{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/24.2-404.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/24.2-404.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/24.2-404.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/24.2-404.html"}],"law_id":58519,"edition_id":1,"section_id":58519,"structure_id":13467,"section_number":"24.2-404","catch_line":"Duties of Department of Elections","history":"1970, c. 462, \u00a7 24.1-23; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 119; 1972, c. 620; 1973, c. 30; 1974, cc. 369, 428; 1975, c. 515; 1976, c. 616; 1978, c. 778; 1983, c. 348; 1993, c. 641; 1997, c. 801; 2000, cc. 510, 554; 2003, c. 1015; 2004, c. 428; 2005, c. 378; 2006, cc. 243, 926, 940; 2008, c. 379; 2009, cc. 865, 870, 874; 2011, c. 528; 2012, c. 686; 2013, cc. 425, 686, 725; 2014, c. 452; 2015, c. 740; 2018, c. 460; 2020, cc. 1064, 1065; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 217; 2023, c. 785.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Department of Elections shall provide for the continuing operation and maintenance of a central recordkeeping system, the Virginia voter registration system, for all voters registered in the Commonwealth.\n\t\t\tIn order to operate and maintain the system, the Department shall:1\n\nMaintain a complete, separate, and accurate record of all registered voters in the Commonwealth. Such system shall automatically register a person who has preregistered pursuant to § 24.2-403.1 upon that person becoming eligible for registration under § 24.2-403 or reaching 18 years of age, whichever comes first. Such system shall also assign a unique identifier to each voter registered in the system.2\n\nRequire the general registrars to enter the names of all registered voters into the system and to change or correct registration records as necessary.3\n\nProvide to each general registrar voter confirmation documents for newly registered voters, including voters who were automatically registered pursuant to subdivision 1, and for notice to registered voters on the system of changes and corrections in their registration records and polling places.4\n\nRequire the general registrars to delete from the record of registered voters the name of any voter who (i) is deceased, (ii) is no longer qualified to vote in the county or city where he is registered due to removal of his residence, (iii) has been convicted of a felony, (iv) has been adjudicated incapacitated, (v) is known not to be a United States citizen by reason of reports 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, or (vi) is otherwise no longer qualified to vote as may be provided by law. Such action shall be taken no later than 30 days after notification from the Department. The Department shall promptly provide the information referred to in this subdivision, upon receiving it, to general registrars.5\n\nRetain on the system for four years a separate record for registered voters whose names have been deleted, with the reason for deletion.6\n\nRetain on the system permanently a separate record for information received regarding deaths, felony convictions, and adjudications of incapacity pursuant to §§ 24.2-408 through 24.2-410.7\n\nProvide to each general registrar, at least 16 days prior to a general or primary election and three days prior to a special election, an alphabetical list of all registered voters in each precinct or portion of a precinct in which the election is being held in the county, city, or town. These precinct lists shall be used as the official lists of qualified voters and shall constitute the pollbooks. The Department shall provide instructions for the division of the pollbooks and precinct lists into sections to accommodate the efficient processing of voter lines at the polls. Prior to any general, primary, or special election, the Department shall provide any general registrar, upon his request, with a separate electronic list of all registered voters in the registrar’s county or city. If electronic pollbooks are used in the locality or electronic voter registration inquiry devices are used in precincts in the locality, the Department shall provide a regional or statewide list of registered voters to the general registrar of the locality. The Department shall determine whether regional or statewide data is provided. Neither the pollbook nor the regional or statewide list of registered voters shall include the day and month of birth of the voter, but shall include the voter’s year of birth.8\n\nAcquire by purchase, lease, or contract equipment necessary to execute the duties of the Department.9\n\nUse any source of information that may assist in carrying out the purposes of this section. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall cooperate with the Department in procuring and exchanging identification information for the purpose of maintaining the voter registration system. The Department may share any information that it receives from another agency of the Commonwealth with any Chief Election Officer of another state for the maintenance of the voter registration system.10\n\nCooperate with other states and jurisdictions to develop systems to compare voters, voter history, and voter registration lists to ensure the accuracy of the voter registration rolls, to identify voters whose addresses have changed, to prevent duplication of registration in more than one state or jurisdiction, and to determine eligibility of individuals to vote in Virginia.11\n\nReprint and impose a reasonable charge for the sale of any part of Title 24.2, lists of precincts and polling places, statements of election results by precinct, and any other items required of the Department by law. Receipts from such sales shall be credited to the Board for reimbursement of printing expenses.B\n\nThe Department shall be authorized to provide for the production, distribution, and receipt of information and lists through the Virginia voter registration system by any appropriate means including, but not limited to, paper and electronic means. