reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.5 - Political Campaign Advertisements › § 24.2-958. General provisions; applicability to advertisements in audio format

A. Radio outlets and online platforms shall not be liable under this article for carriage of political advertisements that fail to include the disclosure requirements provided for in this article. This provision supersedes any contrary provisions of the Code of Virginia.
B. The person accepting an advertisement for a radio outlet shall require, and for one year shall retain a copy of, proof of identity of the person who submits the advertisement for broadcast. Proof of identity shall be submitted either (i) in person and include a valid Virginia driver's license, or any other identification card issued by a government agency of the Commonwealth, one of its political subdivisions, or the United States, or (ii) other than in person, in which case, the person submitting the advertisement shall provide a telephone number and the person accepting the advertisement may phone the person to verify the validity of the person's identifying information before broadcasting the advertisement.
C. Any disclosure statement required by this section shall be communicated in a conspicuous manner.
D. An advertisement that is in audio format and is placed or promoted for a fee on an online platform shall be subject to the same disclosure requirements to which radio advertisements are subject pursuant to this article.
2002, c. 487, § 24.2-944; 2004, cc. 55, 457; 2005, c. 369; 2006, cc. 787, 892; 2020, c. 551.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.5 - Political Campaign Advertisements › § 24.2-958.1. Requirements for radio advertisements sponsored by a candidate or candidate campaign committee

It shall be unlawful for a candidate or a candidate campaign committee to sponsor a radio advertisement that constitutes an expenditure or contribution required to be disclosed under Chapter 9.3 (§ 24.2-945 et seq.) unless all of the following requirements are met:
1. The advertisement shall include the statement "Paid for by ______ [Name of candidate or candidate campaign committee as it appears on the statement of organization]." Alternatively, if the advertisement makes no reference to any clearly identified candidate other than the candidate who is sponsoring the advertisement or whose campaign committee is sponsoring the advertisement, then the statement "Paid for by ______ [Name of candidate or candidate campaign committee as it appears on the statement of organization]" may be replaced by the statement "Authorized by ______ [Name of candidate or candidate campaign committee as it appears on the statement of organization]."
2. If the advertisement supports or opposes the election or nomination of a clearly identified candidate other than the sponsoring candidate or supports or opposes the election or nomination of the sponsoring candidate and makes reference to another clearly identified candidate, it must include a disclosure statement spoken by the sponsoring candidate containing at least the following words: "I am (or 'This is ______ ') [Name of candidate], candidate for [Name of office], and this ad was paid for by (or 'sponsored by' or 'furnished by') [Name of candidate or candidate campaign committee as it appears on the statement of organization]."
3. The disclosure statement shall last at least two seconds and the statement shall be spoken so that its contents may be easily understood. The placement of the oral disclosure statement shall also comply with the requirements of the Communications Act of 1934, 47 U.S.C. §§ 315 and 317.
4. In its oral disclosure statement, the candidate or the candidate campaign committee may choose to identify an advertisement as either supporting or opposing the nomination or election of one or more clearly identified candidates.
5. If an advertisement is jointly sponsored, the disclosure statement shall include the names of all the sponsors and the candidate shall be the disclosing individual. If more than one candidate is the sponsor, at least one of the candidates shall be the disclosing individual.
2002, c. 487, § 24.2-944; 2004, cc. 55, 457; 2005, c. 369; 2006, cc. 787, 892; 2020, c. 615.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.5 - Political Campaign Advertisements › § 24.2-958.2. Requirements for radio advertisements sponsored by a political committee

It shall be unlawful for a political committee 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 satisfied:
1. A radio 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 committee, containing at least the following words: "This ad was paid for (or 'sponsored by' or 'furnished by') [Name of political action committee]." (ii) The disclosure statement shall last at least two seconds and the statement shall be spoken so that its contents may be easily understood. (iii) The placement of the oral disclosure statement shall also comply with the requirements of the Communications Act of 1934, 47 U.S.C. §§ 315 and 317.
2. 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.
3. 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.
2002, c. 487, § 24.2-944; 2004, cc. 55, 457; 2005, c. 369; 2006, cc. 787, 892.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.5 - Political Campaign Advertisements › § 24.2-958.3. Requirements for radio advertisements sponsored by a person that is not a candidate or political committee

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.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.5 - Political Campaign Advertisements › § 24.2-959. Requirements for campaign telephone calls sponsored by a candidate or candidate campaign committee

