{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/24.2-521.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/24.2-521.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/24.2-521.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/24.2-521.html"}],"law_id":61711,"edition_id":1,"section_id":61711,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-521","catch_line":"Petition required to accompany declaration; number of signatures required","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 24-373; 1952, c. 523; 1970, c. 462, \u00a7 24.1-185; 1971, Ex. Sess., cc. 119, 247; 1972, c. 620; 1978, c. 778; 1980, c. 639; 1982, c. 650; 1983, c. 188; 1989, c. 141; 1992, c. 855; 1993, cc. 407, 641; 1998, cc. 152, 246; 2000, cc. 232, 252; 2003, c. 477; 2010, c. 215; 2012, cc. 166, 538; 2017, c. 355; 2020, c. 501; 2024, c. 498.","full_text":"A\n\nA candidate for nomination by primary for any office shall be required to file with his declaration of candidacy a petition for his name to be printed on the official primary ballot, on a form prescribed by the State Board, signed by the number of qualified voters specified in this section on and after January 1 of the year in which the election is held, and listing the residence address of each such voter. Each signature on the petition shall have been witnessed by a person who is not a minor or a felon whose voting rights have not been restored and whose affidavit to that effect appears on each page of the petition. Each such person circulating a petition who is not a legal resident of the Commonwealth shall sign a statement on the affidavit that he consents to the jurisdiction of the courts of Virginia in resolving any disputes concerning the circulation of petitions, or signatures contained therein, by that person. The signatures of qualified voters collected by a nonresident petition circulator who fails to sign such statement, or who later fails to appear or produce documents when properly served with a subpoena to do so, shall not be counted towards the minimum number of signatures required pursuant to subsection B.\n\t\t\tEach voter signing the petition may provide on the petition the last four digits of his social security number, if any; however, noncompliance with this requirement shall not be cause to invalidate the voter’s signature on the petition.B\n\nThe minimum number of signatures of qualified voters required for primary candidate petitions shall be as follows:1\n\nFor a candidate for the United States Senate, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or Attorney General, 10,000 signatures, including the signatures of at least 400 qualified voters from each congressional district in the Commonwealth;2\n\nFor a candidate for the United States House of Representatives, 1,000 signatures;3\n\nFor a candidate for the Senate of Virginia, 250 signatures;4\n\nFor a candidate for the House of Delegates or for a constitutional office, 125 signatures;5\n\nFor a candidate for membership on the governing body of any county or city, 125 signatures; or if from an election district not at large containing 1,000 or fewer registered voters, 50 signatures;6\n\nFor a candidate for membership on the governing body of any town that has more than 3,500 registered voters, 125 signatures; or if from a ward or other district not at large, 25 signatures;7\n\nFor a candidate for membership on the governing body of any town that has at least 1,500 but not more than 3,500 registered voters, 50 signatures; or if from a ward or other district not at large, 25 signatures;8\n\nFor a candidate for membership on the governing body of any town that has fewer than 1,500 registered voters, no petition shall be required; and9\n\nFor any other candidate, 50 signatures.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":225325,"text":"A candidate for nomination by primary for any office shall be required to file with his declaration of candidacy a petition for his name to be printed on the official primary ballot, on a form prescribed by the State Board, signed by the number of qualified voters specified in this section on and after January 1 of the year in which the election is held, and listing the residence address of each such voter. Each signature on the petition shall have been witnessed by a person who is not a minor or a felon whose voting rights have not been restored and whose affidavit to that effect appears on each page of the petition. Each such person circulating a petition who is not a legal resident of the Commonwealth shall sign a statement on the affidavit that he consents to the jurisdiction of the courts of Virginia in resolving any disputes concerning the circulation of petitions, or signatures contained therein, by that person. The signatures of qualified voters collected by a nonresident petition circulator who fails to sign such statement, or who later fails to appear or produce documents when properly served with a subpoena to do so, shall not be counted towards the minimum number of signatures required pursuant to subsection B.\n\t\t\tEach voter signing the petition may provide on the petition the last four digits of his social security number, if any; however, noncompliance with this requirement shall not be cause to invalidate the voter’s signature on the petition.