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.) shall not apply to records about individuals maintained in this system.C\n\nThe State Board shall institute procedures to ensure that each requirement of this section is fulfilled. As part of its procedures, the State Board shall provide that the general registrar shall mail notice of any cancellation pursuant to clause (v) of subdivision A 4 to the person whose registration is cancelled.D\n\nThe State Board shall promulgate rules and regulations to ensure the uniform application of the law for determining a person’s residence.E\n\nThe Department shall apply to participate in the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program (SAVE Program) operated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for the purposes of verifying that voters listed in the Virginia voter registration system are United States citizens. Upon approval of the application, the Department shall enter into any required memorandum of agreement with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The State Board shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the use of the immigration status and citizenship status information received from the SAVE Program.F\n\nThe Department shall report annually by October 1 for the preceding 12 months ending August 31 to the Committees on Privileges and Elections on each of its activities undertaken to maintain the Virginia voter registration system and the results of those activities. The Department’s report shall be governed by the provisions of § 2.2-608 and shall encompass activities undertaken pursuant to subdivisions A 9 and 10 and subsection E and pursuant to §§ 24.2-404.3, 24.2-404.4, 24.2-408, 24.2-409, 24.2-409.1, 24.2-410, 24.2-410.1, 24.2-427, and 24.2-428. This report shall contain the methodology used in gathering and analyzing the data. The Commissioner of Elections shall certify that the data included in the report is accurate and reliable.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":214468,"text":"The Department of Elections shall provide for the continuing operation and maintenance of a central recordkeeping system, the Virginia voter registration system, for all voters registered in the Commonwealth.\n\t\t\tIn order to operate and maintain the system, the Department shall:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":214469,"text":"Maintain a complete, separate, and accurate record of all registered voters in the Commonwealth. Such system shall automatically register a person who has preregistered pursuant to § 24.2-403.1 upon that person becoming eligible for registration under § 24.2-403 or reaching 18 years of age, whichever comes first. Such system shall also assign a unique identifier to each voter registered in the system.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":214470,"text":"Require the general registrars to enter the names of all registered voters into the system and to change or correct registration records as necessary.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":214471,"text":"Provide to each general registrar voter confirmation documents for newly registered voters, including voters who were automatically registered pursuant to subdivision 1, and for notice to registered voters on the system of changes and corrections in their registration records and polling places.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":214472,"text":"Require the general registrars to delete from the record of registered voters the name of any voter who (i) is deceased, (ii) is no longer qualified to vote in the county or city where he is registered due to removal of his residence, (iii) has been convicted of a felony, (iv) has been adjudicated incapacitated, (v) is known not to be a United States citizen by reason of reports 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, or (vi) is otherwise no longer qualified to vote as may be provided by law. Such action shall be taken no later than 30 days after notification from the Department. The Department shall promptly provide the information referred to in this subdivision, upon receiving it, to general registrars.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"A5"},"5":{"id":214473,"text":"Retain on the system for four years a separate record for registered voters whose names have been deleted, with the reason for deletion.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"A5","prefix_anchor":"A5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"A6"},"6":{"id":214474,"text":"Retain on the system permanently a separate record for information received regarding deaths, felony convictions, and adjudications of incapacity pursuant to §§ 24.2-408 through 24.2-410.