It shall be unlawful for any candidate or candidate campaign committee to make campaign telephone calls without disclosing, before the conclusion of each telephone call, information to identify the candidate or candidate campaign committee who has authorized and is paying for the calls unless such call is terminated prematurely by means beyond the maker's control.
The person making the telephone call shall disclose the name of the candidate.
It shall be unlawful for any candidate or candidate campaign committee making campaign telephone calls to intentionally modify the caller identification information of any campaign telephone call for the purpose of misleading the recipient as to the identity of the caller. If the call is made from an automatic dialing-announcing device and caller identification information includes a name associated with the telephone number, then the caller identification information shall include either the name of the candidate or candidate campaign committee as it appears on the statement of organization that has authorized and is paying for the calls, or the vendor conducting the calls on behalf of the candidate or candidate campaign committee. "Automatic dialing-announcing device" means the same as that term is defined in § 59.1-518.1.
It shall also be unlawful (i) for any candidate or candidate campaign committee who contracts for campaign telephone calls to fail to provide to the persons making the telephone calls the identifying information required by this section or (ii) for any person to provide a false or fictitious name or address when providing the identifying information required.
2000, c. 874, § 24.2-1014.1; 2006, cc. 787, 892; 2010, c. 323; 2020, c. 615.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.5 - Political Campaign Advertisements › § 24.2-959.1. Requirements for campaign telephone calls sponsored by a political committee or person other than a candidate or candidate campaign committee

It shall be unlawful for any person or political committee to make campaign telephone calls without disclosing, before the conclusion of each telephone call, information to identify the person or political committee who has authorized and is paying for the calls unless such call is terminated prematurely by means beyond the maker's control.
The person making the telephone call shall disclose the following identifying information: the name of the political committee if the calls are authorized by that committee or an agent of that committee; and in the case of a committee that has filed a statement of organization under Chapter 9.3 (§ 24.2-945 et seq.), the full name of the committee and a registration number provided by the State Board; or in any other case, the full name and residence address of the individual responsible for the campaign telephone calls.
It shall be unlawful for any person, corporation, or political committee making campaign telephone calls to intentionally modify the caller identification information for the purpose of misleading the recipient as to the identity of the caller. If the call is made from an automatic dialing-announcing device and caller identification information includes a name associated with the telephone number, then the caller identification information shall include either the name of the person, corporation, or political committee that has authorized and is paying for the calls or the vendor conducting the calls on behalf of the person, corporation, or political committee. "Automatic dialing-announcing device" means the same as that term is defined in § 59.1-518.1.
It shall also be unlawful (i) for any person who contracts for campaign telephone calls to fail to provide to the persons making the telephone calls the identifying information required by this section or (ii) for any person to provide a false or fictitious name or address when providing the identifying information required.
2000, c. 874, § 24.2-1014.1; 2006, cc. 787, 892; 2010, c. 323.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.5 - Political Campaign Advertisements › § 24.2-960. Identification and certification by online political advertisers

A. Prior to purchasing an online political advertisement from or promoting an online political advertisement on an online platform, a person shall identify himself to the online platform as an online political advertiser and certify to the online platform that he is permitted under state and local laws to lawfully purchase or promote for a fee online political advertisements.
B. An online platform shall establish reasonable procedures to enable online political advertisers to comply with the identification and certification requirements of subsection A.
C. An online platform may rely in good faith on the information provided by online political advertisers under this section when selling online political advertisements to online political advertisers.
2020, c. 551.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 10 - Election Offenses Generally; Penalties › § 24.2-1000. Intimidation of officers of election

Any person who, by bribery, intimidation, threats, coercion, or other means in violation of the election laws willfully hinders or prevents, or attempts to hinder or prevent, the officers of election at any polling place, voter satellite office, or other location being used by a locality for voting purposes from holding an election is guilty of a Class 5 felony.
Code 1950, § 24-191; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-264; 1993, c. 641; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 528, 533.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 10 - Election Offenses Generally; Penalties › § 24.2-1001. Willful neglect or corrupt conduct

A. If any officer of election, member of an electoral board, or other person on whom any duty is enjoined by law relative to any election, is guilty of willful neglect of his duty, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
B. If any person listed in subsection A is guilty of any corrupt conduct in the execution of his duty, he shall be guilty of a Class 5 felony.
Code 1950, § 24-212; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-266; 1991, c. 710; 1993, c. 641.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 10 - Election Offenses Generally; Penalties › § 24.2-1002. Interference with registration