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":225326,"text":"The minimum number of signatures of qualified voters required for primary candidate petitions shall be as follows:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":225327,"text":"For a candidate for the United States Senate, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or Attorney General, 10,000 signatures, including the signatures of at least 400 qualified voters from each congressional district in the Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":225328,"text":"For a candidate for the United States House of Representatives, 1,000 signatures;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"4":{"id":225329,"text":"For a candidate for the Senate of Virginia, 250 signatures;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"5":{"id":225330,"text":"For a candidate for the House of Delegates or for a constitutional office, 125 signatures;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"B5"},"6":{"id":225331,"text":"For a candidate for membership on the governing body of any county or city, 125 signatures; or if from an election district not at large containing 1,000 or fewer registered voters, 50 signatures;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"B5","prefix_anchor":"B5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B4","next_prefix":"B6"},"7":{"id":225332,"text":"For a candidate for membership on the governing body of any town that has more than 3,500 registered voters, 125 signatures; or if from a ward or other district not at large, 25 signatures;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"B6","prefix_anchor":"B6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B5","next_prefix":"B7"},"8":{"id":225333,"text":"For a candidate for membership on the governing body of any town that has at least 1,500 but not more than 3,500 registered voters, 50 signatures; or if from a ward or other district not at large, 25 signatures;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"B7","prefix_anchor":"B7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B6","next_prefix":"B8"},"9":{"id":225334,"text":"For a candidate for membership on the governing body of any town that has fewer than 1,500 registered voters, no petition shall be required; and","type":"section","prefixes":["B","8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"B8","prefix_anchor":"B8","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B7","next_prefix":"B9"},"10":{"id":225335,"text":"For any other candidate, 50 signatures.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"B9","prefix_anchor":"B9","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B8"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13314,"edition_id":1,"name":"Conduct of Primaries","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13313,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:37","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:37","permalink":{"id":188247,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13314,"identifier":"4","token":"24.2\/5\/4","url":"\/24.2\/5\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13313,"edition_id":1,"name":"Candidates for Office","identifier":"5","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12937,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:37","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:37","permalink":{"id":188187,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13313,"identifier":"5","token":"24.2\/5","url":"\/24.2\/5\/","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":85642,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-512","catch_line":"Primaries to be conducted in accordance with article","url":"\/24.2-512\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-512","metadata":false},{"id":82869,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-513","catch_line":"Provisions as to general elections applicable","url":"\/24.2-513\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-513","metadata":false},{"id":61692,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-514","catch_line":"To what nominations this article applies","url":"\/24.2-514\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-514","metadata":false},{"id":83414,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-515","catch_line":"Presidential election year primaries","url":"\/24.2-515\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-515","metadata":false},{"id":57046,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-515.1","catch_line":"Schedule for primaries in the year 2001 and each tenth year thereafter","url":"\/24.2-515.1\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-515.1","metadata":false},{"id":55096,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-516","catch_line":"Party to furnish names of chairmen and notify State Board of adoption of direct primary","url":"\/24.2-516\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-516","metadata":false},{"id":60738,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-517","catch_line":"State Board to order election","url":"\/24.2-517\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-517","metadata":false},{"id":54301,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-518","catch_line":"County and city treasurers to pay primary expenses; certain uses of machinery by party","url":"\/24.2-518\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-518","metadata":false},{"id":55194,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-519","catch_line":"Qualification of primary candidates","url":"\/24.2-519\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-519","metadata":false},{"id":85518,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-520","catch_line":"Declaration of candidacy required","url":"\/24.2-520\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-520","metadata":false},{"id":61711,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-521","catch_line":"Petition required to accompany declaration; number of signatures required","url":"\/24.2-521\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-521","metadata":false},{"id":56260,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-522","catch_line":"When and to whom filings to be made","url":"\/24.2-522\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-522","metadata":false},{"id":63383,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-523","catch_line":"Candidates to pay fee before filing","url":"\/24.2-523\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-523","metadata":false},{"id":81444,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-524","catch_line":"To whom fees paid; refund of fees","url":"\/24.2-524\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-524","metadata":false},{"id":62992,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-525","catch_line":"Persons entitled to have name printed on ballot","url":"\/24.2-525\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-525","metadata":false},{"id":64867,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-526","catch_line":"Primary