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"A6","prefix_anchor":"A6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A5","next_prefix":"A7"},"7":{"id":214475,"text":"Provide to each general registrar, at least 16 days prior to a general or primary election and three days prior to a special election, an alphabetical list of all registered voters in each precinct or portion of a precinct in which the election is being held in the county, city, or town. These precinct lists shall be used as the official lists of qualified voters and shall constitute the pollbooks. The Department shall provide instructions for the division of the pollbooks and precinct lists into sections to accommodate the efficient processing of voter lines at the polls. Prior to any general, primary, or special election, the Department shall provide any general registrar, upon his request, with a separate electronic list of all registered voters in the registrar’s county or city. If electronic pollbooks are used in the locality or electronic voter registration inquiry devices are used in precincts in the locality, the Department shall provide a regional or statewide list of registered voters to the general registrar of the locality. The Department shall determine whether regional or statewide data is provided. Neither the pollbook nor the regional or statewide list of registered voters shall include the day and month of birth of the voter, but shall include the voter’s year of birth.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"A7","prefix_anchor":"A7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A6","next_prefix":"A8"},"8":{"id":214476,"text":"Acquire by purchase, lease, or contract equipment necessary to execute the duties of the Department.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"A8","prefix_anchor":"A8","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A7","next_prefix":"A9"},"9":{"id":214477,"text":"Use any source of information that may assist in carrying out the purposes of this section. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall cooperate with the Department in procuring and exchanging identification information for the purpose of maintaining the voter registration system. The Department may share any information that it receives from another agency of the Commonwealth with any Chief Election Officer of another state for the maintenance of the voter registration system.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"A9","prefix_anchor":"A9","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A8","next_prefix":"A10"},"10":{"id":214478,"text":"Cooperate with other states and jurisdictions to develop systems to compare voters, voter history, and voter registration lists to ensure the accuracy of the voter registration rolls, to identify voters whose addresses have changed, to prevent duplication of registration in more than one state or jurisdiction, and to determine eligibility of individuals to vote in Virginia.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","10"],"prefix":"10","entire_prefix":"A10","prefix_anchor":"A10","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A9","next_prefix":"A11"},"11":{"id":214479,"text":"Reprint and impose a reasonable charge for the sale of any part of Title 24.2, lists of precincts and polling places, statements of election results by precinct, and any other items required of the Department by law. Receipts from such sales shall be credited to the Board for reimbursement of printing expenses.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","11"],"prefix":"11","entire_prefix":"A11","prefix_anchor":"A11","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A10","next_prefix":"B"},"12":{"id":214480,"text":"The Department shall be authorized to provide for the production, distribution, and receipt of information and lists through the Virginia voter registration system by any appropriate means including, but not limited to, paper and electronic means. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.) shall not apply to records about individuals maintained in this system.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A11","next_prefix":"C"},"13":{"id":214481,"text":"The State Board shall institute procedures to ensure that each requirement of this section is fulfilled. As part of its procedures, the State Board shall provide that the general registrar shall mail notice of any cancellation pursuant to clause (v) of subdivision A 4 to the person whose registration is cancelled.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"14":{"id":214482,"text":"The State Board shall promulgate rules and regulations to ensure the uniform application of the law for determining a person’s residence.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"15":{"id":214483,"text":"The Department shall apply to participate in the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program (SAVE Program) operated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for the purposes of verifying that voters listed in the Virginia voter registration system are United States citizens. Upon approval of the application, the Department shall enter into any required memorandum of agreement with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The State Board shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the use of the immigration status and citizenship status information received from the SAVE Program.