Any person who, by threats or force, interferes with or attempts to interfere with (i) any registrar in the discharge of his duty, (ii) any person applying to register or declining to apply to register, or (iii) any person going to or leaving a registration location as defined in Article 3 (§ 24.2-411 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of this title or a polling place, or (iv) any person going to or leaving any other location at which persons offer mail applications under Article 3.1 (§ 24.2-416.1 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of this title shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Code 1950, § 24-116; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-265; 1984, c. 480, § 24.1-49.01; 1993, c. 641; 2003, c. 1015.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 10 - Election Offenses Generally; Penalties › § 24.2-1002.01. Destruction of, or failure to mail or deliver, voter registration application; penalty

If any person (i) agrees to mail or deliver a signed voter registration application to the voter registrar or other appropriate person authorized to receive the application and (ii) intentionally interferes with the applicant's effort to register either by destroying the application or by failing to mail or deliver the application in a timely manner, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The mailing or delivery of an application shall be deemed timely for the purposes of this section if it is mailed or delivered within 10 days of the applicant's signature or in accordance with the provisions of § 24.2-416.4 for processing before the closing of the registration records for the pending election whichever comes first. This section shall not apply to any state or local government employee acting in his official capacity. If any person intentionally solicits multiple registrations from any one person or intentionally falsifies a registration application, he shall be guilty of a Class 5 felony.
1997, c. 337; 2005, cc. 339, 412; 2013, c. 465.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 10 - Election Offenses Generally; Penalties › § 24.2-1002.1. Unlawful disclosure or use of social security number or part thereof

Any person who discloses or makes any use of the social security number, or any part thereof, of any applicant for voter registration, except as authorized by law for official use, shall be guilty of a Class 5 felony.
1996, cc. 72, 73; 2007, c. 318.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 10 - Election Offenses Generally; Penalties › § 24.2-1003. Campaigning at registration locations

Any person who gives or tenders any campaign materials to, or solicits or attempts to influence the vote of, any person while he is at any registration location as defined in Article 3 (§ 24.2-411 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of this title knowing that such person is there for the purpose of registration, shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the distribution of campaign materials outside any building in which a registration activity is being conducted.
1984, c. 480, § 24.1-49.01; 1993, c. 641; 2003, c. 1015.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 10 - Election Offenses Generally; Penalties › § 24.2-1004. Illegal voting and registrations

A. Any person who wrongfully deposits a ballot in the ballot container or casts a vote on any voting equipment, is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
B. Any person who intentionally (i) votes more than once in the same election, whether those votes are cast in Virginia or in Virginia and any other state or territory of the United States, (ii) procures, assists, or induces another to vote more than once in the same election, whether those votes are cast in Virginia or in Virginia and any other state or territory of the United States, (iii) votes knowing that he is not qualified to vote where and when the vote is to be given, or (iv) procures, assists, or induces another to vote knowing that such person is not qualified to vote where and when the vote is to be given is guilty of a Class 6 felony.
C. Any person who intentionally (i) registers to vote at more than one residence address at the same time, whether such registrations are in Virginia or in Virginia and any other state or territory of the United States, or (ii) procures, assists, or induces another to register to vote at more than one address at the same time, whether such registrations are in Virginia or in Virginia and any other state or territory of the United States, is guilty of a Class 6 felony. This subsection shall not apply to any person who, when registering to vote, changing the address at which he is registered, transferring his registration, or assisting another in registering, changing his address, or transferring his registration, provides the information required by § 24.2-418 on the applicant's place of last previous registration to vote.
D. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a covered voter, as defined in § 24.2-452, from casting in the same election both a state ballot and a write-in absentee ballot that is processed in the manner provided by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. § 20301 et seq.). If both ballots are received prior to the close of the polls on election day, the state ballot shall be counted.
Code 1950, §§ 24-450, 24-451; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-268; 1993, c. 641; 2001, c. 636; 2003, c. 1015; 2009, cc. 865, 870, 874; 2012, cc. 652, 667; 2019, cc. 668, 669; 2020, cc. 1149, 1151, 1201.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 10 - Election Offenses Generally; Penalties › § 24.2-1005. Intimidation of voters; civil cause of action

