{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/24.2-646.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/24.2-646.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/24.2-646.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/24.2-646.1.html"}],"law_id":74662,"edition_id":1,"section_id":74662,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-646.1","catch_line":"Permitted use of paper ballots","history":"2006, c. 492; 2015, c. 313; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 163.","full_text":"The official paper ballot shall be used by a voter to cast his vote only in one of the following circumstances:\n\n1\n\nThe official paper ballot is the only ballot in use in the precinct.2\n\nThe official paper ballot is used by voters voting outside of the polling place pursuant to &#xA7; 24.2-649.1.3\n\nThe voter is casting a provisional ballot.4\n\nThe voter is provided an official paper ballot or copy thereof pursuant to &#xA7; 24.2-642 when voting equipment is inoperable or otherwise unavailable.5\n\nThe official absentee paper ballot voted in accordance with (&#xA7; 24.2-700 et seq.).6\n\nThe voter is provided an official paper ballot for a presidential election pursuant to &#xA7; 24.2-402 or for federal elections pursuant to &#xA7; 24.2-453.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":268363,"text":"The official paper ballot shall be used by a voter to cast his vote only in one of the following circumstances:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":268364,"text":"The official paper ballot is the only ballot in use in the precinct.","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":268365,"text":"The official paper ballot is used by voters voting outside of the polling place pursuant to &#xA7; 24.2-649.1.","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":268366,"text":"The voter is casting a provisional ballot.","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":268367,"text":"The voter is provided an official paper ballot or copy thereof pursuant to &#xA7; 24.2-642 when voting equipment is inoperable or otherwise unavailable.","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":268368,"text":"The official absentee paper ballot voted in accordance with (&#xA7; 24.2-700 et seq.).","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":268369,"text":"The voter is provided an official paper ballot for a presidential election pursuant to &#xA7; 24.2-402 or for federal elections pursuant to &#xA7; 24.2-453.","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13023,"edition_id":1,"name":"Conduct of Election; Election Results","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13022,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:09","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:09","permalink":{"id":188623,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13023,"identifier":"4","token":"24.2\/6\/4","url":"\/24.2\/6\/4\/","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":59861,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-643","catch_line":"Qualified voter permitted to vote; procedures at polling place; voter identification","url":"\/24.2-643\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-643","metadata":false},{"id":56984,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-644","catch_line":"Voting by paper ballot; voting for presidential electors; write-in votes","url":"\/24.2-644\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-644","metadata":false},{"id":70245,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-645","catch_line":"Defaced printed ballots","url":"\/24.2-645\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-645","metadata":false},{"id":62642,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-646","catch_line":"Voter folds paper ballot and hands same to officer who deposits it unopened in ballot container","url":"\/24.2-646\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-646","metadata":false},{"id":74662,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-646.1","catch_line":"Permitted use of paper ballots","url":"\/24.2-646.1\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-646.1","metadata":false},{"id":61641,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-647","catch_line":"Voting systems; demonstration on election day","url":"\/24.2-647\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-647","metadata":false},{"id":81756,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-648","catch_line":"Write-in votes on voting equipment","url":"\/24.2-648\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-648","metadata":false},{"id":77348,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-649","catch_line":"Assistance for certain voters inside the polling place; penalties","url":"\/24.2-649\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-649","metadata":false},{"id":54944,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-649.1","catch_line":"Assistance for certain voters outside of the polling place","url":"\/24.2-649.1\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-649.1","metadata":false},{"id":77674,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-650","catch_line":"Officers to sign only official papers, etc","url":"\/24.2-650\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-650","metadata":false},{"id":85350,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-651","catch_line":"Voter who is challenged; how challenge tried","url":"\/24.2-651\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-651","metadata":false},{"id":77395,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-651.1","catch_line":"Voter who is shown as having already voted; provisional ballots","url":"\/24.2-651.1\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-651.1","metadata":false},{"id":71158,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-652","catch_line":"Voter whose name erroneously omitted from pollbook; provisional ballots","url":"\/24.2-652\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-652","metadata":false},{"id":78491,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-653","catch_line":"Provisional voting; procedures in polling place","url":"\/24.2-653\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-653","metadata":false},{"id":56440,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-653.01","catch_line":"Provisional ballots; electoral boards to make determination as to validity","url":"\/24.2-653.01\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-653.01","metadata":false},{"id":67417,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-653.1","catch_line":"Voters who did not receive absentee ballots; provisional ballots","url":"\/24.2-653.1\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-653.1","metadata":false},{"id":82099,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-653.2","catch_line":"Ballots cast after normal close of polling hours due to court-ordered extension; provisional ballots","url":"\/24.2-653.2\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-653.2","metadata":false},{"id":86411,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-653.3","catch_line":"Voters assigned to split precinct; provisional ballots","url":"\/24.2-653.3\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-653.3","metadata":false},{"id":68454,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-654","catch_line":"Officers to lock and seal voting equipment and ascertain vote after polls closed; statement of results","url":"\/24.2-654\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-654","metadata":false},{"id":67381,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-655","catch_line":"Representatives of political parties and candidates to be present on request","url":"\/24.2-655\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-655","metadata":false},{"id":63563,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-656","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/24.2-656\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-656","metadata":false},{"id":85065,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-657","catch_line":"Determination of vote on voting systems","url":"\/24.2-657\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-657","metadata":false},{"id":77139,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-658","catch_line":"Machines with printed return sheets; disposition of sheets","url":"\/24.2-658\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-658","metadata":false},{"id":66445,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-659","catch_line":"Locking voting systems after election and delivering keys to clerk; printed returns as evidence","url":"\/24.2-659\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-659","metadata":false},{"id":71990,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-660","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/24.2-660\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-660","metadata":false},{"id":78732,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-661","catch_line":"Detection and setting aside of double ballots","url":"\/24.2-661\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-661","metadata":false},{"id":64866,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-662","catch_line":"Procedure when paper ballots exceed