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"16":{"id":214484,"text":"The Department shall report annually by October 1 for the preceding 12 months ending August 31 to the Committees on Privileges and Elections on each of its activities undertaken to maintain the Virginia voter registration system and the results of those activities. The Department’s report shall be governed by the provisions of § 2.2-608 and shall encompass activities undertaken pursuant to subdivisions A 9 and 10 and subsection E and pursuant to §§ 24.2-404.3, 24.2-404.4, 24.2-408, 24.2-409, 24.2-409.1, 24.2-410, 24.2-410.1, 24.2-427, and 24.2-428. This report shall contain the methodology used in gathering and analyzing the data. The Commissioner of Elections shall certify that the data included in the report is accurate and reliable.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13467,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Voter Registration System","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13090,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:57","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:57","permalink":{"id":187829,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13467,"identifier":"2","token":"24.2\/4\/2","url":"\/24.2\/4\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13090,"edition_id":1,"name":"Voter Registration","identifier":"4","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12937,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:16","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:16","permalink":{"id":187805,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13090,"identifier":"4","token":"24.2\/4","url":"\/24.2\/4\/","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":58519,"structure_id":13467,"section_number":"24.2-404","catch_line":"Duties of Department of Elections","url":"\/24.2-404\/","token":"24.2\/4\/2\/24.2-404","metadata":false},{"id":61633,"structure_id":13467,"section_number":"24.2-404.1","catch_line":"Commissioner of Elections to serve as state coordinator for the administration of the National Voter Registration Act","url":"\/24.2-404.1\/","token":"24.2\/4\/2\/24.2-404.1","metadata":false},{"id":78766,"structure_id":13467,"section_number":"24.2-404.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/24.2-404.2\/","token":"24.2\/4\/2\/24.2-404.2","metadata":false},{"id":74482,"structure_id":13467,"section_number":"24.2-404.3","catch_line":"Duty of Department of Elections; verification of registered voter lists","url":"\/24.2-404.3\/","token":"24.2\/4\/2\/24.2-404.3","metadata":false},{"id":82395,"structure_id":13467,"section_number":"24.2-404.4","catch_line":"Exchange of registered voter lists with other states","url":"\/24.2-404.4\/","token":"24.2\/4\/2\/24.2-404.4","metadata":false},{"id":85757,"structure_id":13467,"section_number":"24.2-405","catch_line":"Lists of registered voters","url":"\/24.2-405\/","token":"24.2\/4\/2\/24.2-405","metadata":false},{"id":61828,"structure_id":13467,"section_number":"24.2-406","catch_line":"Lists of persons voting at elections","url":"\/24.2-406\/","token":"24.2\/4\/2\/24.2-406","metadata":false},{"id":84970,"structure_id":13467,"section_number":"24.2-407","catch_line":"Statement for persons receiving lists of persons registered or voting; penalties","url":"\/24.2-407\/","token":"24.2\/4\/2\/24.2-407","metadata":false},{"id":54432,"structure_id":13467,"section_number":"24.2-407.1","catch_line":"Prohibition on disclosure of social security numbers or parts thereof","url":"\/24.2-407.1\/","token":"24.2\/4\/2\/24.2-407.1","metadata":false},{"id":64197,"structure_id":13467,"section_number":"24.2-408","catch_line":"State Registrar of Vital Records to transmit weekly lists of decedents to Department of Elections","url":"\/24.2-408\/","token":"24.2\/4\/2\/24.2-408","metadata":false},{"id":70985,"structure_id":13467,"section_number":"24.2-409","catch_line":"Central Criminal Records Exchange to transmit lists of felony convictions to Department of Elections","url":"\/24.2-409\/","token":"24.2\/4\/2\/24.2-409","metadata":false},{"id":79434,"structure_id":13467,"section_number":"24.2-409.1","catch_line":"Department of Elections to transmit information pertaining to persons convicted of a felony in federal court","url":"\/24.2-409.1\/","token":"24.2\/4\/2\/24.2-409.1","metadata":false},{"id":60149,"structure_id":13467,"section_number":"24.2-410","catch_line":"Clerks of circuit courts to furnish lists of certain adjudications","url":"\/24.2-410\/","token":"24.2\/4\/2\/24.2-410","metadata":false},{"id":57873,"structure_id":13467,"section_number":"24.2-410.1","catch_line":"Citizenship status; Department of Motor Vehicles to furnish lists of noncitizens","url":"\/24.2-410.1\/","token":"24.2\/4\/2\/24.2-410.1","metadata":false},{"id":75645,"structure_id":13467,"section_number":"24.2-410.2","catch_line":"Security of the Virginia voter registration system","url":"\/24.2-410.2\/","token":"24.2\/4\/2\/24.2-410.2","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":61633,"structure_id":13467,"section_number":"24.2-404.1","catch_line":"Commissioner of Elections to serve as state coordinator for the administration of the National Voter Registration Act","url":"\/24.2-404.1\/","token":"24.2\/4\/2\/24.2-404.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/24.2-404\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1970. