{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/24.2-114.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/24.2-114.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/24.2-114.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/24.2-114.html"}],"law_id":68918,"edition_id":1,"section_id":68918,"structure_id":16137,"section_number":"24.2-114","catch_line":"Duties and powers of general registrar","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 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, \u00a7\u00a7 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.","full_text":"In addition to the other duties required by this title, the general registrar, and the deputy registrars acting under his supervision, shall:\n\n1\n\nMaintain 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\n\nParticipate 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\n\nPerform 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\n\nProvide 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\n\nIndicate 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\n\nAccept 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\n\nPreserve 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\n\nMaintain 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\n\nIf 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\n\nVerify 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\n\nRetain the pollbooks in his principal office for two years from the date of the election.12\n\nMaintain accurate and current registration records and comply with the requirements of this title for the transfer, inactivation, and cancellation of voter registrations.13\n\nWhenever 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\n\nWhenever 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\n\nWhen 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\n\nWhenever 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\n\nAt 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\n\nCarry 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\n\nReceive 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.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":249496,"text":"In addition to the other duties required by this title, the general registrar, and the deputy registrars acting under his supervision, shall:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":249497,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":249498,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":249499,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":249500,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":249501,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":249502,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5","next_prefix":"7"},"7":{"id":249503,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"7","prefix_anchor":"7","level":1,"prior_prefix":"6","next_prefix":"8"},"8":{"id":249504,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"8","prefix_anchor":"8","level":1,"prior_prefix":"7","next_prefix":"9"},"9":{"id":249505,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"9","prefix_anchor":"9","level":1,"prior_prefix":"8","next_prefix":"10"},"10":{"id":249506,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["10"],"prefix":"10","entire_prefix":"10","prefix_anchor":"10","level":1,"prior_prefix":"9","next_prefix":"11"},"11":{"id":249507,"text":"Retain the pollbooks in his principal office for two years from the date of the election.","type":"section","prefixes":["11"],"prefix":"11","entire_prefix":"11","prefix_anchor":"11","level":1,"prior_prefix":"10","next_prefix":"12"},"12":{"id":249508,"text":"Maintain accurate and current registration records and comply with the requirements of this title for the transfer, inactivation, and cancellation of voter registrations.","type":"section","prefixes":["12"],"prefix":"12","entire_prefix":"12","prefix_anchor":"12","level":1,"prior_prefix":"11","next_prefix":"13"},"13":{"id":249509,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["13"],"prefix":"13","entire_prefix":"13","prefix_anchor":"13","level":1,"prior_prefix":"12","next_prefix":"14"},"14":{"id":249510,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["14"],"prefix":"14","entire_prefix":"14","prefix_anchor":"14","level":1,"prior_prefix":"13","next_prefix":"15"},"15":{"id":249511,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["15"],"prefix":"15","entire_prefix":"15","prefix_anchor":"15","level":1,"prior_prefix":"14","next_prefix":"16"},"16":{"id":249512,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["16"],"prefix":"16","entire_prefix":"16","prefix_anchor":"16","level":1,"prior_prefix":"15","next_prefix":"17"},"17":{"id":249513,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["17"],"prefix":"17","entire_prefix":"17","prefix_anchor":"17","level":1,"prior_prefix":"16","next_prefix":"18"},"18":{"id":249514,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["18"],"prefix":"18","entire_prefix":"18","prefix_anchor":"18","level":1,"prior_prefix":"17","next_prefix":"19"},"19":{"id":249515,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["19"],"prefix":"19","entire_prefix":"19","prefix_anchor":"19","level":1,"prior_prefix":"18"}},"ancestry":[{"id":16137,"edition_id":1,"name":"Registrars","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13929,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 04:07:18","date_modified":"2026-06-26 04:07:18","permalink":{"id":187239,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":16137,"identifier":"4","token":"24.2\/1\/4","url":"\/24.2\/1\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13929,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions and Administration","identifier":"1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12937,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:19","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:19","permalink":{"id":187151,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13929,"identifier":"1","token":"24.2\/1","url":"\/24.2\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12937,"edition_id":1,"name":"Elections","identifier":"24.