writ of election as in other cases of vacancy. If the house finds a tie vote has occurred, it shall direct a determination by lot in accordance with § 24.2-674 , but no right to a recount shall be permitted. If the house finds, by a two-thirds vote of the house that the contestant has prosecuted the election contest in bad faith, the house may order the contestant to pay to the contestee a sum, in addition to the amount of the bond posted pursuant to subsection B, that is not more than the contestee's additional actual costs of defending against the contest, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees, expert witnesses' fees, and such costs as would be taxable in an action at law. A determination to assess costs against a contestant in excess of the amount of the bond posted pursuant to subsection B shall be made only upon the recommendation of the Committee on Privileges and Elections, or other committee designated in the rules of the house to hear the contest, adopted by the committee by a two-thirds or greater vote of the committee.

1981, c. 570, § 24.1-236.1; 1993, c. 641; 1998, c. 866 ; 2000, c. 1057 ; 2006, c. 292 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-421 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-421
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 1997, cc. 523 and 539 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-469 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4.1 / Section 24.2-469
Uniformity of application and constructions
Status: in_force

In applying and construing this uniform act, consideration shall be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact it.

2012, c. 353 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-536 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 5 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-536
Procedure when a vacancy in office occurs less than 75 days before primary date
Status: in_force

Whenever, by reason of the death, resignation, or removal of the incumbent, a vacancy in any office occurs less than 75 but more than 45 days before the regular date for the holding of a primary, the properly constituted party authorities may permit the filing of declarations and petitions of candidacy for nomination for that office in the primary. Notice of the vacancy and the right to file declarations and petitions of candidacy for nomination to fill it shall be advertised by the party committee or committees in at least one newspaper of general circulation within the Commonwealth if it is an office filled by election by the people at large, and in the manner prescribed by the properly constituted party authorities in the case of all other offices. No declaration and petitions of candidacy shall be filed with the committee or committees until such advertisement is made, nor within 35 days prior to the date for holding the primary. Declarations and petitions of candidacy filed pursuant to this section shall comply in every respect, except for the time of filing, with the requirements established generally for such declarations and petitions in this article.

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 shall either:

1. Cause to be printed on the ballot the name of each person so certified; or

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

In the event that only one person qualifies as a candidate under 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 under the provisions of this section, or that the vacancy occurs less than 45 days before the primary, the appropriate committee of the political party shall determine the time and method of nominating its candidate for the office.

Code 1950, § 24-362; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-194; 1993, c. 641; 2010, cc. 449 , 645 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-639 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-639
Duties of officers of election
Status: in_force

The officers of election of each precinct at which voting systems are used shall meet at the polling place by 5:15 a.m. on the day of the election and arrange the equipment, furniture, and other materials for the conduct of the election. The officers of election shall verify that all required equipment, ballots, and other materials have been delivered to them for the election. The officers shall post at least two instruction cards for direct recording electronic machines conspicuously within the polling place.

The keys to the equipment and any electronic activation devices that are required for the operation of electronic voting equipment shall be delivered, prior to the opening of the polls, to the officer of election designated by the electoral board or general registrar in a sealed envelope on which has been written or printed the name of the precinct for which it is intended. The envelope containing the keys and any electronic activation devices shall not be opened until all of the officers of election for the precinct are present at the polling place and have examined the envelope to see that it has not been opened. The equipment shall remain locked against voting until the polls are formally opened and shall not be operated except by voters in voting.

Before opening the polls, each officer shall examine the equipment and see that no vote has been cast and that the counters register zero. The officers shall conduct their examination in the presence of the following party and candidate representatives: 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, if such representatives are available. Each authorized representative shall be a qualified voter of any jurisdiction of the Commonwealth. Each representative, who is not himself a candidate or party chairman, shall present to the officers of election a written statement designating him to be a representative of the party or candidate and 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.

If any counter, other than a protective or private counter, on a ballot scanner is found not to register zero, the officers of election shall immediately notify the general registrar, who shall, if possible, substitute a machine in good working order, that has been prepared and tested pursuant to § 24.2-634 . No ballot scanner shall be used if any counter, other than a protective or private counter, is found not to register zero.

Code 1950, § 24-306; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-216; 1972, c. 620; 1985, c. 458; 1993, c. 641; 1998, c. 264 ; 2003, c. 1015 ; 2004, cc. 993 , 1010 ; 2010, c. 448 ; 2014, cc. 540 , 576 ; 2015, c. 133 ; 2016, cc. 18 , 464 , 492 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-470 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4.1 / Section 24.2-470
Relation to Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act
Status: in_force

This chapter modifies, limits, and supersedes the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, 15 U.S.C. § 7001 et seq., but does not modify, limit, or supersede § 101(c) of that act, 15 U.S.C. § 7001(c), or authorize electronic delivery of any of the notices described in § 103(b) of that act, 15 U.S.C. § 7003 (b).

2012, c. 353 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-659 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-659
Locking voting systems after election and delivering keys to clerk; printed returns as evidence
Status: in_force

A. If the voting system is secured by the use of equipment keys, after the officers of election lock and seal each machine, the equipment keys shall be enclosed in an envelope that shall be sealed and have endorsed thereon a certificate of an officer of election stating the election precinct, the number of each machine, the number on the seal, and the number of the protective counter, if one, on the machine. The sealed envelope shall be delivered by one of the officers of the election to the clerk of the circuit court where the election was held. The custodians of the voting equipment shall enclose and seal in an envelope, properly endorsed, all other keys to all voting equipment in their jurisdictions and deliver the envelope to the clerk of the circuit court by noon on the day following the election.

B. If the voting systems are secured by the use of equipment keys or electronic activation devices that are not specific to a particular machine, after the officers of election lock and seal each machine, the equipment keys and electronic activation devices shall be enclosed in an envelope that shall be sealed and have endorsed thereon a certificate of an officer of election stating the election precinct. The sealed envelope shall be delivered by one of the officers of election to the clerk of the circuit court where the election was held.

C. If the voting system is secured by removal of the data storage device used in that election, the officers shall remove the data storage device and proceed to lock and seal each machine. The data storage device shall be enclosed in an envelope that shall be sealed and have endorsed thereon a certificate of an officer of election stating the election precinct, the number of each machine, the number on the seal, and the number of the protective counter, if one, on the machine. The sealed envelope shall be delivered by one of the officers of election to the clerk of the circuit court where the election was held. The equipment keys used at the polls shall be sealed in a different envelope and delivered to the clerk who shall release them to the general registrar upon request or at the expiration of the time specified by subsection F.

D. If the voting system provides for the creation of a separate master electronic back-up on a data storage device that combines the data for all of the voting systems in a given precinct, that data storage device shall be enclosed in an envelope that shall be sealed and have endorsed thereon a certificate of an officer of election stating the name of the precinct. The sealed envelope shall be delivered by one of the officers of election to the clerk of the circuit court where the election was held. The data storage device for the individual machines may remain sealed in its individual machine until the expiration of the time specified by subsection F. The equipment keys and the electronic activation devices used at the polls shall be sealed together in a separate envelope and delivered to the clerk who shall release them to the general registrar upon request or at the expiration of the time specified by subsection F.

E. If the voting system is secured by removal of the data storage device used in that election, and the only record of votes cast for any office or on any question is saved on that data storage device and not on the machine itself, the officers shall remove the data storage device and proceed to lock and seal each machine. Each such machine shall remain locked and sealed until it is returned to the site at which voting systems are stored in the locality. The data storage device shall be enclosed in an envelope that shall be sealed and have endorsed thereon a certificate of an officer of election stating the election precinct, the number of each machine, the number on the seal, and the number of the protective counter, if one, on the machine. The sealed envelope shall be delivered by one of the officers of election to the clerk of the circuit court where the election was held. The equipment keys used at the polls shall be sealed in a different envelope and delivered to the general registrar no later than noon on the day after the election.

F. The voting systems described in subsections A, B, C, and D shall remain locked and sealed until the deadline to request a recount under Chapter 8 (§ 24.2-800 et seq.) has passed and, if any contest or recount is pending thereafter, until it has been concluded. Such machines and any envelope containing data storage devices shall be opened and all data examined only (i) on the order of a court of competent jurisdiction or (ii) on the request of an authorized representative of the State Board, or the electoral board or general registrar at the direction of the State Board, in order to ensure the accuracy of the returns. In the event that machines and data storage devices are examined under clause (ii), each political party and each independent candidate on the ballot, or each primary candidate, shall be entitled to have a representative present during such examination. The representatives and observers lawfully present shall be prohibited from interfering with the officers of election in any way. The State Board, local electoral board, or general registrar shall provide such parties and candidates reasonable advance notice of the examination.

When the required time has expired, the clerk of the circuit court shall return all voting equipment keys and data storage devices to the general registrar.

G. The local electoral board or general registrar may direct the officers of election and custodians that any sealed equipment keys or data storage devices that are otherwise required by the provisions of this section to be delivered to the clerk of the circuit court shall instead be delivered to the principal office of the general registrar no later than noon on the day following the election. The general registrar shall secure and retain the sealed equipment keys and any other electronic locking or activation devices in his office and shall convey them to the clerk of the court by noon on the day following the ascertainment of the results of the election by the electoral board.

H. The provisions of this section requiring the locking and sealing of voting systems shall not apply to any ballot marking device and its data storage device provided pursuant to § 24.2-626.1 , where the number of persons voting in the election or the number of votes cast for any office or on any question are not recorded by the ballot marking device.

Code 1950, § 24-314; 1962, c. 230; 1966, c. 453; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-224; 1974, c. 428; 1978, c. 778; 1985, c. 458; 1993, c. 641; 1995, c. 197 ; 2003, c. 1015 ; 2004, cc. 835 , 993 , 1010 ; 2006, c. 689 ; 2008, cc. 107 , 385 ; 2014, cc. 540 , 576 ; 2016, cc. 18 , 218 , 464 , 489 , 492 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-440 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 7 / Section 24.2-440
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 2012, c. 353 , cl. 2.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-652 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-652
Voter whose name erroneously omitted from pollbook; provisional ballots
Status: in_force

A. When a person offers to vote and his name does not appear on the pollbook, the officers of election shall permit him to vote only if all of the following conditions are met:

1. An officer of election is informed by the general registrar that the voter is registered to vote, that his registration has not been cancelled, and that his name is erroneously omitted from the pollbook.