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 462 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1970 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 24 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 1972, chapter 620; in 1973, chapter 30; in 1974, chapters 369 and 428; in 1975, chapter 515; in 1976, chapter 616; in 1978, chapter 778; in 1983, chapter 348; in 1993, chapter 641; in 1997, chapter 801<\/a>; in 2000, chapters 510<\/a> and 554<\/a>; in 2003, chapter 1015<\/a>; in 2004, chapter 428<\/a>; in 2005, chapter 378<\/a>; in 2006, chapters 243<\/a>, 926<\/a>, and 940<\/a>; in 2008, chapter 379<\/a>; in 2009, chapters 865<\/a>, 870<\/a>, and 874<\/a>; in 2011, chapter 528<\/a>; in 2012, chapter 686<\/a>; in 2013, chapters 425<\/a>, 686<\/a>, and 725<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 452<\/a>; in 2015, chapter 740<\/a>; in 2018, chapter 460<\/a>; in 2020, chapters 1064<\/a> and 1065<\/a>; in 2023, chapter 785<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":61543,"section_number":"24.2-101","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-101\/"},{"id":82395,"section_number":"24.2-404.4","catch_line":"Exchange of registered voter lists with other states","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-404.4\/"},{"id":79027,"section_number":"24.2-427","catch_line":"Cancellation of registration by voter or for persons known to be deceased or disqualified to vote","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-427\/"},{"id":84879,"section_number":"24.2-610","catch_line":"Materials at polling places","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-610\/"},{"id":74260,"section_number":"24.2-611","catch_line":"Form and signing of pollbooks; records of persons voting; electronic pollbooks","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-611\/"},{"id":86385,"section_number":"24.2-702.1","catch_line":"Federal write-in absentee ballots","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-702.1\/"},{"id":60228,"section_number":"24.2-706","catch_line":"Duty of general registrar on receipt of application; statement of voter","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-706\/"},{"id":84940,"section_number":"24.2-711","catch_line":"Duties of electoral board, general registrar, and officers of election","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-711\/"},{"id":69320,"section_number":"46.2-208.1","catch_line":"Electronic transfer of information in Department records for voter registration purposes","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-208.1\/"},{"id":75872,"section_number":"58.1-609.1","catch_line":"Governmental and commodities exemptions","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-609.1\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":55569,"section_number":"2.2-3700","catch_line":"Short title; policy","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-3700\/"},{"id":71177,"section_number":"2.2-608","catch_line":"Furnishing reports; Governor authorized to require reports","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-608\/"},{"id":77170,"section_number":"24.2-403","catch_line":"Persons under 18 years of age","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-403\/"},{"id":54136,"section_number":"24.2-403.1","catch_line":"Preregistration of persons 16 years of age or older","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-403.1\/"},{"id":74482,"section_number":"24.2-404.3","catch_line":"Duty of Department of Elections; verification of registered voter lists","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-404.3\/"},{"id":82395,"section_number":"24.2-404.4","catch_line":"Exchange of registered voter lists with other states","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-404.4\/"},{"id":64197,"section_number":"24.2-408","catch_line":"State Registrar of Vital Records to transmit weekly lists of decedents to Department of Elections","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-408\/"},{"id":70985,"section_number":"24.2-409","catch_line":"Central Criminal Records Exchange to transmit lists of felony convictions to Department of Elections","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-409\/"},{"id":79434,"section_number":"24.2-409.1","catch_line":"Department of Elections to transmit information pertaining to persons convicted of a felony in federal court","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-409.1\/"},{"id":60149,"section_number":"24.2-410","catch_line":"Clerks of circuit courts to furnish lists of certain adjudications","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-410\/"},{"id":57873,"section_number":"24.2-410.1","catch_line":"Citizenship status; Department of Motor Vehicles to furnish lists of noncitizens","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-410.1\/"},{"id":79027,"section_number":"24.2-427","catch_line":"Cancellation of registration by voter or for persons known to be deceased or disqualified to vote","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-427\/"},{"id":62032,"section_number":"24.2-428","catch_line":"Regular periodic review of registration records; notice to voters identified as having moved; placement on inactive status for failure to respond to notice","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-428\/"}],"permalink":{"id":187831,"object_type":"law","relational_id":58519,"identifier":"24.2-404","token":"24.2\/4\/2\/24.2-404","url":"\/24.2-404\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/24.2-404\/","token":"24.2\/4\/2\/24.2-404","dublin_core":{"Title":"Duties of Department of Elections","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 24.2-404","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Department of Elections<\/span> shall provide for the continuing operation and maintenance of a central recordkeeping system, the Virginia voter registration system<\/span><\/span>, for all voters registered in the Commonwealth.