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:03","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:03","permalink":{"id":187149,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12937,"identifier":"24.2","token":"24.2","url":"\/24.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":64062,"structure_id":16137,"section_number":"24.2-110","catch_line":"Appointment, qualifications, and term of general registrar; vacancies; certain prohibitions","url":"\/24.2-110\/","token":"24.2\/1\/4\/24.2-110","metadata":false},{"id":74821,"structure_id":16137,"section_number":"24.2-111","catch_line":"Compensation and expenses of general registrars","url":"\/24.2-111\/","token":"24.2\/1\/4\/24.2-111","metadata":false},{"id":83687,"structure_id":16137,"section_number":"24.2-112","catch_line":"Deputy registrars; employees","url":"\/24.2-112\/","token":"24.2\/1\/4\/24.2-112","metadata":false},{"id":85301,"structure_id":16137,"section_number":"24.2-113","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/24.2-113\/","token":"24.2\/1\/4\/24.2-113","metadata":false},{"id":68918,"structure_id":16137,"section_number":"24.2-114","catch_line":"Duties and powers of general registrar","url":"\/24.2-114\/","token":"24.2\/1\/4\/24.2-114","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":85301,"structure_id":16137,"section_number":"24.2-113","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/24.2-113\/","token":"24.2\/1\/4\/24.2-113","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/24.2-114\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 28 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1958, chapter 576; in 1962, chapters 422 and 536; in 1968, chapter 143; in 1970, chapter 462; in 1972, chapter 620; in 1973, chapter 30; in 1974, chapter 428; in 1976, chapter 616; in 1979, chapter 329; in 1980, chapter 639; in 1982, chapter 650; in 1983, chapter 398; in 1984, chapter 480; in 1986, chapter 558; in 1990, chapter 193; in 1993, chapter 641; in 1996, chapters 72<\/a> and 73<\/a>; in 1998, chapter 354<\/a>; in 2000, chapters 512<\/a>, 556<\/a>, and 857<\/a>; in 2003, chapter 1015<\/a>; in 2005, chapter 380<\/a>; in 2010, chapter 812<\/a>; in 2013, chapter 491<\/a>; in 2015, chapters 644<\/a> and 645<\/a>; in 2016, chapters 13<\/a> and 633<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 341<\/a>; in 2020, chapters 857<\/a> and 1148<\/a>; in 2022, chapter 140<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":59682,"section_number":"15.2-3226","catch_line":"Redistricting and elections in city or town following annexation; registration and transfer of registration of voters in annexed territory","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3226\/"},{"id":57375,"section_number":"15.2-3240","catch_line":"Transfer of registration records","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3240\/"},{"id":73019,"section_number":"15.2-3604","catch_line":"How first election ordered and held","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3604\/"},{"id":62813,"section_number":"15.2-3831","catch_line":"Registrars and their duties","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3831\/"},{"id":61543,"section_number":"24.2-101","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-101\/"},{"id":56385,"section_number":"24.2-418","catch_line":"Application for registration","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-418\/"},{"id":65741,"section_number":"24.2-444","catch_line":"Duties of general registrars and Department of Elections as to voter registration records; public inspection; exceptions","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-444\/"},{"id":56440,"section_number":"24.2-653.01","catch_line":"Provisional ballots; electoral boards to make determination as to validity","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-653.01\/"},{"id":64679,"section_number":"24.2-668","catch_line":"Pollbooks, statements of results, and ballots to be sealed and delivered to clerk or general registrar","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-668\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":79439,"section_number":"24.2-103","catch_line":"Powers and duties in general; report","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-103\/"},{"id":70213,"section_number":"24.2-400","catch_line":"Persons entitled to register and vote","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-400\/"},{"id":85757,"section_number":"24.2-405","catch_line":"Lists of registered voters","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-405\/"},{"id":61828,"section_number":"24.2-406","catch_line":"Lists of persons voting at elections","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-406\/"},{"id":72189,"section_number":"24.2-416","catch_line":"Closing registration records before elections","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-416\/"},{"id":57278,"section_number":"24.2-416.1","catch_line":"Voter registration by mail","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-416.1\/"}],"permalink":{"id":187257,"object_type":"law","relational_id":68918,"identifier":"24.2-114","token":"24.2\/1\/4\/24.2-114","url":"\/24.2-114\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/24.2-114\/","token":"24.2\/1\/4\/24.2-114","dublin_core":{"Title":"Duties and powers of general registrar","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 24.2-114","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

