{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/24.2-625.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/24.2-625.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/24.2-625.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/24.2-625.1.html"}],"law_id":64556,"edition_id":1,"section_id":64556,"structure_id":14748,"section_number":"24.2-625.1","catch_line":"Voting equipment security","history":"2005, c. 568; 2007, c. 794.","full_text":"A\n\nRecords of the State Board of Elections or of a local electoral board, to the extent such records describe protocols for maintaining the security of ballots or voting and counting equipment, or reveal the results of risk assessments of specific local electoral procedures, the release of which would compromise the security of any election, shall be confidential and excluded from inspection and copying under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.).B\n\nThe State Board of Elections or a local electoral board may hold a closed meeting pursuant to the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act for the purpose of discussing protocols for maintaining the security of ballots or voting and counting equipment, or risk assessments of specific local electoral procedures, where discussion of such matters in open meeting would compromise the security of any election. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize a closed meeting to discuss any breach of security in the conduct of an election.C\n\nTwo members of any local electoral board may conduct site visits for the sole purpose of investigating compliance with security policies and procedures. No such visit shall be deemed a meeting under the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. However, prior to conducting such site visits, the board shall hold an open meeting, as defined in the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, and shall identify at that meeting its intention to conduct such site visits, the dates on which such visits will occur, and all polling places or other locations at which such visits will occur, withholding only information identifying secure sites at which voting and counting equipment or ballots are stored. No later than 30 days after any site visit has been conducted pursuant to this paragraph, the board shall hold an open meeting, as defined in the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, at which it shall identify each location visited and the date on which each such location was visited, withholding only information identifying secure sites at which voting and counting equipment or ballots are stored.D\n\nThe electoral board of each county and city that utilizes electronic voting systems shall develop and annually update written plans and procedures to ensure the security and integrity of its electronic voting systems. The general registrar and the State Board shall provide the electoral board assistance, upon request.E\n\nNothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the release of information concerning any breach of security in the conduct of an election.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":234931,"text":"Records of the State Board of Elections or of a local electoral board, to the extent such records describe protocols for maintaining the security of ballots or voting and counting equipment, or reveal the results of risk assessments of specific local electoral procedures, the release of which would compromise the security of any election, shall be confidential and excluded from inspection and copying under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.).","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":234932,"text":"The State Board of Elections or a local electoral board may hold a closed meeting pursuant to the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act for the purpose of discussing protocols for maintaining the security of ballots or voting and counting equipment, or risk assessments of specific local electoral procedures, where discussion of such matters in open meeting would compromise the security of any election. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize a closed meeting to discuss any breach of security in the conduct of an election.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":234933,"text":"Two members of any local electoral board may conduct site visits for the sole purpose of investigating compliance with security policies and procedures. No such visit shall be deemed a meeting under the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. However, prior to conducting such site visits, the board shall hold an open meeting, as defined in the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, and shall identify at that meeting its intention to conduct such site visits, the dates on which such visits will occur, and all polling places or other locations at which such visits will occur, withholding only information identifying secure sites at which voting and counting equipment or ballots are stored. No later than 30 days after any site visit has been conducted pursuant to this paragraph, the board shall hold an open meeting, as defined in the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, at which it shall identify each location visited and the date on which each such location was visited, withholding only information identifying secure sites at which voting and counting equipment or ballots are stored.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":234934,"text":"The electoral board of each county and city that utilizes electronic voting systems shall develop and annually update written plans and procedures to ensure the security and integrity of its electronic voting systems. The general registrar and the State Board shall provide the electoral board assistance, upon request.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":234935,"text":"Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the release of information concerning any breach of security in the conduct of an election.