A. Any person who intimidates, threatens, or coerces, or attempts to intimidate, threaten, or coerce, any other person in giving his vote or ballot or who intimidates, threatens, or coerces, or attempts to intimidate, threaten, or coerce a voter to deter or prevent him from voting is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
B. In addition to the criminal penalty provided in subsection A, such actions shall also create a cause of action. A voter who is intimidated, threatened, or coerced by another person in violation of subsection A shall be entitled to institute an action for preventative relief, including an application for a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or other order, against such person. The action shall be instituted in the circuit court of the locality where the violation occurred. In any such action, the court may, in its discretion, allow a private plaintiff a reasonable attorney fee as part of the costs, if such plaintiff is the prevailing party.
C. This section applies to any election and to any method used by a political party for selection of its nominees and for selection of delegates to its conventions and meetings.
1970, c. 462, § 24.1-271; 1993, c. 641; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 528, 533.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 10 - Election Offenses Generally; Penalties › § 24.2-1005.1. Communication of false information to registered voter

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to communicate to a registered voter, by any means, false information, knowing the same to be false, intended to impede the voter in the exercise of his right to vote. The provisions of this section shall apply to information only about the date, time, and place of the election, or the voter's precinct, polling place, or voter registration status, or the location of a voter satellite office or the office of the general registrar.
B. Any person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Such violation may be prosecuted either in the jurisdiction from which the communication was made or in the jurisdiction in which the communication was received.
C. In addition to the criminal penalty provided in subsection B, a violation of the provisions of this section shall also create a cause of action. A registered voter to whom such false information is communicated shall be entitled to institute an action for preventative relief, including an application for a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or other order, against the person communicating such false information. The action shall be instituted in the circuit court of either the jurisdiction from which the communication was made or the jurisdiction in which the communication was received. In any such action, the court may, in its discretion, allow a private plaintiff a reasonable attorney fee as part of the costs, if such plaintiff is the prevailing party.
2007, c. 313; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 528, 533.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 10 - Election Offenses Generally; Penalties › § 24.2-1005.2. Interference with voting

A. Any person acting under the color of law who, contrary to an official policy or procedure, fails to permit, or refuses to permit, a qualified voter to vote, or who willfully fails or refuses to tabulate, count, or report the vote of a qualified voter, is subject to a civil penalty in an amount not exceeding $1,000 for each affected voter. Such civil penalties shall be payable to the Voter Education and Outreach Fund established pursuant to § 24.2-131.
B. Any person who furnishes a ballot to a person who he knows cannot understand the language in which the ballot is printed and misinforms him as to the content of the ballot with an intent to deceive him and induce him to vote contrary to his desire is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Any person who changes a ballot of a person to prevent the person from voting as he desires is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. This subsection applies to any election and to any method used by a political party for selection of its nominees and for selection of delegates to its conventions and meetings.
2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 528, 533.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 10 - Election Offenses Generally; Penalties › § 24.2-1006. Advice or assistance in casting ballot

Except as provided by § 24.2-649, no person shall directly or indirectly advise or assist any voter as to how he shall cast his ballot after the voter has entered the prohibited area at the polls as designated in § 24.2-604. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Code 1950, § 24-237; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-267; 1993, c. 641.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 10 - Election Offenses Generally; Penalties › § 24.2-1007. Soliciting or accepting bribe to influence or procure vote

No person shall solicit or accept directly or indirectly any money or any thing of value to influence his or another's vote in any election. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
This section applies to any election and to any method used by a political party for selection of its nominees and for selection of delegates to its conventions and meetings.
Code 1950, §§ 24-405, 24-452; 1952, c. 4; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-272; 1976, c. 616; 1993, c. 641.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 10 - Election Offenses Generally; Penalties › § 24.2-1008. Selling, giving away, or counterfeiting ballots

Any person who (i) wrongfully sells or gives to any person an official ballot or copy or a facsimile of or device or plate used to reproduce such ballot or (ii) counterfeits or attempts to counterfeit the official ballot or the seal used on that ballot, shall be guilty of a Class 5 felony.
Code 1950, § 24-239; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-270; 1991, c. 710; 1993, c. 641.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 10 - Election Offenses Generally; Penalties › § 24.2-1009. Stealing or tampering with ballot containers, voting or registration equipment, software, records or documents