2. The voter signs a statement, subject to felony penalties for false statements pursuant to § 24.2-1016 , that he is a qualified and registered voter of that precinct, a resident of that precinct, and his registration is not subject to cancellation pursuant to § 24.2-431 , and he provides, subject to such penalties, all the information required to identify himself including the last four digits of his social security number, if any, full name including the maiden or any other prior legal name, birthdate, and complete address.

3. The officer of election enters the identifying information for the voter on the pollbook.

When the voter has signed the statement and is permitted to vote, the officers of election shall mark his name on the pollbook with the next consecutive number from the voter count form, or shall enter that the voter has voted if the pollbook is in electronic form, and shall indicate on the pollbook that he has signed the required statement in accordance with the instructions of the State Board.

B. If the general registrar is not available or cannot state that the person is registered to vote, such person shall be allowed to vote by provisional ballot pursuant to § 24.2-653 . The officers of election shall provide to him an application for registration. The State Board of Elections shall provide instructions to the electoral boards for the handling and counting of such provisional ballots.

Code 1950, § 24-95; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-55; 1974, c. 428; 1975, c. 515; 1981, c. 425; 1984, c. 480; 1993, c. 641; 2003, c. 1015 ; 2011, c. 602 ; 2020, c. 735 ; 2026, c. 1064 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-625 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-625
Application of Title 24.2 and general law
Status: in_force

All of the provisions of this title and general law not inconsistent with the provisions of this article shall apply to elections in counties, cities, and towns adopting and using electronic voting or counting machines.

Code 1950, § 24-315; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-225; 1985, c. 458; 1993, c. 641; 2014, cc. 540 , 576 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-539 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 5 / Article 5 / Section 24.2-539
Party may nominate when nominee dies, withdraws, or nomination is set aside; duty of party chairman
Status: in_force

Should the nominee of any party die, withdraw, or have his nomination set aside for any reason, the party may nominate to fill the vacancy in accordance with its own rules. A candidate who has been disqualified for failing to meet the filing requirements of Article 1 (§ 24.2-500 et seq.) of this chapter shall not be renominated. No party shall renominate any person whose nomination has been set aside for fraud knowingly participated in by the candidate. The party chairman or chairmen shall promptly certify the name of any such nominee to the appropriate electoral boards and the nominee shall promptly comply with the filing requirements of Article 1 of this chapter.

Code 1950, §§ 24-234, 24-235, 24-365; 1952, c. 4; 1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-110, 24.1-197; 1976, c. 616; 1980, c. 639; 1984, c. 480; 1990, c. 476; 1992, c. 828; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-517 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 5 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-517
State Board to order election
Status: in_force

The State Board shall order the holding of a primary election in any county, city, or other district of the Commonwealth in which it is notified pursuant to § 24.2-516 that a primary is intended to be held. The notice ordering the primary shall be sent to the secretary of the electoral board. Within five days of the issuance of the order by the State Board, each secretary shall post a copy of the notice on the official website of the county or city, post copies of the notice at not less than 10 public places in the county or city, or have notice of the election published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or city.

Code 1950, § 24-352; 1952, c. 212; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-177; 1972, c. 620; 1993, c. 641; 2012, cc. 328 , 486 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-671 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-671
Electoral board to meet and ascertain results; conclusiveness of results
Status: in_force

A. Each electoral board shall meet at the clerk's or general registrar's office of the county or city for which they are appointed at or before 5:00 p.m. on the day after any election. The board may adjourn to another room of sufficient size in a public building to ascertain the results, and may adjourn as needed, not to exceed 10 calendar days from the date of the election unless an extension has been granted to accommodate a risk-limiting audit conducted pursuant to § 24.2-671.2 . Written directions to the location of any room other than the clerk's or general registrar's office where the board will meet shall be posted at the doors of the clerk's and general registrar's offices prior to the beginning of the meeting.

If the electoral board has exercised the option provided by § 24.2-668 for delivery of the election materials to the office of the general registrar on the night of the election, the electoral board shall meet at the office of the general registrar at or before 5:00 p.m. on the day after any election.

B. The board shall open the returns delivered by the officers and shall ascertain from such returns the total votes in the county or city, or town in a town election, for each candidate and for and against each question. The board shall complete the abstract of votes cast at such election, as provided for in § 24.2-675 . For any office in which no person was elected by write-in votes, and for which the total number of write-in votes for that office is less than (i) 10 percent of the total number of votes cast for that office and (ii) the total number of votes cast for the candidate receiving the most votes, the electoral board shall ascertain the total votes for each write-in candidate for the office within one week following the election. For offices for which the electoral board issues the certificate of election, the result so ascertained, signed and attested, shall be conclusive and shall not thereafter be subject to challenge except as specifically provided in Chapter 8 (§ 24.2-800 et seq.).

Once the result is so ascertained, the secretary of the electoral board shall deliver one copy of each statement of results to the general registrar to be available for inspection when his office is open for business. The secretary shall then return all pollbooks, any printed inspection and return sheets, and one copy of each statement of results to the clerk.

C. A report of any changes made by the local electoral board to the unofficial results ascertained by the officers of election or any subsequent change to the official abstract of votes made by the local electoral board shall be forwarded to the State Board of Elections and the explanation of such change shall be posted on the State Board website.

D. Each political party and each independent candidate on the ballot, or each primary candidate, shall be entitled to have representatives present when the local electoral board meets to ascertain the results of the election. Each such party and candidate shall be entitled to have at least as many representatives present as there are teams of officials working to ascertain the results, and the room in which the local electoral board meets shall be of sufficient size and configuration to allow the representatives reasonable access and proximity to view the ballots as the teams of officials work to ascertain the results. The representatives and observers lawfully present shall be prohibited from interfering with the officials in any way.

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 while the electoral board meets to ascertain the results of an election, unless such person is (a) any law-enforcement officer or any 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 a polling 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 while the electoral board meets to ascertain the results of an election.

F. If any local electoral board fails or refuses to perform any duty required by subsection A or B, the State Board shall be authorized to intervene and carry out such duties in accordance with law.

Code 1950, §§ 24-271, 24-272; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-146; 1973, c. 30; 1981, c. 425; 1991, c. 388; 1992, c. 329; 1993, c. 641; 1996, cc. 8 , 223 ; 2003, c. 1015 ; 2005, c. 824 ; 2006, c. 689 ; 2014, c. 486 ; 2018, c. 536 ; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 459 ; 2022, cc. 443 , 444 ; 2024, c. 738 ; 2026, cc. 60 , 1078 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-228.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 2 / Article 6 / Section 24.2-228.1
Election to fill vacancy in constitutional office
Status: in_force

A. Notwithstanding any provision of a charter to the contrary, a vacancy in any elected constitutional office, whether occurring when for any reason an officer-elect does not take office or occurring after an officer begins his term, shall be filled by special election, except as provided in subsection B. Within 15 days of the occurrence of the vacancy, the governing body of the county or city in which the vacancy occurs shall petition the circuit court to issue a writ of election to fill the vacancy as set forth in Article 5 (§ 24.2-681 et seq.) of Chapter 6. Either upon receipt of the petition or on its own motion, the court shall promptly issue the writ ordering the election for a date determined pursuant to § 24.2-682 . However, the governing body may request in its petition that the special election be held on the date of the next general election in November, and the court may order the special election to be held on that date.

B. If a vacancy in any elected constitutional office occurs within the 12 months immediately preceding the end of the term of that office, the governing body may petition the circuit court to request that no special election be ordered. Upon receipt of such petition, the court shall grant such request. The highest ranking deputy officer, or in the case of the office of attorney for the Commonwealth, the highest ranking full-time assistant attorney for the Commonwealth, who is qualified to vote for and hold that office, shall be vested with the powers and shall perform all of the duties of the office, and shall be entitled to all the privileges and protections afforded by law to elected or appointed constitutional officers, for the remainder of the unexpired term.

C. Upon receipt of written notification by an officer or officer-elect of his resignation as of a stated date, the governing body may immediately petition the circuit court to issue a writ of election, and the court may immediately issue the writ to call the election. The officer's or officer-elect's resignation shall not be revocable after the date stated by him for his resignation or after the thirtieth day before the date set for the special election.

D. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, a vacancy in any elected constitutional office in any county or city with a population of 15,000 or less, or shared by two or more units of government with a combined population of 15,000 or less, shall be filled by a special election ordered by the court to be held at the next ensuing general election to be held in November. If the vacancy occurs within 90 days prior to that election, however, the writ shall order the election to be held at the second ensuing such general election.

E. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no election to fill a vacancy shall be ordered or held if the general election at which it is to be called is scheduled within 60 days of the end of the term of the office to be filled.

F. Notwithstanding any provision of a charter to the contrary, the highest ranking deputy officer, or in the case of the office of attorney for the Commonwealth, the highest ranking full-time assistant attorney for the Commonwealth, if there is such a deputy or assistant in the office, who is qualified to vote for and hold that office, shall be vested with the powers and shall perform all of the duties of the office, and shall be entitled to all the privileges and protections afforded by law to elected or appointed constitutional officers, until the qualified voters fill the vacancy by election and the person so elected has qualified and taken the oath of office. In the event that (i) there is no deputy officer or full-time assistant attorney for the Commonwealth in the office or (ii) the highest-ranking deputy officer or assistant attorney for the Commonwealth declines to serve, the court shall make an interim appointment to fill the vacancy pursuant to § 24.2-227 until the qualified voters fill the vacancy by election and the person so elected has qualified and taken the oath of office.

G. The absence from the county or city of a constitutional officer by reason of his service in the Armed Forces of the United States shall not be deemed to create a vacancy in the office without a written notification by the officer of his resignation from the office. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including § 19.2-156 , the power to relieve a constitutional officer of the duties or powers of his office or position during the period of such absence shall remain the sole prerogative of the constitutional officer unless expressly waived by him in writing.

2000, cc. 787 , 1070 ; 2003, c. 1015 ; 2006, cc. 120 , 253 ; 2009, c. 157 ; 2011, c. 599 ; 2015, c. 648 ; 2016, cc. 453 , 511 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-680 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-680
(Effective until January 1, 2027) Certificates of election
Status: in_force

Subject to the requirements of § 24.2-948.2 , the State Board shall without delay complete and transmit to each of the persons declared to be elected a certificate of his election, certified by it under its seal of office. In the election of a member of the United States Congress, it shall also forward a certificate of election to the clerk of the United States Senate or House of Representatives, as appropriate. The names of members elected to the General Assembly shall be certified by the State Board to the clerk of the House of Delegates or Senate, as appropriate. The names of the persons elected Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General shall be certified by the State Board to the clerks of the House of Delegates and Senate. The name of any officer shared by more than one county or city, or any combination thereof, shall be certified by the State Board to the clerk of the circuit court having jurisdiction in each affected county or city. The names of the persons elected to soil and water conservation districts shall be certified by the State Board to the Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Code 1950, §§ 24-287, 24-289; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-155; 1974, c. 428; 1980, c. 639; 1983, c. 461; 1993, c. 641; 2001, c. 53 ; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-945.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 1 / Section 24.2-945.1
Definitions
Status: in_force

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

"Authorization" means express approval or express consent by the candidate, the candidate's campaign committee, or an agent of the candidate or his campaign committee after coordination.