not to be held when less than two candidates declare","url":"\/24.2-526\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-526","metadata":false},{"id":78477,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-527","catch_line":"Chairman or official to furnish State Board and general registrars with names of candidates and certify petition signature requirements met","url":"\/24.2-527\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-527","metadata":false},{"id":69054,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-528","catch_line":"No primary candidate to be nominated by convention","url":"\/24.2-528\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-528","metadata":false},{"id":77138,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-529","catch_line":"Primary ballots","url":"\/24.2-529\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-529","metadata":false},{"id":74539,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-530","catch_line":"Who may vote in primary","url":"\/24.2-530\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-530","metadata":false},{"id":71257,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-531","catch_line":"Pollbooks used during primaries","url":"\/24.2-531\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-531","metadata":false},{"id":54412,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-532","catch_line":"Abstracts of votes; law-enforcement officer to obtain returns not forwarded","url":"\/24.2-532\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-532","metadata":false},{"id":79623,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-533","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/24.2-533\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-533","metadata":false},{"id":66440,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-534","catch_line":"Returns tabulated by State Board; when nominee declared","url":"\/24.2-534\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-534","metadata":false},{"id":86406,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-535","catch_line":"Vote required to nominate","url":"\/24.2-535\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-535","metadata":false},{"id":63173,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-536","catch_line":"Procedure when a vacancy in office occurs less than 75 days before primary date","url":"\/24.2-536\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-536","metadata":false},{"id":59745,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-537","catch_line":"Procedure when nominee by default dies or withdraws or nomination is set aside prior to primary","url":"\/24.2-537\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-537","metadata":false},{"id":77625,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-538","catch_line":"Procedure when opposed candidate for nomination dies prior to primary","url":"\/24.2-538\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-538","metadata":false},{"id":65224,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-538.1","catch_line":"Procedure when pre-election withdrawal of candidacy results in unopposed primary","url":"\/24.2-538.1\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-538.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":85518,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-520","catch_line":"Declaration of candidacy required","url":"\/24.2-520\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-520","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":56260,"structure_id":13314,"section_number":"24.2-522","catch_line":"When and to whom filings to be made","url":"\/24.2-522\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-522","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/24.2-521\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 18 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 1952, chapter 523; in 1970, chapter 462; in 1972, chapter 620; in 1978, chapter 778; in 1980, chapter 639; in 1982, chapter 650; in 1983, chapter 188; in 1989, chapter 141; in 1992, chapter 855; in 1993, chapters 407 and 641; in 1998, chapters 152<\/a> and 246<\/a>; in 2000, chapters 232<\/a> and 252<\/a>; in 2003, chapter 477<\/a>; in 2010, chapter 215<\/a>; in 2012, chapters 166<\/a> and 538<\/a>; in 2017, chapter 355<\/a>; in 2020, chapter 501<\/a>; in 2024, chapter 498<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":76285,"section_number":"24.2-311","catch_line":"Effective date of decennial redistricting measures; elections following decennial redistricting","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-311\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":188289,"object_type":"law","relational_id":61711,"identifier":"24.2-521","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-521","url":"\/24.2-521\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/24.2-521\/","token":"24.2\/5\/4\/24.2-521","dublin_core":{"Title":"Petition required to accompany declaration; number of signatures required","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 24.2-521","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> A candidate<\/span> for nomination by primary<\/span> for any office shall be required to file with his declaration of candidacy a petition<\/span> for his name to be printed on the official primary<\/span> ballot, on a form prescribed by the State Board<\/span>, signed by the number of qualified voters<\/span> specified in this section on and after January 1 of the year in which the election<\/span> is held, and listing the residence<\/span> address of each such voter. Each signature on the petition<\/span> shall have been witnessed by a person who is not a minor<\/span> or a felon whose voting rights have not been restored and whose affidavit<\/span> to that effect appears on each page of the petition<\/span>. Each such person circulating a petition<\/span> who is not a legal resident of the Commonwealth shall sign a statement on the affidavit<\/span> that he consents to the jurisdiction<\/span> of the courts<\/span> of Virginia in resolving any disputes concerning the circulation of petitions<\/span>, or signatures contained therein, by that person. The signatures of qualified voters<\/span> collected by a nonresident petition<\/span> circulator who fails to sign such statement, or who later fails to appear or produce documents when properly served with a subpoena<\/span> to do so, shall not be counted towards the minimum number of signatures required pursuant to subsection B.