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14748,"edition_id":1,"name":"Voting Equipment and Systems","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13022,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:49:42","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:49:42","permalink":{"id":188537,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14748,"identifier":"3","token":"24.2\/6\/3","url":"\/24.2\/6\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13022,"edition_id":1,"name":"The Election","identifier":"6","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12937,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:09","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:09","permalink":{"id":188395,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13022,"identifier":"6","token":"24.2\/6","url":"\/24.2\/6\/","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":81594,"structure_id":14748,"section_number":"24.2-625","catch_line":"Application of Title 24.2 and general law","url":"\/24.2-625\/","token":"24.2\/6\/3\/24.2-625","metadata":false},{"id":64556,"structure_id":14748,"section_number":"24.2-625.1","catch_line":"Voting equipment security","url":"\/24.2-625.1\/","token":"24.2\/6\/3\/24.2-625.1","metadata":false},{"id":75404,"structure_id":14748,"section_number":"24.2-625.2","catch_line":"Wireless communications at polling places","url":"\/24.2-625.2\/","token":"24.2\/6\/3\/24.2-625.2","metadata":false},{"id":56486,"structure_id":14748,"section_number":"24.2-626","catch_line":"Governing bodies shall acquire electronic voting systems","url":"\/24.2-626\/","token":"24.2\/6\/3\/24.2-626","metadata":false},{"id":75102,"structure_id":14748,"section_number":"24.2-626.1","catch_line":"Acquisition and use of accessible voting devices","url":"\/24.2-626.1\/","token":"24.2\/6\/3\/24.2-626.1","metadata":false},{"id":71016,"structure_id":14748,"section_number":"24.2-627","catch_line":"Electronic voting systems; number required","url":"\/24.2-627\/","token":"24.2\/6\/3\/24.2-627","metadata":false},{"id":69036,"structure_id":14748,"section_number":"24.2-628","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/24.2-628\/","token":"24.2\/6\/3\/24.2-628","metadata":false},{"id":83263,"structure_id":14748,"section_number":"24.2-629","catch_line":"State Board approval process of electronic voting systems","url":"\/24.2-629\/","token":"24.2\/6\/3\/24.2-629","metadata":false},{"id":85534,"structure_id":14748,"section_number":"24.2-630","catch_line":"Experimental use of approved systems","url":"\/24.2-630\/","token":"24.2\/6\/3\/24.2-630","metadata":false},{"id":69604,"structure_id":14748,"section_number":"24.2-631","catch_line":"Experimental use of voting systems and ballots prior to approval of the system","url":"\/24.2-631\/","token":"24.2\/6\/3\/24.2-631","metadata":false},{"id":63370,"structure_id":14748,"section_number":"24.2-632","catch_line":"Voting equipment custodians","url":"\/24.2-632\/","token":"24.2\/6\/3\/24.2-632","metadata":false},{"id":67570,"structure_id":14748,"section_number":"24.2-633","catch_line":"Notice of final testing of voting system; sealing equipment","url":"\/24.2-633\/","token":"24.2\/6\/3\/24.2-633","metadata":false},{"id":70313,"structure_id":14748,"section_number":"24.2-634","catch_line":"Locking and securing after preparation","url":"\/24.2-634\/","token":"24.2\/6\/3\/24.2-634","metadata":false},{"id":65283,"structure_id":14748,"section_number":"24.2-635","catch_line":"Demonstration of equipment","url":"\/24.2-635\/","token":"24.2\/6\/3\/24.2-635","metadata":false},{"id":82884,"structure_id":14748,"section_number":"24.2-636","catch_line":"Instruction as to use of equipment","url":"\/24.2-636\/","token":"24.2\/6\/3\/24.2-636","metadata":false},{"id":59705,"structure_id":14748,"section_number":"24.2-637","catch_line":"Furniture and equipment to be at polling places","url":"\/24.2-637\/","token":"24.2\/6\/3\/24.2-637","metadata":false},{"id":60602,"structure_id":14748,"section_number":"24.2-638","catch_line":"Voting equipment to be in plain view; officers and others not permitted to see actual voting; unlocking counter compartment of equipment, etc","url":"\/24.2-638\/","token":"24.2\/6\/3\/24.2-638","metadata":false},{"id":56688,"structure_id":14748,"section_number":"24.2-639","catch_line":"Duties of officers of election","url":"\/24.2-639\/","token":"24.2\/6\/3\/24.2-639","metadata":false},{"id":69224,"structure_id":14748,"section_number":"24.2-640","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/24.2-640\/","token":"24.2\/6\/3\/24.2-640","metadata":false},{"id":82022,"structure_id":14748,"section_number":"24.2-641","catch_line":"Sample ballot","url":"\/24.2-641\/","token":"24.2\/6\/3\/24.2-641","metadata":false},{"id":80339,"structure_id":14748,"section_number":"24.2-642","catch_line":"Inoperative equipment","url":"\/24.2-642\/","token":"24.2\/6\/3\/24.2-642","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":81594,"structure_id":14748,"section_number":"24.2-625","catch_line":"Application of Title 24.2 and general law","url":"\/24.2-625\/","token":"24.2\/6\/3\/24.2-625","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":75404,"structure_id":14748,"section_number":"24.2-625.2","catch_line":"Wireless communications at polling places","url":"\/24.2-625.2\/","token":"24.2\/6\/3\/24.2-625.2","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/24.2-625.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2005. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 568<\/a> 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. It has been modified 1 time. 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. That modification is as follows: in 2007, chapter 794<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":72789,"section_number":"2.2-3711","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Closed meetings authorized for certain limited purposes","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-3711\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":55569,"section_number":"2.2-3700","catch_line":"Short title; policy","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-3700\/"}],"permalink":{"id":188543,"object_type":"law","relational_id":64556,"identifier":"24.2-625.1","token":"24.2\/6\/3\/24.2-625.1","url":"\/24.2-625.