"Campaign committee" means the committee designated by a candidate to receive all contributions and make all expenditures for him or on his behalf in connection with his nomination or election.

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

"Contribution" means money and services of any amount, in-kind contributions, and any other thing of value, given, advanced, loaned, or in any other way provided to a candidate, campaign committee, political committee, or person for the purpose of expressly advocating the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate or to an inaugural committee for the purpose of defraying the costs of the inauguration of a Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or Attorney General. "Contribution" includes money, services, or things of value in any way provided by a candidate to his own campaign and the payment by the candidate of a filing fee for any party nomination method.

"Coordinated" or "coordination" refers to 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.

"Designated contribution" means a contribution that is designated specifically and in writing for a particular candidate or candidates and that is made using a political committee solely as a conduit.

"Expenditure" means money and services of any amount, and any other thing of value, paid, loaned, provided, or in any other way disbursed by any candidate, campaign committee, political committee, or person for the purpose of expressly advocating the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate or by any inaugural committee for the purpose of defraying the costs of the inauguration of a Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or Attorney General.

"Federal political action committee" means any political action committee registered with the Federal Election Commission that makes contributions to candidates or political committees registered in Virginia.

"Inaugural committee" means any organization, person, or group of persons that anticipates receiving contributions or making expenditures, from other than publicly appropriated funds, for the inauguration of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or Attorney General and related activities.

"Independent expenditure" means an expenditure made by any person, candidate campaign committee, or political committee that is not made to, controlled by, coordinated with, or made with the authorization of a candidate, his campaign committee, or an agent of the candidate or his campaign committee. "Independent expenditure" includes an expenditure made by a candidate campaign committee (i) that is not related to the candidate's own campaign and (ii) that is not made to, controlled by, coordinated with, or made with the authorization of a different candidate, his campaign committee, or an agent of that candidate or his campaign committee.

"In-kind contribution" means the donation of goods, services, property, or other thing of value, other than money, including an expenditure controlled by, coordinated with, or made upon the authorization of a candidate, his campaign committee, or an agent of the candidate or his campaign committee, that is provided for free or less than the usual and normal charge. The basis for arriving at the dollar value of an in-kind contribution is as follows: new items are valued at retail value; used items are valued at fair market value; and services rendered are valued at the actual cost of service per hour. Services shall not be deemed to include personal services voluntarily rendered for which no compensation is asked or given.

"Out-of-state political committee" means an entity covered by § 527 of the United States Internal Revenue Code that is not registered as a political committee or candidate campaign committee in Virginia and that does not have as its primary purpose expressly advocating the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate. The term shall not include a federal political action committee.

"Person" means any individual or corporation, partnership, business, labor organization, membership organization, association, cooperative, or other like entity.

"Political action committee" means any organization, person, or group of persons, established or maintained to receive and expend contributions for the primary purpose of expressly advocating the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate. The term shall not include a campaign committee, federal political action committee, out-of-state political committee, political party committee, referendum committee, or inaugural committee.

"Political committee" means and includes any political action committee, political party committee, referendum committee, or inaugural committee. The term shall not include: (i) a federal political action committee or out-of-state political committee; (ii) a campaign committee; (iii) a political party committee exempted pursuant to § 24.2-950.1 ; or (iv) a person who receives no contributions from any source and whose only expenditures are made solely from his own funds and are either contributions made by him which are reportable by the recipient pursuant to this chapter or independent expenditures which are reportable by him to the extent required by § 24.2-945.2 , or a combination of such reportable contributions and independent expenditures.

"Political party committee" means any state political party committee, congressional district political party committee, county or city political party committee, other election district political party committee, or organized political party group of elected officials. This definition is subject to the provisions of § 24.2-950.1 .

"Primary purpose" means that 50% or more of the committee's expenditures made in the form of contributions shall be made to candidate campaign committees or political committees registered in Virginia. Administrative expenditures and the transfer of funds between affiliated or connected organizations shall not be considered in determining the committee's primary purpose. The primary purpose of the committee shall not be determined on the basis of only one report or election cycle, but over the entirety of the committee's registration.

"Referendum committee" means any organization, person, group of persons, or committee, that makes expenditures in a calendar year in excess of (i) $10,000 to advocate the passage or defeat of a statewide referendum, (ii) $5,000 to advocate the passage or defeat of a referendum being held in two or more counties and cities, or (iii) $1,000 to advocate the passage or defeat of a referendum held in a single county or city.

"Residence" means "residence" or "resident" as defined in § 24.2-101 .

"Statewide office" means the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or Attorney General.

B. For the purpose of applying the filing and reporting requirements of this chapter, the terms "person" and "political committee," shall not include an organization holding tax-exempt status under § 501(c) (3), 501(c) (4), or 501(c) (6) of the United States Internal Revenue Code which, in providing information to voters, does not advocate or endorse the election or defeat of a particular candidate, group of candidates, or the candidates of a particular political party.

1970, c. 462, § 24.1-255; 1975, c. 515, § 24.1-254.1; 1981, c. 425, § 24.1-254.2; 1983, c. 119; 1988, c. 616; 1991, cc. 9, 474, 709, § 24.1-254.3; 1993, cc. 641, 776, 921, §§ 24.2-901, 24.2-902; 1994, c. 510 ; 1996, cc. 405 , 1042 ; 2004, c. 457 ; 2006, cc. 771 , 772 , 787 , 805 , 892 , 938 ; 2007, cc. 246 , 831 ; 2008, cc. 152 , 289 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-619 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 2 / Section 24.2-619
Sealing ballots
Status: in_force

A member of the electoral board or the general registrar, or some other person designated by the electoral board or the general registrar, shall cause the seal of the board to be affixed in his presence to every ballot printed as provided in this chapter. The seal shall be on the side reverse from that on which the names of the candidates appear. The seal may be affixed on the ballot either mechanically or manually. The member of the board, general registrar, or other person designated shall sign a statement, subject to felony penalties for making false statements pursuant to § 24.2-1016 , that the seal of the electoral board was affixed to the ballots in his presence in the manner prescribed by law, setting forth the name of every person taking part in the affixing of the seal, and stating that he has faithfully performed his duties. His statement shall be filed with the minutes of the board. For his services in causing the seal to be affixed to the ballots, the person designated, other than a board member or general registrar, shall receive at least $20 per day.

Any person designated to affix the seal to the ballots shall return the seal to the secretary as soon as the affixing of the seal to the ballots is completed.

Every person taking part in affixing the seal to the ballots or in placing the ballots in packages shall give his statement, subject to felony penalties for making false statements pursuant to § 24.2-1016 , that he has faithfully performed his duties and that he will not divulge to anyone the contents of the ballots or any part thereof. These statements shall be filed with the minutes of the board.

Code 1950, §§ 24-225, 24-228, 24-229; 1950, p. 165; 1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-117, 24.1-118; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 119; 1980, c. 639; 1993, c. 641; 2016, cc. 18 , 492 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-422 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-422
Appeal of person denied registration
Status: in_force

A. Within five days after the denial of an application to register, the general registrar shall notify the applicant of the denial. Notice shall be given in writing and by email or telephone if such information was provided by the applicant.

The general registrar shall send a new application for registration to the applicant with the form prescribed in subsection B. If the applicant provided his email address on the application for registration, the general registrar may send information to that email address regarding online voter registration. The general registrar shall advise the applicant that he may complete and submit the new application, in lieu of filing an appeal, if the reason stated for denial is that the applicant has failed to sign the application or failed to provide a required item of information on the application. If the general registrar is able to reach the applicant by telephone, corrections may be made by the applicant by telephone. Any applicant who returns a second application and whose second application is denied shall have the right to appeal provided in subsection B.

B. A person denied registration shall have the right to appeal, without payment of writ tax or giving security for costs, to the circuit court of the county or city in which he offers to register by filing with the clerk of the court, within 10 days of being notified of the denial, a petition in writing to have his right to register determined.

The petitioner may file his petition by completing and filing a form which shall be prescribed by the State Board and which shall be used by the general registrar to notify an applicant of the denial of his application to register and of the reasons for the denial. The form shall (i) state that an applicant denied registration has the right to appeal to the circuit court of the county or city in which he offers to register, (ii) give the name and address of the clerk of the circuit court for such county or city (to be supplied by the general registrar), (iii) state that a filing fee of $10 must be paid when filing the petition, (iv) contain a statement by which the applicant may indicate his desire to petition the court to have his right to register determined, and (v) provide space for the applicant to state the facts in support of his right to register.

On the filing of a petition to have the right to register determined, the clerk of the court shall immediately bring the matter to the attention of the chief judge of the court for the scheduling of a hearing on the petition. The matter shall be heard and determined on the face of the petition, the answer made in writing by the general registrar, and any evidence introduced as part of the proceedings. The proceedings shall take precedence over all other business of the court and shall be heard as soon as possible.

On the filing of the petition, the clerk of the court shall immediately give notice to the attorney for the Commonwealth for his county or city, who shall appear and defend against the petition on behalf of the Commonwealth.

Judgment in favor of the petitioner shall entitle him to registration. From a judgment rendered against the petitioner, an appeal shall lie to the Court of Appeals.

C. The provisions of § 24.2-416 , pertaining to the closing of registration records in advance of an election, shall apply to any application submitted pursuant to subsection A or B following a denial of registration.

Code 1950, § 24-112; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-67; 1974, c. 428; 1985, c. 351; 1993, c. 641; 1997, c. 114 ; 2001, c. 627 ; 2019, c. 341 ; 2020, c. 857 ; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 489 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-125 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 1.1 / Section 24.2-125
Short title; definitions
Status: in_force

A. This chapter may be cited as the "Voting Rights Act of Virginia."

B. For purposes of this chapter,

"Protected class" means a group of citizens protected from discrimination based on race or color or membership in a language minority group.