\n\t\t\tEach voter signing the petition<\/span> may provide on the petition<\/span> the last four digits of his social security number, if any; however, noncompliance with this requirement shall not be cause to invalidate the voter’s signature on the petition<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The minimum number of signatures of qualified voters<\/span> required for primary<\/span> candidate<\/span> petitions<\/span> shall be as follows: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> For a candidate<\/span> for the United States Senate, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or Attorney General<\/span>, 10,000 signatures, including the signatures of at least 400 qualified voters<\/span> from each congressional district in the Commonwealth; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> For a candidate<\/span> for the United States House of Representatives, 1,000 signatures; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> For a candidate<\/span> for the Senate of Virginia, 250 signatures; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> For a candidate<\/span> for the House of Delegates or for a constitutional office<\/span>, 125 signatures; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> For a candidate<\/span> for membership on the governing body of any county or city, 125 signatures; or if from an election district<\/span> not at large containing 1,000 or fewer registered voters<\/span>, 50 signatures; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> For a candidate<\/span> for membership on the governing body of any town that has more than 3,500 registered voters<\/span>, 125 signatures; or if from a ward or other district not at large, 25 signatures; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> For a candidate<\/span> for membership on the governing body of any town that has at least 1,500 but not more than 3,500 registered voters<\/span>, 50 signatures; or if from a ward or other district not at large, 25 signatures; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> For a candidate<\/span> for membership on the governing body of any town that has fewer than 1,500 registered voters<\/span>, no petition<\/span> shall be required; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> For any other candidate<\/span>, 50 signatures. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPETITION REQUIRED TO ACCOMPANY DECLARATION; NUMBER OF SIGNATURES REQUIRED (\u00a7\n24.2-521)\n\nA. A candidate for nomination by primary for any office shall be required to\nfile with his declaration of candidacy a petition for his name to be printed on\nthe official primary ballot, on a form prescribed by the State Board, signed by\nthe number of qualified voters specified in this section on and after January 1\nof the year in which the election is held, and listing the residence address of\neach such voter. Each signature on the petition shall have been witnessed by a\nperson who is not a minor or a felon whose voting rights have not been restored\nand whose affidavit to that effect appears on each page of the petition. Each\nsuch person circulating a petition who is not a legal resident of the\nCommonwealth shall sign a statement on the affidavit that he consents to the\njurisdiction of the courts of Virginia in resolving any disputes concerning the\ncirculation of petitions, or signatures contained therein, by that person. The\nsignatures of qualified voters collected by a nonresident petition circulator\nwho fails to sign such statement, or who later fails to appear or produce\ndocuments when properly served with a subpoena to do so, shall not be counted\ntowards the minimum number of signatures required pursuant to subsection B.\n\t\t\tEach voter signing the petition may provide on the petition the last four\ndigits of his social security number, if any; however, noncompliance with this\nrequirement shall not be cause to invalidate the voter’s signature on the\npetition.\n\nB. The minimum number of signatures of qualified voters required for primary\ncandidate petitions shall be as follows:\n\n 1. For a candidate for the United States Senate, Governor, Lieutenant\n Governor, or Attorney General, 10,000 signatures, including the signatures of\n at least 400 qualified voters from each congressional district in the\n Commonwealth;\n\n 2. For a candidate for the United States House of Representatives, 1,000\n signatures;\n\n 3. For a candidate for the Senate of Virginia, 250 signatures;\n\n 4. For a candidate for the House of Delegates or for a constitutional office,\n 125 signatures;\n\n 5. For a candidate for membership on the governing body of any county or city,\n 125 signatures; or if from an election district not at large containing 1,000\n or fewer registered voters, 50 signatures;\n\n 6. For a candidate for membership on the governing body of any town that has\n more than 3,500 registered voters, 125 signatures; or if from a ward or other\n district not at large, 25 signatures;\n\n 7. For a candidate for membership on the governing body of any town that has\n at least 1,500 but not more than 3,500 registered voters, 50 signatures; or if\n from a ward or other district not at large, 25 signatures;\n\n 8. For a candidate for membership on the governing body of any town that has\n fewer than 1,500 registered voters, no petition shall be required; and\n\n 9. For any other candidate, 50 signatures.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 24-373; 1952, c. 523; 1970, c. 462, \u00a7 24.1-185; 1971,\nEx. Sess., cc. 119, 247; 1972, c. 620; 1978, c. 778; 1980, c. 639; 1982, c. 650;\n1983, c. 188; 1989, c. 141; 1992, c. 855; 1993, cc. 407, 641; 1998, cc. 152,\n246; 2000, cc. 232, 252; 2003, c. 477; 2010, c. 215; 2012, cc. 166, 538; 2017,\nc. 355; 2020, c. 501; 2024, c. 498.","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}}