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/24.2-625.1\/","token":"24.2\/6\/3\/24.2-625.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Voting equipment security","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 24.2-625.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Records of the State Board<\/span> of Elections<\/span> or of a local electoral board<\/span>, to the extent such records describe protocols for maintaining the security of ballots or voting and counting equipment, or reveal the results of risk assessments of specific local electoral procedures, the release of which would compromise the security of any election<\/span>, shall be confidential and excluded from inspection and copying under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700<\/a> et seq.). <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The State Board<\/span> of Elections<\/span> or a local electoral board<\/span> may hold a closed meeting pursuant to the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act for the purpose of discussing protocols for maintaining the security of ballots or voting and counting equipment, or risk assessments of specific local electoral procedures, where discussion of such matters in open meeting would compromise the security of any election<\/span>. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize a closed meeting to discuss any breach of security in the conduct of an election<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Two members of any local electoral board<\/span> may conduct site visits for the sole purpose of investigating compliance with security policies and procedures. No such visit shall be deemed a meeting under the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. However, prior to conducting such site visits, the board shall hold an open meeting, as defined in the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, and shall identify at that meeting its intention to conduct such site visits, the dates on which such visits will occur, and all polling places<\/span> or other locations at which such visits will occur, withholding only information identifying secure sites at which voting and counting equipment or ballots are stored. No later than 30 days after any site visit has been conducted pursuant to this paragraph, the board shall hold an open meeting, as defined in the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, at which it shall identify each location visited and the date on which each such location was visited, withholding only information identifying secure sites at which voting and counting equipment or ballots are stored. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The electoral board of each county and city that utilizes electronic voting systems<\/span> shall develop and annually update written plans and procedures to ensure the security and integrity of its electronic voting systems<\/span>. The general registrar<\/span> and the State Board<\/span> shall provide the electoral board assistance, upon request. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the release of information concerning any breach of security in the conduct of an election<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nVOTING EQUIPMENT SECURITY (\u00a7 24.2-625.1)\n\nA. Records of the State Board of Elections or of a local electoral board, to the\nextent such records describe protocols for maintaining the security of ballots\nor voting and counting equipment, or reveal the results of risk assessments of\nspecific local electoral procedures, the release of which would compromise the\nsecurity of any election, shall be confidential and excluded from inspection and\ncopying under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.).\n\nB. The State Board of Elections or a local electoral board may hold a closed\nmeeting pursuant to the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act\nfor the purpose of discussing protocols for maintaining the security of ballots\nor voting and counting equipment, or risk assessments of specific local\nelectoral procedures, where discussion of such matters in open meeting would\ncompromise the security of any election. Nothing in this subsection shall be\nconstrued to authorize a closed meeting to discuss any breach of security in the\nconduct of an election.\n\nC. Two members of any local electoral board may conduct site visits for the sole\npurpose of investigating compliance with security policies and procedures. No\nsuch visit shall be deemed a meeting under the provisions of the Virginia\nFreedom of Information Act. However, prior to conducting such site visits, the\nboard shall hold an open meeting, as defined in the Virginia Freedom of\nInformation Act, and shall identify at that meeting its intention to conduct\nsuch site visits, the dates on which such visits will occur, and all polling\nplaces or other locations at which such visits will occur, withholding only\ninformation identifying secure sites at which voting and counting equipment or\nballots are stored. No later than 30 days after any site visit has been\nconducted pursuant to this paragraph, the board shall hold an open meeting, as\ndefined in the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, at which it shall identify\neach location visited and the date on which each such location was visited,\nwithholding only information identifying secure sites at which voting and\ncounting equipment or ballots are stored.\n\nD. The electoral board of each county and city that utilizes electronic voting\nsystems shall develop and annually update written plans and procedures to ensure\nthe security and integrity of its electronic voting systems. The general\nregistrar and the State Board shall provide the electoral board assistance, upon\nrequest.\n\nE. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the release of\ninformation concerning any breach of security in the conduct of an election.\n\nHISTORY: 2005, c. 568; 2007, c. 794.","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}}