"Racially polarized voting" means the extent to which the candidate preferences of members of a protected class and other voters in the jurisdiction have diverged in elections for the office at issue and other offices in which the voters have been presented with a choice between candidates who are members of the protected class and candidates who are not members of the protected class.

2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 528 , 533 ; 2026, c. 717 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-229 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 2 / Article 6 / Section 24.2-229
Appointees to qualify and give bond in thirty days
Status: in_force

All officers appointed to fill vacancies shall qualify and give bond, if bond is required, within thirty days after their appointment in like manner as provided in §§ 15.2-1522 and 15.2-1523 for the qualification of such officers when elected by the people.

Code 1950, § 24-146; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-77; 1975, c. 515; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-949.2 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-949.2
Statement of organization for a political action committee
Status: in_force

A. Except as provided in subsection B or C, each political action 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 chapter. 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 action committee and its address in the Commonwealth;

2. The names, addresses, and relationships of affiliated or connected organizations;

3. The area, scope, or jurisdiction of the political action committee accompanied by the statement that the primary purpose of the committee is to advocate the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate;

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

5. The name, residence address 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 in the Commonwealth where the books are maintained;

6. The name, address, office sought, and party affiliation of each individual whom the political action 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;

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

8. 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.

The State Board shall not register or issue a registration number to any political action committee that fails to state pursuant to subdivision 3 that its primary purpose is to influence the outcome of nonfederal elections in Virginia.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, a political action committee that is established or controlled by a corporation doing business in Virginia shall provide the following information in its statement of organization in lieu of the information required in subdivisions 1, 4, 5, and 7 of subsection A:

1. The name and address of the political action committee;

2. The name and residence and business addresses of the treasurer;

3. The name, residence address, and position of the custodian of the books who works under the direction of the treasurer; and

4. A listing of all banks, safe-deposit boxes, or other repositories used.

C. A federal political action committee that makes expenditures for the purpose of influencing the outcome of any election in Virginia, other than federal elections, shall provide the following information in its statement of organization:

1. The name and address of the committee;

2. The committee's Federal Election Commission registration identification number; and

3. The name and address of its treasurer.

The State Board shall be required to provide a link from its Internet website to the federal political action committee's electronically displayed Federal Election Commission campaign finance disclosure reports.

1975, c. 515, § 24.1-254.1; 1983, c. 119; 1991, cc. 9, 709; 1993, c. 641, § 24.2-908; 1996, c. 1042 ; 2000, cc. 852 , 872 ; 2004, cc. 441 , 457 ; 2006, cc. 771 , 787 , 805 , 892 ; 2007, c. 246 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-1016 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 10 / Section 24.2-1016
False statements; penalties
Status: in_force

Any willfully false material statement or entry made by any person in any statement, form, or report required by this title shall constitute the crime of election fraud and be punishable as a Class 5 felony. Any preprinted statement, form, or report shall include a statement of such unlawful conduct and the penalty provided in this section.

Code 1950, § 24-68; 1952, c. 341; 1958, c. 576; 1960, c. 288; 1962, c. 536; 1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-48, 24.1-279; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 205; 1972, c. 620; 1974, c. 428; 1975, c. 515; 1977, c. 490; 1978, c. 778; 1980, c. 639; 1989, c. 138; 1992, c. 433; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-227 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 2 / Article 6 / Section 24.2-227
Interim appointment by court until vacancy filled by election for certain offices
Status: in_force

When a vacancy occurs in any local elected office other than a constitutional office, local governing body, or an elected school board, a majority of the judges of the judicial circuit for the county or city in which it occurs shall make an interim appointment to the office until the vacancy can be filled by special election. The senior judge shall make the appointment if a majority of the judges cannot agree. The chief or senior deputy, if there is one in the office, shall perform all the duties of the office until the person appointed to fill the vacancy has qualified. The person so appointed shall hold office until the qualified voters fill the vacancy by election and the person so elected has qualified.

Code 1950, § 24-145; 1958, c. 621; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-76; 1975, c. 515; 1976, c. 616; 1977, c. 490; 1984, c. 480; 1993, c. 641; 1996, c. 873 ; 2000, cc. 787 , 1070 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-106.01 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 1 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-106.01
Description of duties and responsibilities; required affirmation
Status: in_force

A. The State Board, with the cooperation of the local electoral boards and general registrars, shall develop a description of the duties and responsibilities of the local electoral boards and update such description as needed. Such description shall include the statutory and regulatory duties and responsibilities of the electoral boards, prohibited activities of the electoral boards and members of electoral boards, and the qualifications and disqualifications of members of electoral boards.

B. The Department shall provide to the clerks of the circuit courts, the chairmen of the state and district political party committees, the general registrars, and the local electoral boards the description developed pursuant to subsection A. Such description shall be provided no later than the first day of December each year.

C. Each person nominated for appointment to a local electoral board shall certify that he has read the description developed pursuant to this section and affirm prior to his appointment pursuant to § 24.2-106 that he will faithfully discharge all duties and responsibilities set forth in that description.

2017, c. 271 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-418 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-418
(For contingent effective date, see Acts 2026, cc. 992 and 1081, cl. 3) Application for registration
Status: in_force

A. Each applicant to register shall provide, subject to felony penalties for making false statements pursuant to § 24.2-1016 , the information necessary to complete the application to register. Unless physically disabled, he shall sign the application. The application to register shall be only on a form or forms prescribed by the State Board.

The form of the application to register shall require the applicant to provide the following information: full name; gender; date of birth; social security number, if any; whether the applicant is presently a United States citizen; address of residence in the precinct; place of last previous registration to vote; whether the applicant has ever been adjudicated to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting, and if so, whether the applicant's capacity has been reestablished; and whether the applicant is serving a sentence of incarceration for a felony conviction at the time the application is completed. The form shall contain a statement that whoever votes more than once in any election in the same or different jurisdictions is guilty of a Class 6 felony. Unless directed by the applicant or as permitted in § 24.2-411.2 or 24.2-411.3 , the registration application shall not be pre-populated with information the applicant is required to provide.

The form of the application to register shall request that the applicant provide his telephone number and email address, but no application shall be denied for failure to provide such information.

B. The form shall permit any individual, as follows, or member of his household, to furnish, in addition to his residence street address, a post office box address located within the Commonwealth to be included in lieu of his street address on the lists of registered voters and persons who voted, which are furnished pursuant to §§ 24.2-405 and 24.2-406 , on voter registration records made available for public inspection pursuant to § 24.2-444 , or on lists of absentee voter applicants furnished pursuant to § 24.2-706 or 24.2-710 . The voter shall comply with the provisions of § 24.2-424 for any change in the post office box address provided under this subsection.

1. Any active or retired law-enforcement officer, as defined in § 9.1-101 and in 5 U.S.C. § 8331(20), but excluding officers whose duties relate to detention as defined in 5 U.S.C. § 8331(20);

2. Any person granted a protective order issued by or under the authority of any court of competent jurisdiction, including but not limited to courts of the Commonwealth of Virginia;

3. Any person who has furnished a signed written statement by the person that he is in fear for his personal safety from another person who has threatened or stalked him;

4. Any person participating in the address confidentiality program pursuant to § 2.2-515.2 ;

5. Any active or retired federal or Virginia justice, judge, or magistrate and any active or retired attorney employed by the United States Attorney General or Virginia Attorney General;

6. Any person who has been approved to be a foster parent pursuant to Chapter 9 (§ 63.2-900 et seq.) of Title 63.2;

7. Any person who is or has been one of the Commonwealth's electors for President and Vice President of the United States;

8. Any person who is or has been a member of the State Board of Elections, the Commissioner of Elections, an employee of the Department of Elections, a member of a local electoral board pursuant to § 24.2-106 , a general registrar pursuant to § 24.2-110 , a deputy registrar or employee in the office of the general registrar pursuant to § 24.2-112 , or an officer of election pursuant to § 24.2-115 ; and

9. Any person who is or has been an elected official.

C. If the applicant formerly resided in another state, the general registrar shall send the information contained in the applicant's registration application to the appropriate voter registration official or other authority of another state where the applicant formerly resided, as prescribed in subdivision 15 of § 24.2-114 .

Code 1950, §§ 24-28, 24-68; 1952, c. 341; 1958, c. 576; 1960, c. 288; 1962, c. 536; 1968, c. 97; 1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-22, 24.1-48; 1971, Ex. Sess., cc. 205, 247; 1972, c. 620; 1974, c. 428; 1975, c. 515; 1977, c. 490; 1980, c. 639; 1989, c. 138; 1992, c. 433; 1993, c. 641; 1994, c. 250 ; 1995, c. 314 ; 1996, c. 251 ; 1997, cc. 346 , 801 ; 2001, cc. 612 , 626 ; 2004, c. 184 ; 2009, cc. 318 , 865 , 870 , 874 ; 2010, cc. 795 , 812 ; 2012, c. 491 ; 2013, c. 465 ; 2015, c. 740 ; 2016, cc. 630 , 633 ; 2019, c. 342 ; 2020, cc. 710 , 857 , 908 , 909 ; 2023, cc. 801 , 802 ; 2024, cc. 309 , 787 ; 2026, cc. 228 , 229 , 992 , 1081 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-634 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-634
Locking and securing after preparation
Status: in_force

When voting equipment has been properly prepared for an election, it shall be locked against voting and sealed, or if a voting or counting machine cannot be sealed with a numbered seal, it shall be locked with a key. The equipment keys and any electronic activation devices shall be retained in the custody of the general registrar and delivered to the officers of election as provided in § 24.2-639 . After the voting equipment has been delivered to the polling places, the general registrar shall provide ample protection against tampering with or damage to the equipment.

Code 1950, § 24-301; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-211; 1985, c. 458; 1993, c. 641; 1998, c. 264 ; 2004, cc. 993 , 1010 ; 2014, cc. 540 , 576 ; 2016, cc. 18 , 492 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-613 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 2 / Section 24.2-613
Form of ballot
Status: in_force

A. The ballots shall comply with the requirements of this title and the standards prescribed by the State Board. The names of all candidates to appear on the ballots shall be in the same font, size, and style.