In addition to the other duties required by this title, the general registrar<\/span>, and the deputy registrars acting under his supervision, shall:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Maintain the office of the general registrar<\/span> and establish and maintain additional public places for voter registration in accordance with the provisions of § 24.2-412<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> 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. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> 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<\/span>, participate in multijurisdictional staffing for voter registration offices, approved by the State Board<\/span>, that are located at facilities of the Department<\/span> of Motor Vehicles. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> 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<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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

6.<\/span> 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<\/span> and shall forward the completed application or request to the registrar of the applicant’s residence<\/span>. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 24.2-416<\/a>, the registrar of the applicant’s residence<\/span> 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<\/a> et seq.), prior to or on the final day of registration. The registrar of the applicant’s residence<\/span> shall determine the qualification of the applicant, including whether the applicant has ever been convicted of a felony<\/span>, 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. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> Preserve order<\/span> 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<\/span>. 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<\/span>, it is necessary to preserve order<\/span>. The general registrar<\/span> and any deputy registrar shall be authorized to administer oaths<\/span> for purposes of this title. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> Maintain the official registration records<\/span> for his county or city in the system approved by, and in accordance with the instructions of, the State Board<\/span>; 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. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> 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<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

10.<\/span> Verify the accuracy of the pollbooks provided for each election<\/span> by the State Board<\/span>, make the pollbooks available to the precincts<\/span>, and according to the instructions of the State Board<\/span> provide a copy of the data from the pollbooks to the State Board<\/span> after each election<\/span> for voting credit purposes. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

11.<\/span> Retain the pollbooks in his principal office for two years from the date of the election<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

12.<\/span> Maintain accurate and current registration records<\/span> and comply with the requirements of this title for the transfer, inactivation, and cancellation of voter registrations. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

13.<\/span> Whenever election districts<\/span>, precincts<\/span>, or polling places<\/span> are altered, provide for entry into the voter registration system<\/span> of the proper district and precinct<\/span> designations for each registered voter<\/span> whose districts or precinct<\/span> have changed and notify each affected voter of changes affecting his districts or polling place<\/span> by mail. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

14.<\/span> Whenever any part of his county or city becomes part of another jurisdiction<\/span> by annexation, merger, or other means, transfer to the appropriate general registrar<\/span> the registration records<\/span> of the affected registered voters<\/span>. The general registrar<\/span> for their new county or city shall notify them by mail of the transfer and their new election districts<\/span> and polling places<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

15.<\/span> 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<\/span>, the information contained in that person’s registration application. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

16.<\/span> 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. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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

18.<\/span> Carry out such other duties as prescribed by the electoral board<\/span> in his capacity as the director of elections for the locality in which he serves. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