\n\t\t\tIn order<\/span> to operate and maintain the system, the Department shall: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Maintain a complete, separate, and accurate record of all registered voters<\/span> in the Commonwealth. Such system shall automatically register a person who has preregistered pursuant to § 24.2-403.1<\/a> upon that person becoming eligible for registration under § 24.2-403<\/a> or reaching 18 years of age, whichever comes first. Such system shall also assign a unique identifier to each voter registered in the system. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Require the general registrars<\/span> to enter the names of all registered voters<\/span> into the system and to change or correct registration records<\/span> as necessary. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Provide to each general registrar<\/span> voter confirmation documents for newly registered voters<\/span>, including voters who were automatically registered pursuant to subdivision 1, and for notice to registered voters<\/span> on the system of changes and corrections in their registration records<\/span> and polling places<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Require the general registrars<\/span> to delete from the record of registered voters<\/span> the name of any voter who (i) is deceased, (ii) is no longer qualified to vote in the county or city where he is registered due to removal of his residence<\/span>, (iii) has been convicted of a felony<\/span>, (iv) has been adjudicated incapacitated, (v) is known not to be a United States citizen by reason of reports from the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to § 24.2-410.1<\/a> or from the Department of Elections<\/span> based on information received from the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program (SAVE Program) pursuant to subsection E, or (vi) is otherwise no longer qualified to vote as may be provided by law<\/span>. Such action shall be taken no later than 30 days after notification from the Department. The Department shall promptly provide the information referred to in this subdivision, upon receiving it, to general registrars<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Retain on the system for four years a separate record for registered voters<\/span> whose names have been deleted, with the reason for deletion. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Retain on the system permanently a separate record for information received regarding deaths, felony<\/span> convictions<\/span>, and adjudications of incapacity pursuant to §§ 24.2-408<\/a> through 24.2-410<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> Provide to each general registrar<\/span>, at least 16 days prior to a general or primary election<\/span> and three days prior to a special election<\/span>, an alphabetical list of all registered voters<\/span> in each precinct<\/span> or portion of a precinct<\/span> in which the election is being held in the county, city, or town. These precinct<\/span> lists shall be used as the official lists of qualified voters<\/span> and shall constitute the pollbooks. The Department shall provide instructions for the division of the pollbooks and precinct<\/span> lists into sections to accommodate the efficient processing of voter lines at the polls. Prior to any general, primary, or special election<\/span>, the Department shall provide any general registrar<\/span>, upon his request, with a separate electronic list of all registered voters<\/span> in the registrar’s county or city. If electronic pollbooks are used in the locality or electronic voter registration inquiry devices are used in precincts<\/span> in the locality, the Department shall provide a regional or statewide list of registered voters<\/span> to the general registrar<\/span> of the locality. The Department shall determine whether regional or statewide data is provided. Neither the pollbook nor the regional or statewide list of registered voters<\/span> shall include the day and month of birth of the voter, but shall include the voter’s year of birth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> Acquire by purchase, lease, or contract<\/span> equipment necessary to execute the duties of the Department. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> Use any source of information that may assist in carrying out the purposes of this section. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall cooperate with the Department in procuring and exchanging identification information for the purpose of maintaining the voter registration system<\/span>. The Department may share any information that it receives from another agency of the Commonwealth with any Chief Election Officer of another state for the maintenance of the voter registration system<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

10.<\/span> Cooperate with other states and jurisdictions<\/span> to develop systems to compare voters, voter history, and voter registration lists to ensure the accuracy of the voter registration rolls, to identify voters whose addresses have changed, to prevent duplication of registration in more than one state or jurisdiction<\/span>, and to determine eligibility of individuals to vote in Virginia. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