B. For elections for federal, statewide, and General Assembly offices only, each candidate who has been nominated by a political party or in a primary election shall be identified by the name of his political party. Independent candidates shall be identified by the term "Independent." For the purpose of this section, any Independent candidate may, by producing sufficient and appropriate evidence of nomination by a "recognized political party" to the State Board, have the term "Independent" on the ballot converted to that of a "recognized political party" on the ballot and be treated on the ballot in a manner consistent with the candidates nominated by political parties. For the purpose of this section, a "recognized political party" is defined as an organization that, for at least six months preceding the filing of its nominee for the office, has had in continual existence a state central committee composed of registered voters residing in each congressional district of the Commonwealth, a party plan and bylaws, and a duly elected state chairman and secretary. A letter from the state chairman of a recognized political party certifying that a candidate is the nominee of that party and also signed by such candidate accepting that nomination shall constitute sufficient and appropriate evidence of nomination by a recognized political party. The name of the political party, the name of the "recognized political party," or term "Independent" may be shown by an initial or abbreviation to meet ballot requirements.

C. Except as provided for primary elections, the State Board shall determine by lot the order of the political parties, and the names of all candidates for a particular office shall appear together in the order determined for their parties. In an election district in which more than one person is nominated by one political party for the same office, the candidates' names shall appear alphabetically in their party groups under the name of the office, with sufficient space between party groups to indicate them as such. For the purpose of this section, except as provided for presidential elections in § 24.2-614 , "recognized political parties" shall be treated as a class; the order of the recognized political parties within the class shall be determined by lot by the State Board; and the class shall follow the political parties as defined by § 24.2-101 and precede the independent class. Independent candidates shall be treated as a class under "Independent", and their names shall be placed on the ballot after the political parties and recognized political parties. Where there is more than one independent candidate for an office, their names shall appear on the ballot in an order determined by the priority of time of filing for the office. In the event two or more candidates file simultaneously, the order of filing shall then be determined by lot by the electoral board as in the case of a tie vote for the office.

For the purposes of this subsection, "time of filing for the office" means the time at which an independent candidate has filed his petition signature pages with a number of signatures at least equal to the number required for the office pursuant to § 24.2-506 . In the case of an office for which no petition is required, "time of filing for the office" means the time at which the candidate has filed his completed statement of qualification pursuant to § 24.2-501 .

No individual's name shall appear on the ballot more than once for the same office.

D. On any ballot, all offices to be elected shall appear before any questions presented to the voters.

E. In preparing the printed ballots for general, special, and primary elections, the State Board and general registrars shall cause to be printed in not less than 10-point type, immediately below the title of any office, a statement of the number of candidates for whom votes may be cast for that office. For any office to which only one candidate can be elected, the following language shall be used: "Vote for only one." For any office to which more than one candidate can be elected, the following language shall be used: "Vote for not more than ____."

F. Any locality that uses machine-readable ballots at one or more precincts, including any central absentee precinct, may, with the approval of the State Board, use a printed reproduction of the machine-readable ballot in lieu of the official machine-readable ballot. Such reproductions shall be printed and otherwise handled in accordance with all laws and procedures that apply to official paper ballots.

Code 1950, §§ 24-215, 24-217; 1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-111, 24.1-113; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 119; 1972, c. 620; 1973, c. 30; 1974, c. 428; 1980, c. 639; 1981, c. 425; 1993, c. 641; 2000, cc. 282 , 514 , 866 ; 2002, c. 738 ; 2008, c. 544 ; 2010, c. 204 ; 2014, cc. 540 , 568 , 576 ; 2016, c. 493 ; 2017, cc. 352 , 364 ; 2018, cc. 464 , 537 ; 2019, cc. 99 , 283 , 289 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-209.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 2 / Article 2.1 / Section 24.2-209.1
Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote; form of compact
Status: in_force

The Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote is enacted into law and entered into with all other jurisdictions legally joining therein in the form substantially as follows:

ARTICLE I. Membership.

Any state of the United States and the District of Columbia may become a member of this agreement by enacting this agreement.

ARTICLE II. Right of the People in Member States to Vote for President and Vice President.

Each member state shall conduct a statewide popular election for President and Vice President of the United States.

ARTICLE III. Manner of Appointing Presidential Electors in Member States.

Prior to the time set by law for the meeting and voting by the presidential electors, the chief election official of each member state shall determine the number of votes for each presidential slate in each state of the United States and in the District of Columbia in which votes have been cast in a statewide popular election and shall add such votes together to produce a "national popular vote total" for each presidential slate.

The chief election official of each member state shall designate the presidential slate with the largest national popular vote total as the "national popular vote winner."

The presidential elector certifying official of each member state shall certify the appointment in that official's own state of the elector slate nominated in that state in association with the national popular vote winner.

At least six days before the day fixed by law for the meeting and voting by the presidential electors, each member state shall make a final determination of the number of popular votes cast in the state for each presidential slate and shall communicate an official statement of such determination within 24 hours to the chief election official of each other member state.

The chief election official of each member state shall treat as conclusive an official statement containing the number of popular votes in a state for each presidential slate made by the day established by federal law for making a state's final determination conclusive as to the counting of electoral votes by Congress.

In event of a tie for the national popular vote winner, the presidential elector certifying official of each member state shall certify the appointment of the elector slate nominated in association with the presidential slate receiving the largest number of popular votes within that official's own state.

If, for any reason, the number of presidential electors nominated in a member state in association with the national popular vote winner is less than or greater than that state's number of electoral votes, the presidential candidate on the presidential slate that has been designated as the national popular vote winner shall have the power to nominate the presidential electors for that state, and that state's presidential elector certifying official shall certify the appointment of such nominees.

The chief election official of each member state shall immediately release to the public all vote counts or statements of votes as they are determined or obtained.

This article shall govern the appointment of presidential electors in each member state in any year in which this agreement is, on July 20, in effect in states cumulatively possessing a majority of the electoral votes.

ARTICLE IV. Other Provisions.

This agreement shall take effect when states cumulatively possessing a majority of the electoral votes have enacted this agreement in substantially the same form and the enactments by such states have taken effect in each state.

Any member state may withdraw from this agreement, except that a withdrawal occurring six months or less before the end of a President's term shall not become effective until a President or Vice President shall have been qualified to serve the next term.

The chief executive of each member state shall promptly notify the chief executive of all other states of when this agreement has been enacted and has taken effect in that official's state, when the state has withdrawn from this agreement, and when this agreement takes effect generally.

This agreement shall terminate if the electoral college is abolished.

If any provision of this agreement is held invalid, the remaining provisions shall not be affected.

ARTICLE V. Definitions.

For purposes of this agreement:

"Chief election official" shall mean the state official or body that is authorized to certify the total number of popular votes for each presidential slate.

"Chief executive" shall mean the governor of a state of the United States or the mayor of the District of Columbia.

"Elector slate" shall mean a slate of candidates who have been nominated in a state for the position of presidential elector in association with a presidential slate.

"Presidential elector" shall mean an elector for President and Vice President of the United States.

"Presidential elector certifying official" shall mean the state official or body that is authorized to certify the appointment of the state's presidential electors.

"Presidential slate" shall mean a slate of two persons, the first of whom has been nominated as a candidate for President of the United States and the second of whom has been nominated as a candidate for Vice President of the United States, or any legal successors to such persons, regardless of whether both names appear on the ballot presented to the voter in a particular state.

"State" shall mean a state of the United States and the District of Columbia.

"Statewide popular election" shall mean a general election in which votes are cast for presidential slates by individual voters and counted on a statewide basis.

2026, cc. 715 , 716 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-802 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 8 / Article 1 / Section 24.2-802
Recount standards
Status: in_force

A. The State Board of Elections shall promulgate standards for (i) the proper handling and security of voting systems, ballots, and other materials required for a recount, (ii) accurate counting of votes based upon objective evidence and taking into account the voting system and form of ballots approved for use in the Commonwealth, and (iii) any other matters that will promote a timely and accurate resolution of the recount.

B. The State Board shall promulgate additional standards and instructions for the conduct of simultaneous recounts of two or more elections in a single election district.

C. The State Board shall promulgate additional standards and instructions for the conduct of recounts in elections for any office to which more than one candidate can be elected. Such standards and instructions shall include which candidates apparently nominated or elected are required to be named in the petition for a recount or served a copy of the petition for a recount.

D. The chief judge of the circuit court or the full recount court may, consistent with State Board of Elections standards, resolve disputes over the application of the standards and direct all other appropriate measures to ensure the proper conduct of the recount.

1979, c. 293, § 24.1-250; 1980, c. 639; 1981, c. 570; 1982, c. 650; 1983, c. 461; 1984, c. 480; 1993, c. 641; 2000, cc. 938 , 1057 ; 2001, cc. 639 , 641 , 646 ; 2002, cc. 601 , 647 ; 2003, c. 268 ; 2004, c. 410 ; 2006, c. 689 ; 2007, cc. 285 , 939 , 943 ; 2008, c. 682 ; 2011, c. 522 ; 2014, cc. 540 , 576 ; 2015, c. 740 ; 2016, c. 464 ; 2019, c. 382 ; 2020, c. 886 ; 2023, c. 219 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-409.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 2.1 / Section 24.2-409.1
(For contingent effective date, see Acts 2026, cc. 992 and 1081, cl. 3) Department of Elections to transmit information pertaining to persons convicted of a felony in federal court
Status: in_force

Upon receipt of a notice of a felony conviction and imposition of a sentence of incarceration sent by a United States attorney pursuant to the National Voter Registration Act (52 U.S.C. § 20501 et seq.), the Department shall notify the appropriate general registrar of the conviction and sentence of incarceration.

1996, cc. 72 , 73 ; 2015, c. 740 ; 2026, cc. 992 , 1081 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-630 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-630
Experimental use of approved systems
Status: in_force

With the approval of the State Board, the governing body of any county, city, or town may provide for the experimental use at an election in one or more election districts or precincts of a voting or counting system which it might legally adopt without a formal adoption thereof, and its use at such election shall be valid for all purposes.

Code 1950, § 24-295; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-206; 1985, c. 458; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-949 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-949
Political action committee election cycle
Status: in_force

The political action committee's election cycle shall be deemed to begin on January 1 and continue through December 31 of each calendar year.

2006, cc. 787 , 892 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-620 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 2 / Section 24.2-620
Dividing ballots into packages for each precinct; delivery of absentee ballots
Status: in_force

The electoral board or general registrar shall cause to be made, in the presence of at least one member of the board or a designee of the board, one or more packages of ballots for each precinct in the election district. Each package shall contain a number of ballots determined by the board or general registrar. Each of these packages shall be securely sealed in the presence of a member of the board or such designated person so that the ballots shall be invisible, and so that the packages cannot be readily opened without detection. On each of the packages shall be endorsed the name of the precinct for which it is intended and the number of ballots therein contained. Thereafter the packages designated for each precinct shall be delivered to the general registrar and remain in his exclusive possession until delivered by him, or by a board member, a designee of the board, or a deputy registrar, to the officers of election of each precinct as provided in § 24.2-621 .