Any person who (i) steals or willfully, fraudulently, or wrongfully tampers with any part of any ballot container, voting or registration equipment, records, or documents, which are used in any way within the registration or election process, (ii) steals or willfully, fraudulently, or wrongfully tampers with the software used to prepare and operate voting equipment or the software or hardware used to collect and disseminate election returns, (iii) steals or willfully, fraudulently, or wrongfully tampers with an electronic activation device or electronic data storage medium of the type used to prepare, operate or back-up electronic voting equipment, (iv) willfully, fraudulently, or wrongfully intercepts, alters or disrupts the electronic transmission of election returns or the posting of returns on the Internet, (v) fraudulently makes any entry, deletion, or alteration to any item listed in (i), or (vi) aids, abets, or permits any other person to violate the provisions of clauses (i) through (v), shall be guilty of a Class 5 felony.
Code 1950, §§ 24-318, 24-404; 1952, c. 4; 1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-273, 24.1-275; 1981, c. 425; 1991, c. 710; 1993, c. 641; 2003, c. 1015; 2004, cc. 993, 1010.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 10 - Election Offenses Generally; Penalties › § 24.2-1010. Unauthorized possession or duplication of voting equipment key or electronic activation device

Any unauthorized person found in possession of any voting equipment key or electronic activation device of the type used to prepare or operate voting equipment or any unauthorized person who duplicates a voting equipment key or electronic activation device shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Code 1950, § 24-318; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-275; 1991, c. 710; 1993, c. 641; 2004, cc. 993, 1010.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 10 - Election Offenses Generally; Penalties › § 24.2-1011. Ballot not to be carried away

It shall be unlawful for any person to carry the official ballot furnished him by the officers of the election further than the voting booth, and should he, after receiving the ballot, conclude not to vote, he shall immediately return the ballot to the officers. Any person who (i) carries an official ballot or copy thereof beyond or away from the voting booth, except to the officers of election, or (ii) votes any ballot except the ballot received from the officers of election, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Code 1950, § 24-236; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-269; 1993, c. 641.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 10 - Election Offenses Generally; Penalties › § 24.2-1012. Offenses as to absent voters

Any person who knowingly aids or abets or attempts to aid or abet a violation of the absentee voting procedures prescribed in § 24.2-649 and Chapter 7 (§ 24.2-700 et seq.) shall be guilty of a Class 5 felony.
Any person attempting to vote by fraudulently signing the name of a qualified voter shall be guilty of forgery and shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony.
Any public official who knowingly violates any of the provisions of the law concerning absent voters and thereby aids in any way the illegal casting, or attempting to cast a vote, or who connives to nullify any provisions of this chapter in order that fraud may be perpetrated, shall forever be disqualified from holding office in the Commonwealth and shall forever be disqualified from exercising the right of franchise.
Code 1950, § 24-345; 1956, c. 382; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-274; 1993, c. 641; 2006, c. 242.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 10 - Election Offenses Generally; Penalties › § 24.2-1015. Conspiracy against rights of citizens under this title

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.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 10 - Election Offenses Generally; Penalties › § 24.2-1016. False statements; penalties

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.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 10 - Election Offenses Generally; Penalties › § 24.2-1017. Penalties when not specifically provided elsewhere

Any conduct made unlawful by this title, for which no punishment has been otherwise provided, shall be a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Code 1950, § 24-455; 1970, c. 462, § 280; 1993, c. 641.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 10 - Election Offenses Generally; Penalties › § 24.2-1018. Immunity of witnesses

No witness called by the court or attorney for the Commonwealth and giving evidence for the prosecution, either before a grand jury or the court in any prosecution under this title, shall ever be proceeded against for any offense made penal by the provisions of this title and committed by him at or in connection with the events germane to the matter being prosecuted; but such witness shall be compelled to testify, and for refusing to answer questions, he may be punished for contempt by the court.
Code 1950, § 24-449; 1954, c. 347; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-281; 1993, c. 641.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 10 - Election Offenses Generally; Penalties › § 24.2-1019. Complaints and allegations concerning election law offenses

Any complaint or allegation concerning unlawful conduct under this title shall be filed with the attorney for the Commonwealth of the county or city in which the alleged violation occurred. In the case of a complaint or allegation concerning the filing of a false statement in a voter registration application, the violation shall be deemed to have occurred in the county or city where the applicant sought to be registered.
1983, c. 461, § 24.1-282; 1993, c. 641; 1999, c. 374.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 25.1 - Eminent Domain › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › § 25.1-101. Condemnation by state institutions