11.<\/span> Reprint and impose a reasonable charge for the sale of any part of Title 24.2, lists of precincts<\/span> and polling places<\/span>, statements of election results by precinct<\/span>, and any other items required of the Department by law<\/span>. Receipts from such sales shall be credited to the Board<\/span> for reimbursement of printing expenses. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The Department shall be authorized to provide for the production, distribution, and receipt of information and lists through the Virginia voter registration system<\/span><\/span> by any appropriate means including, but not limited to, paper and electronic means. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700<\/a> et seq.) shall not apply to records about individuals maintained in this system. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The State Board<\/span> shall institute procedures to ensure that each requirement of this section is fulfilled. As part of its procedures, the State Board<\/span> shall provide that the general registrar<\/span> shall mail notice of any cancellation pursuant to clause (v) of subdivision A 4 to the person whose registration is cancelled. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The State Board<\/span> shall promulgate rules and regulations to ensure the uniform application of the law<\/span> for determining a person’s residence<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The Department shall apply to participate in the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program (SAVE Program) operated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for the purposes of verifying that voters listed in the Virginia voter registration system<\/span><\/span> are United States citizens. Upon approval of the application, the Department shall enter into any required memorandum<\/span> of agreement with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The State Board<\/span> shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the use of the immigration status and citizenship status information received from the SAVE Program. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> The Department shall report annually by October 1 for the preceding 12 months ending August 31 to the Committees on Privileges<\/span> and Elections on each of its activities undertaken to maintain the Virginia voter registration system<\/span><\/span> and the results of those activities. The Department’s report shall be governed by the provisions of § 2.2-608<\/a> and shall encompass activities undertaken pursuant to subdivisions A 9 and 10 and subsection E and pursuant to §§ 24.2-404.3<\/a>, 24.2-404.4<\/a>, 24.2-408<\/a>, 24.2-409<\/a>, 24.2-409.1<\/a>, 24.2-410<\/a>, 24.2-410.1<\/a>, 24.2-427<\/a>, and 24.2-428<\/a>. This report shall contain the methodology used in gathering and analyzing the data. The Commissioner of Elections shall certify that the data included in the report is accurate and reliable. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDUTIES OF DEPARTMENT OF ELECTIONS (\u00a7 24.2-404)\n\nA. The Department of Elections shall provide for the continuing operation and\nmaintenance of a central recordkeeping system, the Virginia voter registration\nsystem, for all voters registered in the Commonwealth.\n\t\t\tIn order to operate and maintain the system, the Department shall:\n\n 1. Maintain a complete, separate, and accurate record of all registered voters\n in the Commonwealth. Such system shall automatically register a person who has\n preregistered pursuant to § 24.2-403.1 upon that person becoming eligible\n for registration under § 24.2-403 or reaching 18 years of age, whichever\n comes first. Such system shall also assign a unique identifier to each voter\n registered in the system.\n\n 2. Require the general registrars to enter the names of all registered voters\n into the system and to change or correct registration records as necessary.\n\n 3. Provide to each general registrar voter confirmation documents for newly\n registered voters, including voters who were automatically registered pursuant\n to subdivision 1, and for notice to registered voters on the system of changes\n and corrections in their registration records and polling places.\n\n 4. Require the general registrars to delete from the record of registered\n voters the name of any voter who (i) is deceased, (ii) is no longer qualified\n to vote in the county or city where he is registered due to removal of his\n residence, (iii) has been convicted of a felony, (iv) has been adjudicated\n incapacitated, (v) is known not to be a United States citizen by reason of\n reports from the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to § 24.2-410.1 or\n from the Department of Elections based on information received from the\n Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program (SAVE Program) pursuant\n to subsection E, or (vi) is otherwise no longer qualified to vote as may be\n provided by law. Such action shall be taken no later than 30 days after\n notification from the Department. The Department shall promptly provide the\n information referred to in this subdivision, upon receiving it, to general\n registrars.\n\n 5. Retain on the system for four years a separate record for registered voters\n whose names have been deleted, with the reason for deletion.\n\n 6. Retain on the system permanently a separate record for information received\n regarding deaths, felony convictions, and adjudications of incapacity pursuant\n to §§ 24.2-408 through 24.2-410.