There shall be sufficient ballots for those offering to vote absentee delivered to the general registrar by the deadline stated in § 24.2-612 . Any such ballots remaining unused at the close of the polls on election day shall be sent by the general registrar to the clerk of the circuit court of the county or city.

Code 1950, §§ 24-226, 24-227; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-119; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 119; 1972, c. 620; 1982, c. 650; 1984, c. 480; 1993, c. 641; 1997, c. 460 ; 2016, cc. 18 , 492 ; 2022, c. 140 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-109.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 1 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-109.1
Performance review of general registrars
Status: in_force

The electoral board shall conduct an annual performance review of the general registrar for years ending June 30, 2006, and thereafter. The electoral board shall complete the review by August 1 of each year, retain a copy of the performance review, and provide a summary of the review to the State Board. The performance review shall be conducted in accordance with the format and forms provided by the State Board.

2004, cc. 27 , 391 ; 2006, c. 235 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-636 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-636
Instruction as to use of equipment
Status: in_force

No fewer than three nor more than 30 days before each election, the electoral board or general registrar shall instruct, or cause to be instructed, on the use of the equipment and his duties in connection therewith, each officer of election appointed to serve in the election who has not previously been so instructed. The board or the general registrar shall not permit any person to serve as an officer who is not fully trained to conduct an election properly with the equipment. This section shall not be construed to prevent the appointment of a person as an officer of election to fill a vacancy in an emergency.

Code 1950, § 24-303; 1970, c. 462, § 24.2-213; 1972, c. 620; 1985, c. 458; 1993, c. 641; 1998, c. 187 ; 2016, cc. 18 , 492 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-600 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 1 / Section 24.2-600
Cost of elections
Status: in_force

The cost of conducting elections under this title shall be paid by the counties and cities, respectively. The cost of town elections shall be paid by the towns.

Code 1950, §§ 24-172, 24-177; 1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-93, 24.1-96; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-661 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-661
Detection and setting aside of double ballots
Status: in_force

After the votes on all voting and counting equipment have been determined and recorded, the officers of election shall proceed to examine and count the paper ballots to ascertain if any double ballots have been cast, and whether the number of ballots corresponds with the number of names on the pollbooks of persons who voted on paper ballots. If two or more separate ballots are found so folded together as to represent the appearance of a single ballot they shall be laid aside until the count of the ballots is completed. If, upon a comparison of the count and the number of names of such qualified voters on the pollbooks, it appears that the two or more ballots thus folded together were cast by the same qualified voter, they shall be set aside and not counted.

Code 1950, §§ 24-262, 24-313; 1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-138, 24.1-223; 1983, c. 461; 1985, c. 458; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-711 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 7 / Section 24.2-711
Duties of electoral board, general registrar, and officers of election
Status: in_force

A. Before the polls open, the officers of election at each precinct shall mark, for each person on the absentee voter applicant list, the letters "AB" (meaning absentee ballot) in the voting record column on the pollbook. The pollbook may be so marked prior to election day by the general registrar, the secretary of the electoral board, or staff under the direction of the general registrar or the secretary, or when the pollbook is produced by the State Board pursuant to § 24.2-404 . If the pollbook has been marked prior to election day, before the polls open the officers of election at each precinct shall check the marks for accuracy and make any additions or corrections required.

The chief officer of election shall keep the copy of the absentee voter applicant list in the polling place as a public record open for inspection upon request at all times while the polls are open.

B. Before noon on the day following the election, the general registrar shall deliver all applications for absentee ballots for the election, under seal, to the clerk of the circuit court for the county or city, except that the general registrar may retain all applications for absentee ballots until the electoral board has ascertained the results of the election pursuant to § 24.2-671 , and has determined the validity of and counted all provisional ballots pursuant to § 24.2-653.01 , at which point all applications shall then be delivered, under seal, to the clerk of the circuit court for the county or city. The clerk shall retain the sealed applications with the counted ballots.

C. The secretary of the electoral board shall deliver all absentee ballots received after the election to the clerk of the circuit court.

Code 1950, §§ 24-330, 24-338, 24-338.1, 24-339, 24-340, 24-341, 24-342, 24-345.8; 1952, c. 509; 1954, cc. 511, 523, 539; 1956, c. 525; 1962, c. 536; 1964, c. 557; 1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-231, 24.1-234; 1972, c. 621; 1974, c. 428, § 24.1-233.1; 1978, c. 778; 1981, c. 425; 1988, cc. 624, 691; 1991, c. 3; 1993, c. 641; 2001, c. 799 ; 2002, cc. 785 , 819 ; 2003, c. 1015 ; 2006, c. 283 ; 2013, c. 501 ; 2014, cc. 453 , 574 , 575 ; 2017, c. 276 ; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 471 , 522 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-435 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 5 / Section 24.2-435
(Effective until July 1, 2027) Cancellation records to be retained for specified periods
Status: in_force

The registration records of voters whose registration has been cancelled pursuant to this article shall be retained for two years from the date of cancellation by the general registrar. However, the registration records of voters whose registration has been cancelled because the voter has moved to another state or the voter has submitted changes to his registration records shall be retained for four years.

Code 1950, §§ 24-59, 24-60, 24-60.1, 24-71 through 24-73, 24-90, 24-93, 24-94, 24-96, 24-101, 24-111; 1958, c. 576; 1962, cc. 422, 536; 1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-46(12), 24.1-59; 1972, c. 620; 1973, c. 30; 1974, c. 428; 1975, c. 515; 1976, c. 616; 1979, c. 329; 1980, c. 639; 1982, c. 650; 1983, c. 398; 1984, c. 480; 1986, cc. 241, 558; 1990, cc. 193, 313; 1993, c. 641; 2003, c. 238 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-679 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-679
State Board to meet and make statement as to number of votes
Status: in_force

A. The State Board shall meet by the first Monday in December to ascertain the results of the November election. If a majority of the Board is not present or if, for any other reason, the Board is unable to ascertain the results on that day, the meeting shall stand adjourned from day to day for not more than three days until a quorum is present and the Board has ascertained the results as provided in this section.

The Board shall examine the certified abstracts on file in its office and make statements of the whole number of votes given at any such election for members of the General Assembly, Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General, members of the United States Congress and electors of President and Vice President of the United States, and any officer shared by more than one county or city, or any combination thereof, or for so many of such officers as have been voted for at the election.

The statement shall show, for each office and each county, city, and election district, the whole number of votes given to each candidate and to any other person elected to office. The Board members shall certify the statements to be correct and sign the statements. The Board shall then determine those persons who received the greatest number of votes and have been duly elected to each office. The Board members shall endorse and subscribe on such statements a certificate of their determination. The Board shall record each certified statement and determination in a suitable book to be kept by it in its office.

B. The State Board shall meet as soon as possible after it receives the returns for any special election held at a time other than the November general election to ascertain the results of the special election in the manner prescribed in subsection A. If the returns have not been received within seven days of the election, the Board shall meet and adjourn from day to day until it receives the returns, ascertains the results, and makes its determination.

C. 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 State Board to ascertain the results of an election, 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 such a meeting place.

Code 1950, §§ 24-285, 24-286, 24-287, 24-289; 1958, c. 605; 1962, c. 536; 1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-154, 24.1-155; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 206; 1974, c. 428; 1980, c. 639; 1983, c. 461; 1993, c. 641; 2015, c. 740 ; 2022, cc. 443 , 444 ; 2026, c. 1078 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-940 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.1 / Section 24.2-940
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 2006, cc. 787 and 892 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-708 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 7 / Section 24.2-708
Return of unused ballots; voting by applicant who did not receive or lost ballot; defaced ballots
Status: in_force

A. Any person who has applied for and received an absentee ballot may choose not to vote absentee and shall be entitled to cast a ballot in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.

1. The voter may, prior to the day of the election, return the ballot to the general registrar (i) unopened in the sealed envelope in which it was sent to him or (ii) opened and unmarked.

The general registrar shall note on the voter's record, opposite the name of the voter, the fact that the ballot was returned unused and the date of the return and shall carefully preserve the ballot with all ballots returned unused. Such ballots shall be delivered, with other returned ballots, to the officers of election on election day. The voter shall then be entitled to vote a regular ballot in the office of the general registrar, or he may choose to vote at his proper polling place or at a central absentee voter precinct on the day of the election. On the day of the election, (a) if the general registrar or an officer of election is able to confirm the return of the unused ballot, the voter shall be entitled to vote a regular ballot and (b) if the general registrar or an officer of election is unable to confirm the return of the unused ballot, the voter shall be entitled to cast a provisional ballot pursuant to § 24.2-653.1 .

2. The voter may, on the day of the election, return his unused ballot to his proper polling place or central absentee voter precinct, and the unused ballot shall be preserved with other unused ballots. The voter shall then be entitled to vote a regular ballot.

3. The voter may, on the day of the election, offer to vote at his proper polling place or at a central absentee voter precinct without returning his unused ballot, and he shall be entitled to cast a provisional ballot pursuant to § 24.2-653.1 .

B. Any person who has applied for and has been sent an absentee ballot but does not receive the ballot or loses the ballot shall be entitled to cast a ballot in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.

1. The voter may, prior to the day of the election, present to the general registrar or officer of election a statement signed by him that he did not receive the ballot or has lost the ballot. Such statement shall be made subject to felony penalties for making false statements as pursuant to § 24.2-1016 , and the voter shall then be entitled to cast a regular ballot.

2. The voter may, on the day of the election, offer to vote at his proper polling place or at a central absentee voter precinct, and he shall be entitled to cast a provisional ballot pursuant to § 24.2-653.1 .

C. Any person who has applied for and has been sent an absentee ballot that has been unintentionally or accidentally defaced and rendered unfit for voting shall be entitled to cast a ballot in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.

1. The voter may, prior to the day of the election, present the defaced ballot to the general registrar or an officer of election, and the ballot shall be marked spoiled by the general registrar or an officer of election and placed in a spoiled-ballot envelope to be retained with the ballots for the election. The voter shall then be entitled to vote a regular ballot in the office of the general registrar, or he may choose to vote at his proper polling place or at a central absentee voter precinct on the day of the election. On the day of the election, (i) if the general registrar or an officer of election is able to confirm the return of the defaced ballot, the voter shall be entitled to vote a regular ballot and (ii) if the general registrar or an officer of election is unable to confirm the return of the defaced ballot, the voter shall be entitled to cast a provisional ballot pursuant to § 24.2-653.1 .