A. Any state institution may acquire by condemnation title to (i) land, (ii) any easement thereover or (iii) any sand, earth, gravel, water or other necessary material for the purpose of opening, constructing, repairing or maintaining a road or for any other authorized public undertaking; however, such acquisition by condemnation shall only be commenced if the terms of purchase cannot be agreed upon or the owner (a) is unknown, (b) cannot with reasonable diligence be found within this Commonwealth or (c) cannot negotiate an agreement or convey legal title to the property because the owner is a person under a disability.
B. Condemnation proceedings authorized by subsection A shall be conducted under the provisions of Chapter 2 (§ 25.1-200 et seq.) of this title insofar as applicable.
Code 1950, § 25-232; 1964, c. 291, § 25-232.01; 1980, c. 559; 1986, c. 117; 2003, c. 940.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 25.1 - Eminent Domain › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › § 25.1-102. Condemnation of property of corporations possessing power of eminent domain

A. Except as provided in §§ 15.2-1906 and 15.2-2146, no (i) corporation or (ii) electric authority created under the provisions of Chapter 54 (§ 15.2-5400 et seq.) of Title 15.2 shall file a petition to take by condemnation proceedings any property belonging to any other corporation possessing the power of eminent domain, unless, after notice to all parties in interest and an opportunity for a hearing, the State Corporation Commission shall certify that a public necessity or that an essential public convenience shall so require, and shall give its permission thereto; and in no event shall one corporation take by condemnation proceedings any property owned by and essential to the purposes of another corporation possessing the power of eminent domain. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a locality exercising the powers granted by § 15.2-2109 or § 15.2-2115 shall be subject to the provisions of this section to the same extent as are corporations, unless otherwise provided in § 15.2-1906 or § 15.2-2146.
B. If the State Corporation Commission gives its permission to a condemnation, the Commission shall establish for use in any condemnation proceeding whether any payment for stranded investment is appropriate and, if so, the amount of such payment and any conditions thereof.
C. Any condemnor that is authorized to use the procedure set out in Chapter 3 (§ 25.1-300 et seq.) of this title by a provision that incorporates such procedure by reference shall, in using such procedure, be subject to the provisions of this section to the same extent as are corporations, unless the provision specifically provides that this section shall not apply to such condemnor's use of such procedure.
Code 1919, § 3832; 1996, c. 619, § 25-233; 1999, cc. 484, 531; 2003, c. 940.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 25.1 - Eminent Domain › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › § 25.1-103. Condemnation of lands of state institutions

Without the consent of the General Assembly, no condemnor shall be authorized to condemn or acquire any lands belonging to, attached to the site, or used for the purposes of any state institution.
Code 1919, § 4384; Code 1950, §§ 25-45, 25-46; 1962, c. 426, § 25-46.6; 2003, c. 940.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 25.1 - Eminent Domain › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › § 25.1-104. Condemnation of lands of private educational institutions for highway purposes

No lands of any private, nonprofit institution of higher education in the Commonwealth approved to confer degrees pursuant to Article 3 (§ 23.1-213 et seq.) of Chapter 2 of Title 23.1 that, at the time proceedings are instituted, (i) are located within 500 feet of any building erected and used for school purposes or (ii) surround the school buildings and are used as a campus, park, or athletic ground or field, shall be subject to condemnation for the purposes of public highways.
Code 1919, § 4384; Code 1950, §§ 25-45, 25-46; 1962, c. 426, § 25-46.6; 2003, c. 940.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 25.1 - Eminent Domain › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › § 25.1-105. Condemnation of cemeteries

Nothing in this title shall be construed to authorize the condemnation of property of any cemetery or burial ground, or any part thereof. The authority to condemn any cemetery or burial ground shall be specifically as provided by law.
Code 1919, § 4384; Code 1950, §§ 25-45, 25-46; 1962, c. 426, § 25-46.6; 2003, c. 940.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 25.1 - Eminent Domain › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › § 25.1-106. Condemnation of lands within agricultural and forestal districts

No property that is within an agricultural and forestal district as provided by Chapter 43 (§ 15.2-4300 et seq.) of Title 15.2 shall be condemned except in accordance with §§ 15.2-4312 and 15.2-4313.
1977, c. 681, § 25-46.2:2; 2003, c. 940.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 25.1 - Eminent Domain › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › § 25.1-107. Condemnation of lands within adopted conservation or redevelopment plans