\n\n 7. Provide to each general registrar, at least 16 days prior to a general or\n primary election and three days prior to a special election, an alphabetical\n list of all registered voters in each precinct or portion of a precinct in\n which the election is being held in the county, city, or town. These precinct\n lists shall be used as the official lists of qualified voters and shall\n constitute the pollbooks. The Department shall provide instructions for the\n division of the pollbooks and precinct lists into sections to accommodate the\n efficient processing of voter lines at the polls. Prior to any general,\n primary, or special election, the Department shall provide any general\n registrar, upon his request, with a separate electronic list of all registered\n voters in the registrar’s county or city. If electronic pollbooks are\n used in the locality or electronic voter registration inquiry devices are used\n in precincts in the locality, the Department shall provide a regional or\n statewide list of registered voters to the general registrar of the locality.\n The Department shall determine whether regional or statewide data is provided.\n Neither the pollbook nor the regional or statewide list of registered voters\n shall include the day and month of birth of the voter, but shall include the\n voter’s year of birth.\n\n 8. Acquire by purchase, lease, or contract equipment necessary to execute the\n duties of the Department.\n\n 9. Use any source of information that may assist in carrying out the purposes\n of this section. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall cooperate with the\n Department in procuring and exchanging identification information for the\n purpose of maintaining the voter registration system. The Department may share\n any information that it receives from another agency of the Commonwealth with\n any Chief Election Officer of another state for the maintenance of the voter\n registration system.\n\n 10. Cooperate with other states and jurisdictions to develop systems to\n compare voters, voter history, and voter registration lists to ensure the\n accuracy of the voter registration rolls, to identify voters whose addresses\n have changed, to prevent duplication of registration in more than one state or\n jurisdiction, and to determine eligibility of individuals to vote in Virginia.\n\n 11. Reprint and impose a reasonable charge for the sale of any part of Title\n 24.2, lists of precincts and polling places, statements of election results by\n precinct, and any other items required of the Department by law. Receipts from\n such sales shall be credited to the Board for reimbursement of printing\n expenses.\n\nB. The Department shall be authorized to provide for the production,\ndistribution, and receipt of information and lists through the Virginia voter\nregistration system by any appropriate means including, but not limited to,\npaper and electronic means. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§\n2.2-3700 et seq.) shall not apply to records about individuals maintained in\nthis system.\n\nC. The State Board shall institute procedures to ensure that each requirement of\nthis section is fulfilled. As part of its procedures, the State Board shall\nprovide that the general registrar shall mail notice of any cancellation\npursuant to clause (v) of subdivision A 4 to the person whose registration is\ncancelled.\n\nD. The State Board shall promulgate rules and regulations to ensure the uniform\napplication of the law for determining a person’s residence.\n\nE. The Department shall apply to participate in the Systematic Alien\nVerification for Entitlements Program (SAVE Program) operated by U.S.\nCitizenship and Immigration Services of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security\nfor the purposes of verifying that voters listed in the Virginia voter\nregistration system are United States citizens. Upon approval of the\napplication, the Department shall enter into any required memorandum of\nagreement with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The State Board shall\npromulgate rules and regulations governing the use of the immigration status and\ncitizenship status information received from the SAVE Program.\n\nF. The Department shall report annually by October 1 for the preceding 12 months\nending August 31 to the Committees on Privileges and Elections on each of its\nactivities undertaken to maintain the Virginia voter registration system and the\nresults of those activities. The Department’s report shall be governed by\nthe provisions of § 2.2-608 and shall encompass activities undertaken\npursuant to subdivisions A 9 and 10 and subsection E and pursuant to\n§§ 24.2-404.3, 24.2-404.4, 24.2-408, 24.2-409, 24.2-409.1, 24.2-410,\n24.2-410.1, 24.2-427, and 24.2-428. This report shall contain the methodology\nused in gathering and analyzing the data. The Commissioner of Elections shall\ncertify that the data included in the report is accurate and reliable.\n\nHISTORY: 1970, c. 462, \u00a7 24.1-23; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 119; 1972, c. 620; 1973,\nc. 30; 1974, cc. 369, 428; 1975, c. 515; 1976, c. 616; 1978, c. 778; 1983, c.\n348; 1993, c. 641; 1997, c. 801; 2000, cc. 510, 554; 2003, c. 1015; 2004, c.\n428; 2005, c. 378; 2006, cc. 243, 926, 940; 2008, c. 379; 2009, cc. 865, 870,\n874; 2011, c. 528; 2012, c. 686; 2013, cc. 425, 686, 725; 2014, c. 452; 2015, c.\n740; 2018, c. 460; 2020, cc. 1064, 1065; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 217; 2023, c.\n785.","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}}