2. The voter may, on the day of the election, present his defaced or unfit ballot to his proper polling place or central absentee voter precinct, and the defaced or unfit ballot shall be preserved with other spoiled ballots. The voter shall then be entitled to vote a regular ballot.

Code 1950, §§ 24-336, 24-340.1; 1954, c. 511; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-233; 1974, c. 428; 1978, c. 778; 1993, c. 641; 1999, c. 725 ; 2006, c. 283 ; 2010, c. 348 ; 2012, c. 645 ; 2014, c. 600 ; 2015, cc. 644 , 645 ; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 471 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-948 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-948
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 2010, c. 696 , cl. 2.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-211 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 2 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-211
Discharge of duties when office of Governor is vacant or Governor is disabled
Status: in_force

When the Governor-elect is disqualified, resigns, or dies following his election but prior to taking office, the Lieutenant Governor-elect shall succeed to the office of Governor for the full term. When the Governor-elect fails to assume office for any other reason, the Lieutenant Governor-elect shall serve as acting Governor.

Whenever the Governor transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Delegates his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Lieutenant Governor as acting Governor.

Whenever the Attorney General, the President pro tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Delegates, or a majority of the total membership of the General Assembly, transmit to the Clerk of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Delegates their written declaration that the Governor is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Lieutenant Governor shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as acting Governor.

Thereafter, when the Governor transmits to the Clerk of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Delegates his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Attorney General, the President pro tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Delegates, or a majority of the total membership of the General Assembly, transmit within four days to the Clerk of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Delegates their written declaration that the Governor is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon the General Assembly shall decide the issue, convening within forty-eight hours for that purpose, if not already in session. If within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter declaration or, if the General Assembly is not in session, within twenty-one days after the General Assembly is required to convene, the General Assembly determines by three-fourths vote of the elected membership of each house of the General Assembly that the Governor is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Lieutenant Governor shall become Governor; otherwise, the Governor shall resume the powers and duties of his office.

In the case of the removal of the Governor from office or in the case of his disqualification, death or resignation, the Lieutenant Governor shall become Governor.

If a vacancy exists in the office of Lieutenant Governor when the Lieutenant Governor is to succeed to the office of Governor or to serve as acting Governor, the Attorney General, if he is eligible to serve as Governor, shall succeed to the office of Governor for the unexpired term or serve as acting Governor. If the Attorney General is ineligible to serve as Governor, the Speaker of the House of Delegates, if he is eligible to serve as Governor, shall succeed to the office of Governor. If a vacancy exists in the office of the Speaker of the House of Delegates or if the Speaker of the House of Delegates is ineligible to serve as Governor, the House of Delegates shall convene and fill the vacancy.

Code 1950, § 24-150; 1960, c. 488; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-82; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 165; 1993, c. 641.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-416.5 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 3.1 / Section 24.2-416.5
Social security number or parts thereof not to be disclosed
Status: in_force

Any person assisting an applicant with the completion or return of a mail voter registration application shall not copy, disclose or make any use of the social security number, or any part thereof, of the applicant except as authorized by law for official use.

1996, cc. 72 , 73 ; 2007, c. 318 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-949.1 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-949.1
Establishment of political action committees by certain entities
Status: in_force

Any stock or nonstock corporation, labor organization, membership organization, cooperative, or other group of persons may establish and administer for political purposes, and solicit and expend contributions for, a political action committee, provided that:

1. No political action committee shall make a contribution or expenditure by utilizing money or anything of value secured by physical force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, threat of force, or as a condition of employment.

2. Any person soliciting a contribution to a political action committee shall, at the time of solicitation, inform the person being solicited of (i) his right to refuse to contribute without any reprisal and (ii) the political purposes of the committee.

1981, c. 425, § 24.1-254.2; 1993, c. 641, § 24.2-909; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-958.3 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.5 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-958.3
Requirements for radio advertisements sponsored by a person that is not a candidate or political committee
Status: in_force

A. It shall be unlawful for a person to sponsor an 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. Radio advertisements purchased by an individual supporting or opposing the nomination or election of one or more clearly identified candidates shall include a disclosure statement spoken by the individual containing at least the following words: "I am [individual's name], and I sponsored this ad."

2. Radio advertisements purchased by a corporation, partnership, business, labor organization, membership organization, association, cooperative, or other like entity supporting or opposing the nomination or election of one or more clearly identified candidates shall include a disclosure statement spoken by the chief executive of the sponsor containing at least the following words: "[Name of sponsor] paid for (or 'sponsored' or 'furnished') this ad."

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

C. If an advertisement is jointly sponsored, the disclosure statement shall include the names of all the sponsors.

2002, c. 487 , § 24.2-944; 2004, cc. 55 , 457 ; 2005, c. 369 ; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-114 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 1 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-114
Duties and powers of general registrar
Status: in_force

In addition to the other duties required by this title, the general registrar, and the deputy registrars acting under his supervision, shall:

1. Maintain the office of the general registrar and establish and maintain additional public places for voter registration in accordance with the provisions of § 24.2-412 .

2. Participate in programs to educate the general public concerning registration and encourage registration by the general public. No registrar shall actively solicit, in a selective manner, any application for registration or for a ballot or offer anything of value for any such application.

3. Perform his duties within the county or city he was appointed to serve, except that a registrar may (i) go into a county or city in the Commonwealth contiguous to his county or city to register voters of his county or city when conducting registration jointly with the registrar of the contiguous county or city or (ii) notwithstanding any other provision of law, participate in multijurisdictional staffing for voter registration offices, approved by the State Board, that are located at facilities of the Department of Motor Vehicles.

4. Provide the appropriate forms for applications to register and to obtain the information necessary to complete the applications pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of Virginia and general law.

5. Indicate on the registration records for each accepted mail voter registration application form returned by mail pursuant to Article 3.1 (§ 24.2-416.1 et seq.) of Chapter 4 that the registrant has registered by mail. The general registrar shall fulfill this duty in accordance with the instructions of the State Board so that those persons who registered by mail are identified on the registration records, lists of registered voters furnished pursuant to § 24.2-405 , lists of persons who voted furnished pursuant to § 24.2-406 , and pollbooks used for the conduct of elections.

6. Accept a registration application or request for transfer or change of address submitted by or for a resident of any other county or city in the Commonwealth. Registrars shall process registration applications and requests for transfer or change of address from residents of other counties and cities in accordance with written instructions from the State Board and shall forward the completed application or request to the registrar of the applicant's residence. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 24.2-416 , the registrar of the applicant's residence shall recognize as timely any application or request for transfer or change of address submitted to any person authorized to receive voter registration applications pursuant to Chapter 4 (§ 24.2-400 et seq.), prior to or on the final day of registration. The registrar of the applicant's residence shall determine the qualification of the applicant, including whether the applicant has ever been convicted of a felony, and if so, under what circumstances the applicant's right to vote has been restored, and promptly notify the applicant at the address shown on the application or request of the acceptance or denial of his registration or transfer. However, notification shall not be required when the registrar does not have an address for the applicant.

7. Preserve order at and in the vicinity of the place of registration. For this purpose, the registrar shall be vested with the powers of a conservator of the peace while engaged in the duties imposed by law. He may exclude from the place of registration persons whose presence disturbs the registration process. He may appoint special officers, not exceeding three in number, for a place of registration and may summon persons in the vicinity to assist whenever, in his judgment, it is necessary to preserve order. The general registrar and any deputy registrar shall be authorized to administer oaths for purposes of this title.

8. Maintain the official registration records for his county or city in the system approved by, and in accordance with the instructions of, the State Board; preserve the written applications of all persons who are registered; and preserve for a period of four years the written applications of all persons who are denied registration or whose registration is cancelled.

9. If a person is denied registration, notify such person in writing of the denial and the reason for denial within five days of the denial in accordance with § 24.2-422 .

10. Verify the accuracy of the pollbooks provided for each election by the State Board, make the pollbooks available to the precincts, and according to the instructions of the State Board provide a copy of the data from the pollbooks to the State Board after each election for voting credit purposes.

11. Retain the pollbooks in his principal office for two years from the date of the election.

12. Maintain accurate and current registration records and comply with the requirements of this title for the transfer, inactivation, and cancellation of voter registrations.

13. Whenever election districts, precincts, or polling places are altered, provide for entry into the voter registration system of the proper district and precinct designations for each registered voter whose districts or precinct have changed and notify each affected voter of changes affecting his districts or polling place by mail.

14. Whenever any part of his county or city becomes part of another jurisdiction by annexation, merger, or other means, transfer to the appropriate general registrar the registration records of the affected registered voters. The general registrar for their new county or city shall notify them by mail of the transfer and their new election districts and polling places.

15. When he registers any person who was previously registered in another state, notify the appropriate authority in that state of the person's registration in Virginia by providing electronically, through the Department of Elections, the information contained in that person's registration application.

16. Whenever any person is believed to be registered or voting in more than one state or territory of the United States at the same time, inquire about, or provide information from the voter's registration and voting records to any appropriate voter registration or other authority of another state or territory who inquires about, that person's registration and voting history.

17. At the request of the county or city chairman of any political party nominating a candidate for the General Assembly, constitutional office, or local office by a method other than a primary, review any petition required by the party in its nomination process to determine whether those signing the petition are registered voters with active status.

18. Carry out such other duties as prescribed by the electoral board in his capacity as the director of elections for the locality in which he serves.

19. Receive and maintain certification through the certification program conducted by the State Board for general registrars pursuant to subsection C of § 24.2-103 . Each general registrar shall be required to receive certification through the certification program within 12 months of his initial appointment or any subsequent reappointment, unless a waiver has been granted by the State Board pursuant to subsection C of § 24.2-103 .