A. After the adoption of a conservation or redevelopment plan pursuant to Article 7 (§ 36-48 et seq.) of Chapter 1 of Title 36, should any property located within the area of the conservation or redevelopment plan be downzoned without the expressed consent of the property owner and should the locality initiate condemnation proceedings against that owner after any such downzoning, the date of valuation shall be the date of adoption of the conservation or redevelopment plan. However, if the owner of the property on the date of the downzoning no longer owns the property on the date condemnation proceedings are initiated, then the date of valuation shall be the date of the filing of the petition for a condemnation or a certificate pursuant to Chapter 3 of this title, as the case may be.
B. If property located within a conservation or redevelopment plan adopted pursuant to Article 7 (§ 36-48 et seq.) of Chapter 1 of Title 36 was downzoned without the expressed consent of the property owner within a period of five years prior to the adoption of the conservation or redevelopment plan and if such downzoning was not part of a comprehensive rezoning of the locality, then, if the locality should initiate condemnation proceedings within five years after the adoption of the conservation or redevelopment plan against the same owner who owned the property at the time of the downzoning, the date of valuation shall be the day before the date the property was downzoned. However, if the owner of the property on the date condemnation proceedings are initiated is not the same owner on the date the property is downzoned, then the date of valuation shall be the date of the filing of a petition for condemnation or a certificate pursuant to Chapter 3 (§ 25.1-300 et seq.) of this title, as the case may be.
C. Where the date of valuation in condemnation proceedings governed by this section predates the date of any downzoning action, the locality may introduce into evidence before the body determining just compensation the estimated difference between the amount of real estate taxes that the owner would have paid had the downzoning not occurred and the amount of real estate taxes assessed against the property since the date of the downzoning and the body determining just compensation may offset the award by that amount.
2004, c. 540.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 25.1 - Eminent Domain › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › § 25.1-109. Condemnation of lands for compensatory mitigation of wetlands

When authorization is required by federal or state law for any project affecting wetlands and the authorization is conditioned upon compensatory mitigation for adverse impacts to wetlands, no condemnor shall acquire through exercise of the power of eminent domain any property to satisfy such condition unless: (i) the property sought to be acquired is located within the same locality as the project affecting wetlands, or (ii) the governing body of the locality where the property sought to be acquired consents to its acquisition for such purpose. This section shall not apply to property acquired by the Commissioner of Highways pursuant to Title 33.2.
2005, c. 311.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 25.1 - Eminent Domain › Chapter 2 - Condemnation Procedures › § 25.1-200. Chapter controls condemnation proceedings

Unless otherwise specifically provided by law, all proceedings for the condemnation of property under the power of eminent domain shall be brought and conducted according to the provisions of this chapter.
1962, c. 426, § 25-46.2; 2003, c. 940.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 25.1 - Eminent Domain › Chapter 2 - Condemnation Procedures › § 25.1-201. Jurisdiction of condemnation proceedings

Jurisdiction of proceedings to condemn property under this chapter shall be in the circuit court of the county or city wherein such property, or the greater portion thereof proposed to be condemned is situated, unless otherwise specifically provided by law.
Code 1919, § 4361; Code 1950, § 25-2; 1962, c. 426, § 25-46.4; 2003, c. 940.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 25.1 - Eminent Domain › Chapter 2 - Condemnation Procedures › § 25.1-205. Commencement of proceedings

A. Proceedings for condemnation shall be initiated by filing a petition complying with the requirements of § 25.1-206 in the court.
B. A public utility shall not be required, as a prerequisite to its filing of its petition for the condemnation of property necessary for ordinary extensions or improvements of its facilities within the territory in which it is lawfully authorized to operate, for use in public utility service, to obtain a certificate from the State Corporation Commission under the Utility Facilities Act, Chapter 10.1 (§ 56-265.1 et seq.) of Title 56. This subsection shall not be construed to exempt a public utility from the requirements of § 25.1-102 when the condemnation would take property of another corporation possessing the power of eminent domain.
Code 1919, §§ 4364, 4365; Code 1950, §§ 25-8, 25-9, 25-10; 1962, c. 426, §§ 25-46.7, 25-46.9; 1975, c. 189; 1980, c. 441; 1981, c. 316; 1991, c. 520; 2000, c. 1029; 2003, c. 940.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 25.1 - Eminent Domain › Chapter 2 - Condemnation Procedures › § 25.1-205.1. Mandatory dispute resolution orientation session