19.<\/span> Receive and maintain certification through the certification program conducted by the State Board<\/span> for general registrars<\/span> pursuant to subsection C of § 24.2-103<\/a>. Each general registrar<\/span> shall be required to receive certification through the certification program within 12 months of his initial appointment or any subsequent reappointment, unless a waiver<\/span> has been granted by the State Board<\/span> pursuant to subsection C of § 24.2-103<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDUTIES AND POWERS OF GENERAL REGISTRAR (\u00a7 24.2-114)\n\nIn addition to the other duties required by this title, the general registrar,\nand the deputy registrars acting under his supervision, shall:\n\n1. Maintain the office of the general registrar and establish and maintain\nadditional public places for voter registration in accordance with the\nprovisions of § 24.2-412.\n\n2. Participate in programs to educate the general public concerning registration\nand encourage registration by the general public. No registrar shall actively\nsolicit, in a selective manner, any application for registration or for a ballot\nor offer anything of value for any such application.\n\n3. Perform his duties within the county or city he was appointed to serve,\nexcept that a registrar may (i) go into a county or city in the Commonwealth\ncontiguous to his county or city to register voters of his county or city when\nconducting registration jointly with the registrar of the contiguous county or\ncity or (ii) notwithstanding any other provision of law, participate in\nmultijurisdictional staffing for voter registration offices, approved by the\nState Board, that are located at facilities of the Department of Motor Vehicles.\n\n4. Provide the appropriate forms for applications to register and to obtain the\ninformation necessary to complete the applications pursuant to the provisions of\nthe Constitution of Virginia and general law.\n\n5. Indicate on the registration records for each accepted mail voter\nregistration application form returned by mail pursuant to Article 3.1 (§\n24.2-416.1 et seq.) of Chapter 4 that the registrant has registered by mail. The\ngeneral registrar shall fulfill this duty in accordance with the instructions of\nthe State Board so that those persons who registered by mail are identified on\nthe registration records, lists of registered voters furnished pursuant to\n§ 24.2-405, lists of persons who voted furnished pursuant to §\n24.2-406, and pollbooks used for the conduct of elections.\n\n6. Accept a registration application or request for transfer or change of\naddress submitted by or for a resident of any other county or city in the\nCommonwealth. Registrars shall process registration applications and requests\nfor transfer or change of address from residents of other counties and cities in\naccordance with written instructions from the State Board and shall forward the\ncompleted application or request to the registrar of the applicant’s\nresidence. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 24.2-416, the registrar of\nthe applicant’s residence shall recognize as timely any application or\nrequest for transfer or change of address submitted to any person authorized to\nreceive voter registration applications pursuant to Chapter 4 (§ 24.2-400\net seq.), prior to or on the final day of registration. The registrar of the\napplicant’s residence shall determine the qualification of the applicant,\nincluding whether the applicant has ever been convicted of a felony, and if so,\nunder what circumstances the applicant’s right to vote has been restored,\nand promptly notify the applicant at the address shown on the application or\nrequest of the acceptance or denial of his registration or transfer. However,\nnotification shall not be required when the registrar does not have an address\nfor the applicant.\n\n7. Preserve order at and in the vicinity of the place of registration. For this\npurpose, the registrar shall be vested with the powers of a conservator of the\npeace while engaged in the duties imposed by law. He may exclude from the place\nof registration persons whose presence disturbs the registration process. He may\nappoint special officers, not exceeding three in number, for a place of\nregistration and may summon persons in the vicinity to assist whenever, in his\njudgment, it is necessary to preserve order. The general registrar and any\ndeputy registrar shall be authorized to administer oaths for purposes of this\ntitle.\n\n8. Maintain the official registration records for his county or city in the\nsystem approved by, and in accordance with the instructions of, the State Board;\npreserve the written applications of all persons who are registered; and\npreserve for a period of four years the written applications of all persons who\nare denied registration or whose registration is cancelled.\n\n9. If a person is denied registration, notify such person in writing of the\ndenial and the reason for denial within five days of the denial in accordance\nwith § 24.2-422.\n\n10. Verify the accuracy of the pollbooks provided for each election by the State\nBoard, make the pollbooks available to the precincts, and according to the\ninstructions of the State Board provide a copy of the data from the pollbooks to\nthe State Board after each election for voting credit purposes.\n\n11. Retain the pollbooks in his principal office for two years from the date of\nthe election.\n\n12. Maintain accurate and current registration records and comply with the\nrequirements of this title for the transfer, inactivation, and cancellation of\nvoter registrations.\n\n13. Whenever election districts, precincts, or polling places are altered,\nprovide for entry into the voter registration system of the proper district and\nprecinct designations for each registered voter whose districts or precinct have\nchanged and notify each affected voter of changes affecting his districts or\npolling place by mail.\n\n14. Whenever any part of his county or city becomes part of another jurisdiction\nby annexation, merger, or other means, transfer to the appropriate general\nregistrar the registration records of the affected registered voters. The\ngeneral registrar for their new county or city shall notify them by mail of the\ntransfer and their new election districts and polling places.\n\n15. When he registers any person who was previously registered in another state,\nnotify the appropriate authority in that state of the person’s\nregistration in Virginia by providing electronically, through the Department of\nElections, the information contained in that person’s registration\napplication.\n\n16. Whenever any person is believed to be registered or voting in more than one\nstate or territory of the United States at the same time, inquire about, or\nprovide information from the voter’s registration and voting records to\nany appropriate voter registration or other authority of another state or\nterritory who inquires about, that person’s registration and voting\nhistory.\n\n17. At the request of the county or city chairman of any political party\nnominating a candidate for the General Assembly, constitutional office, or local\noffice by a method other than a primary, review any petition required by the\nparty in its nomination process to determine whether those signing the petition\nare registered voters with active status.\n\n18. Carry out such other duties as prescribed by the electoral board in his\ncapacity as the director of elections for the locality in which he serves.\n\n19. Receive and maintain certification through the certification program\nconducted by the State Board for general registrars pursuant to subsection C of\n§ 24.2-103. Each general registrar shall be required to receive\ncertification through the certification program within 12 months of his initial\nappointment or any subsequent reappointment, unless a waiver has been granted by\nthe State Board pursuant to subsection C of § 24.2-103.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 24-59, 24-60, 24-60.1, 24-71 through 24-73, 24-90,\n24-93, 24-94, 24-101, 24-111, 24-115, 24-118; 1950, p. 381; 1958, c. 576; 1962,\ncc. 422, 536; 1968, c. 143; 1970, c. 462, \u00a7\u00a7 24.1-46, 24.1-54, 24.1-68; 1972,\nc. 620; 1973, c. 30; 1974, c. 428; 1976, c. 616; 1979, c. 329; 1980, c. 639;\n1982, c. 650; 1983, c. 398; 1984, c. 480; 1986, c. 558; 1990, c. 193; 1993, c.\n641; 1996, cc. 72, 73; 1998, c. 354; 2000, cc. 512, 556, 857; 2003, c. 1015;\n2005, c. 380; 2010, c. 812; 2013, c. 491; 2015, cc. 644, 645; 2016, cc. 13, 633;\n2019, c. 341; 2020, cc. 857, 1148; 2022, c. 140.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}