Code 1950, §§ 24-59, 24-60, 24-60.1, 24-71 through 24-73, 24-90, 24-93, 24-94, 24-101, 24-111, 24-115, 24-118; 1950, p. 381; 1958, c. 576; 1962, cc. 422, 536; 1968, c. 143; 1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-46, 24.1-54, 24.1-68; 1972, c. 620; 1973, c. 30; 1974, c. 428; 1976, c. 616; 1979, c. 329; 1980, c. 639; 1982, c. 650; 1983, c. 398; 1984, c. 480; 1986, c. 558; 1990, c. 193; 1993, c. 641; 1996, cc. 72 , 73 ; 1998, c. 354 ; 2000, cc. 512 , 556 , 857 ; 2003, c. 1015 ; 2005, c. 380 ; 2010, c. 812 ; 2013, c. 491 ; 2015, cc. 644 , 645 ; 2016, cc. 13 , 633 ; 2019, c. 341 ; 2020, cc. 857 , 1148 ; 2022, c. 140 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-304.2 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 3 / Article 2.1 / Section 24.2-304.2
Governing body authorized to expend funds for reapportionment
Status: in_force

The governing body of each county, city, or town is authorized to expend funds and employ persons as it may deem necessary to carry out the responsibilities relating to reapportionment provided by law.

1995, c. 249 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-951.3 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.3 / Article 6 / Section 24.2-951.3
Information to be included on campaign finance reports for referendum 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 referendum 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 referendum 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. 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.

D. Each report for a referendum committee shall list separately those receipts and expenditures reported to the treasurer or other officer of the committee by any person, campaign committee, or political committee, pursuant to subsection B of § 24.2-951.2 and, in the case of in-kind contributions, shall set forth in each instance the source of the information reported.

E. 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.

F. 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.

G. It is the responsibility of the treasurer that the report for the referendum 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, cc. 248 , 257 , § 24.2-910.1; 2005, c. 745 ; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-409.2 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 4 / Article 2.1 / Section 24.2-409.2
(For contingent effective date, see Acts 2026, cc. 992 and 1081, cl. 3) Information regarding pending releases from incarceration; deadlines for transmittal, processing
Status: in_force

A. The Department of Corrections and the Compensation Board shall transmit to the Department of Elections certain information related to a person who has been released from incarceration as follows:

1. For any person released in the period beginning on the first day of a month through the fifteenth day of that month, not later than the sixteenth day of such month; and

2. For any person released in the period beginning on the sixteenth day of a month through the last day of that month, not later than the first day of the following month.

Such information shall be in a format specified by the Department of Elections and shall include, if available, the incarcerated person's name; address; county, city, or town of residence; social security number; date and place of birth; and date of release from incarceration.

B. Upon the receipt of information transmitted pursuant to subsection A, the Department of Elections shall promptly process the information and make all necessary updates in the Virginia voter registration system to permit a formerly incarcerated person to register to vote.

Contingently enacted by 2026, c. 1081 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-957.2 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 9.5 / Article 3 / Section 24.2-957.2
Requirements for television advertisements sponsored by a political committee
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for a political 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 political committee]."

2. A television advertisement supporting or opposing the nomination or election of one or more clearly identified candidates (i) shall include a disclosure statement, spoken by the chief executive officer or treasurer of the political committee, containing at least the following words: "The [Name of political committee] sponsored this ad."

3. If an advertisement is jointly sponsored, the disclosure statement shall include the names of all the sponsors and the disclosing individual shall be one of those sponsors.

4. The disclosure shall be made by visual legend, which shall constitute 20 scan lines in size.

5. The content of these visual legends is specified by the Communications Act of 1934, 47 U.S.C. §§ 315 and 317 and this section.

6. The political 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.

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

8. A political 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.

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

10. If the advertisement is jointly sponsored, the disclosure statement shall name all of the sponsors and the disclosing individual shall be one of those sponsors. This provision supersedes any contrary provisions of the Code of Virginia.

2002, c. 487 , §§ 24.2-943, 24.2-944; 2003, c. 237 ; 2004, cc. 55 , 457 ; 2005, c. 369 ; 2006, cc. 787 , 892 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-506 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 5 / Article 2 / Section 24.2-506
(Effective January 1, 2027) Petition of qualified voters required; number of signatures required; certain towns excepted
Status: in_force

A. The name of any candidate for any office, other than a party nominee, shall not be printed upon any official ballots provided for the election unless he shall file along with his declaration of candidacy a petition therefor, on a form prescribed by the State Board, signed by the number of qualified voters specified in this subsection on and after January 1 of the year in which the general election is held, or on and after the day on which the writ of election is issued in the case of a special election, and listing the residence address of each such voter. Each signature on the petition shall have been witnessed by a person who is not a minor or a felon whose voting rights have not been restored and whose affidavit to that effect appears on each page of the petition. Each such person circulating a petition who is not a legal resident of the Commonwealth shall sign a statement on the affidavit that he consents to the jurisdiction of the courts of Virginia in resolving any disputes concerning the circulation of petitions, or signatures contained therein, by that person. The signatures of qualified voters collected by a nonresident petition circulator who fails to sign such statement, or who later fails to appear or produce documents when properly served with a subpoena to do so, shall not be counted towards the minimum number of signatures required pursuant to this subsection.

Each voter signing the petition 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.

The minimum number of signatures of qualified voters required for candidate petitions shall be as follows:

1. For a candidate for the United States Senate, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or Attorney General, 10,000 signatures, including the signatures of at least 400 qualified voters from each congressional district in the Commonwealth;

2. For a candidate for the United States House of Representatives, 1,000 signatures;

3. For a candidate for the Senate of Virginia, 250 signatures;

4. For a candidate for the House of Delegates or for a constitutional office, 125 signatures;

5. For a candidate for membership on the governing body or elected school board of any county or city, 125 signatures; or if from an election district not at large containing 1,000 or fewer registered voters, 50 signatures;

6. For a candidate for membership on the governing body or elected school board of any town that has more than 3,500 registered voters, 125 signatures; or if from a ward or other district not at large, 25 signatures;

7. For a candidate for membership on the governing body or elected school board of any town that has at least 1,500 but not more than 3,500 registered voters, 50 signatures; or if from a ward or other district not at large, 25 signatures;

8. For a candidate for membership on the governing body or elected school board of any town that has fewer than 1,500 registered voters, no petition shall be required;

9. For a candidate for director of a soil and water conservation district created pursuant to Article 3 (§ 10.1-506 et seq.) of Chapter 5 of Title 10.1, 25 signatures; and

10. For any other candidate, 50 signatures.

B. The State Board shall approve uniform standards by which petitions filed by a candidate for office, other than a party nominee, are reviewed to determine if the petitions contain sufficient signatures of qualified voters as required in subsection A. Such standards shall not include a requirement for a candidate for office to provide his residence address or the unique identifier assigned to the voter in the voter registration system pursuant to subdivision A 1 of § 24.2-404 on the petition prior to it being filed.

The State Board of Elections, on or before January 1, 2020, shall revise its processes and associated regulations for reviewing and processing candidate petitions. Such revisions shall provide a process for checking petition signatures that includes a method for determining if a petition signature belongs to an individual whose prior registration has been canceled and the reason for such cancellation. The process shall provide for the tracking of such information associated with each petition. The process shall provide for the escalation of cases of suspected fraud to the electoral board, the State Board, or the office of the attorney for the Commonwealth, as appropriate.

C. If a candidate, other than a party nominee, does not qualify to have his name appear on the ballot by reason of the candidate's filed petition not containing the minimum number of signatures of qualified voters for the office sought, the candidate may appeal that determination within five calendar days of the issuance of the notice of disqualification pursuant to § 24.2-612 or notice from the State Board that the candidate did not meet the requirements to have his name appear on the ballot.

Appeals made by candidates for a county, city, or town office shall be filed with the electoral board. Appeals made by candidates for all other offices shall be filed with the State Board. The appeal shall be heard by the State Board or the electoral board, as appropriate, within five business days of its filing. The electoral board shall notify the State Board of any appeal that is filed with the electoral board.

The State Board shall develop procedures for the conduct of such an appeal. The consideration on appeal shall be limited to whether or not the signatures on the petitions that were filed were reasonably rejected according to the requirements of this title and the uniform standards approved by the State Board for the review of petitions. Immediately after the conclusion of the appeal hearing, the entity conducting the appeal shall notify the candidate and, if applicable, the State Board, of its decision in writing. The decision on appeal shall be final and not subject to further appeal.

Code 1950, § 24-133; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-168; 1971, Ex. Sess., cc. 119, 247; 1978, c. 778; 1980, c. 639; 1982, c. 650; 1983, c. 188; 1987, c. 118; 1989, c. 141; 1992, c. 855; 1993, cc. 407, 641; 1998, cc. 152 , 246 ; 2000, cc. 232 , 252 ; 2001, c. 53 ; 2003, c. 477 ; 2010, c. 215 ; 2012, cc. 166 , 538 ; 2013, c. 684 ; 2017, c. 355 ; 2019, c. 682 ; 2020, c. 501 ; 2024, c. 498 ; 2026, cc. 228 , 229 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-678 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 6 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-678
Law-enforcement officer to be sent for abstracts not forwarded
Status: in_force

If the State Board has not received the abstracts of votes from any county or city within 10 days after any election, it shall dispatch a law-enforcement officer to obtain a certified copy of the abstract from an official having charge thereof. That official shall immediately, on demand of the officer, make out and deliver to him the copy required, and the officer shall deliver the abstract to the State Board without delay. Upon receipt of such abstracts, the State Board shall proceed with its duties under § 24.2-679 .

Code 1950, § 24-284; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-153; 1993, c. 641; 2024, c. 738 ; 2026, c. 60 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-209 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 2 / Article 2 / Section 24.2-209
Filling vacancies in House of Representatives
Status: in_force

When any vacancy occurs in the representation of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the House of Representatives, or when a representative-elect dies or resigns, the Governor shall issue a writ of election to fill the vacancy. Upon receipt of written notification by a representative or representative-elect of his resignation as of a stated date, the Governor may immediately issue a writ to call the election. The representative's or representative-elect's resignation shall not be revocable after the date stated by him for his resignation or after the forty-fifth day before the date set for the special election.

Code 1950, § 24-6; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-7; 1983, c. 461; 1993, c. 641; 2003, c. 1015 ; 2010, cc. 449 , 645 .
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-514 — Virginia Code / Title 24.2 / Chapter 5 / Article 4 / Section 24.2-514
To what nominations this article applies
Status: in_force

This article shall apply to the nomination of candidates for offices by a direct primary held on the regular dates established in § 24.2-515 for the conduct of primaries, and to no other nominations.

A primary is not authorized under this article to nominate presidential electors, nor to nominate candidates to fill vacancies unless the candidates for nomination to fill vacancies are to be voted for on the regular date set by this article for primaries.

Code 1950, §§ 24-348, 24-361; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-171; 1993, c. 641.