Following the filing of a petition initiating a condemnation proceeding, the court shall refer the matter to a dispute resolution orientation as provided in § 8.01-576.5. The court shall set a date for the parties to return to court in accordance with its regular docket and procedure, irrespective of the referral to an orientation session. The parties shall notify the court, in writing, if the dispute is resolved prior to the return date.
Upon such referral, the parties shall attend one orientation session. Further participation in a dispute resolution proceeding shall be by consent of all parties. Attorneys for any party may be present during a dispute resolution proceeding.
2006, c. 415.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 25.1 - Eminent Domain › Chapter 2 - Condemnation Procedures › § 25.1-206. Petition for condemnation

The petition for condemnation shall contain:
1. A caption wherein the person vested by law with power to exercise the right of eminent domain shall be the petitioner, and the named defendants shall be at least one of the owners of some part of or an interest in the property to be taken or damaged, and the property to be taken designated generally by kind, quantity and location.
2. Short and plain statements of the following:
a. The authority for the taking;
b. The necessity for the work or improvements to be made;
c. The public uses for which the property is to be taken;
d. A description of the work or improvements to be made; and if (i) only a portion of the property is to be taken or (ii) any other property will or is likely to be damaged as the result of the taking, a plat, drawing or plan, in sufficient detail to disclose fairly the nature of such work or improvements, including specifications, elevations and grade changes, if any, so as to enable the owner of such property to be reasonably informed of the nature, extent and effect of such taking and the construction and operation of such works and improvements, shall be attached as an exhibit to the petition;
e. The estate, interest or rights in the property to be taken;
f. A description of the property to be taken sufficient for its identification and a plan or plat of the land to be taken shall be attached as an exhibit to the petition;
g. As to each separate piece of property to be taken or damaged, the names and residences, so far as known by petitioner, of the defendants who are joined as owners of the property, or of some interest therein, if their names have been ascertained by a reasonably diligent search of the records, considering the character and value of the property involved and the interests to be acquired, or if their names have otherwise been learned; and if the names of other persons or classes of persons to be joined as owners of the property are unknown, such persons may be made defendants under the designation of "Unknown Owners";
h. Compliance with the provisions of § 25.1-204 and the manner of such compliance; and
i. Where applicable, compliance with the provisions of § 25.1-102 and the manner of such compliance.
3. A prayer asking for judgment (i) that the property or the estate, interest or rights therein be condemned and the title thereto vested in the petitioner, (ii) that just compensation be ascertained as provided in § 25.1-230 and awarded, and (iii) for such other relief as may be lawful and proper.
4. The petition shall be verified by affidavit of a duly authorized officer, agent or attorney for the petitioner.
5. The petitioner shall furnish the clerk one copy of the petition and all exhibits thereto and such additional copies of the petition as may reasonably be needed by the clerk or any defendant.
Code 1919, § 4364; Code 1950, §§ 25-8, 25-9; 1962, c. 426, § 25-46.7; 1980, c. 441; 1981, c. 316; 1991, c. 520; 2003, c. 940.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 25.1 - Eminent Domain › Chapter 2 - Condemnation Procedures › § 25.1-207. Inclusion in petition of request for right of entry

The petition may also include (i) facts and circumstances on the basis of which the petitioner desires to obtain the right of entry as provided in § 25.1-223 or as provided in any charter and (ii) a prayer asking for such right of entry.
Code 1919, § 4364; Code 1950, §§ 25-8, 25-9; 1962, c. 426, § 25-46.7; 1980, c. 441; 1981, c. 316; 1991, c. 520; 2003, c. 940.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 25.1 - Eminent Domain › Chapter 2 - Condemnation Procedures › § 25.1-208. Joinder of separate parcels

The same petition may join one or more separate pieces, tracts, parcels or lots of land, whether in the same or different ownership and whether or not sought for the same use; however, the court, on its own motion or on motion of any party in furtherance of convenience or to avoid prejudice, may order a severance and separate trial of any claim or claims or of any issue or issues.
Code 1919, § 4364; Code 1950, §§ 25-8, 25-9; 1962, c. 426, § 25-46.7; 1980, c. 441; 1981, c. 316; 1991, c. 520; 2003, c. 940.