names on pollbooks","url":"\/24.2-662\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-662","metadata":false},{"id":74030,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-663","catch_line":"When ballot void","url":"\/24.2-663\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-663","metadata":false},{"id":83169,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-664","catch_line":"Reduction in number of ballots","url":"\/24.2-664\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-664","metadata":false},{"id":65211,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-665","catch_line":"How paper ballots counted","url":"\/24.2-665\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-665","metadata":false},{"id":87396,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-666","catch_line":"Procedures to account for paper ballots","url":"\/24.2-666\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-666","metadata":false},{"id":82269,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-667","catch_line":"Completion of statement of results","url":"\/24.2-667\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-667","metadata":false},{"id":73171,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-667.1","catch_line":"Reporting of results; absentee and provisional votes","url":"\/24.2-667.1\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-667.1","metadata":false},{"id":64679,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-668","catch_line":"Pollbooks, statements of results, and ballots to be sealed and delivered to clerk or general registrar","url":"\/24.2-668\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-668","metadata":false},{"id":54119,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-669","catch_line":"Clerk to keep ballots; inspection; destruction","url":"\/24.2-669\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-669","metadata":false},{"id":56072,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-670","catch_line":"Clerk to send for books and ballots if not delivered by officers","url":"\/24.2-670\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-670","metadata":false},{"id":63223,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-671","catch_line":"Electoral board to meet and ascertain results; conclusiveness of results","url":"\/24.2-671\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-671","metadata":false},{"id":60484,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-671.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/24.2-671.1\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-671.1","metadata":false},{"id":70965,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-671.2","catch_line":"Risk-limiting audits","url":"\/24.2-671.2\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-671.2","metadata":false},{"id":76981,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-672","catch_line":"Electoral board to correct irregularities in returns of officers of election","url":"\/24.2-672\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-672","metadata":false},{"id":65316,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-673","catch_line":"Candidates having highest number of votes to receive certificate of election","url":"\/24.2-673\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-673","metadata":false},{"id":86287,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-673.1","catch_line":"(Expires July 1, 2031) Ranked choice voting","url":"\/24.2-673.1\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-673.1","metadata":false},{"id":80865,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-674","catch_line":"Determination by lot in case of tie","url":"\/24.2-674\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-674","metadata":false},{"id":54091,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-675","catch_line":"Abstracts of votes to be made by secretary and forwarded to State Board and to clerks","url":"\/24.2-675\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-675","metadata":false},{"id":57620,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-676","catch_line":"Secretary to make out and deliver certificate of election","url":"\/24.2-676\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-676","metadata":false},{"id":56641,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-677","catch_line":"State Board to open and record returns; application of Freedom of Information Act","url":"\/24.2-677\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-677","metadata":false},{"id":56927,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-678","catch_line":"Law-enforcement officer to be sent for abstracts not forwarded","url":"\/24.2-678\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-678","metadata":false},{"id":81617,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-679","catch_line":"State Board to meet and make statement as to number of votes","url":"\/24.2-679\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-679","metadata":false},{"id":71192,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-680","catch_line":"Certificates of election","url":"\/24.2-680\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-680","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":62642,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-646","catch_line":"Voter folds paper ballot and hands same to officer who deposits it unopened in ballot container","url":"\/24.2-646\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-646","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":61641,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-647","catch_line":"Voting systems; demonstration on election day","url":"\/24.2-647\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-647","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/24.2-646.1\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 2006. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?061+ful+CHAP0492\">492<\/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 2015, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?151+ful+CHAP0313\">313<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":73043,"section_number":"24.2-402","catch_line":"Persons moving from Commonwealth fewer than thirty days before presidential election","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-402\/"},{"id":81040,"section_number":"24.2-453","catch_line":"Restriction of ballot eligibility","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-453\/"},{"id":80339,"section_number":"24.2-642","catch_line":"Inoperative equipment","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-642\/"},{"id":69610,"section_number":"24.2-700","catch_line":"Persons entitled to vote by absentee ballot","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-700\/"}],"permalink":{"id":188641,"object_type":"law","relational_id":74662,"identifier":"24.2-646.1","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-646.1","url":"\/24.2-646.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/24.2-646.1\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-646.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Permitted use of paper ballots","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 24.2-646.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>The official <span class=\"dictionary\">paper ballot<\/span> shall be used by a voter to cast his vote only in one of the following circumstances:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> The official <span class=\"dictionary\">paper ballot<\/span> is the only ballot in use in the <span class=\"dictionary\">precinct<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-268364\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/24.2-646.1\/#1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"2\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> The official <span class=\"dictionary\">paper ballot<\/span> is used by voters voting outside of the <span class=\"dictionary\">polling place<\/span> pursuant to &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Assistance for certain voters outside of the polling place\" href=\"\/24.2-649.1\/\">24.2-649.1<\/a>. <a id=\"paragraph-268365\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/24.2-646.1\/#2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"3\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">3.<\/span> The voter is casting a provisional ballot. <a id=\"paragraph-268366\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/24.2-646.1\/#3\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"4\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">4.<\/span> The voter is provided an official <span class=\"dictionary\">paper ballot<\/span> or copy thereof pursuant to &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Inoperative equipment\" href=\"\/24.2-642\/\">24.2-642<\/a> when voting equipment is inoperable or otherwise unavailable. <a id=\"paragraph-268367\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/24.2-646.1\/#4\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"5\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">5.<\/span> The official absentee <span class=\"dictionary\">paper ballot<\/span> voted in accordance with (&#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Persons entitled to vote by absentee ballot\" href=\"\/24.2-700\/\">24.2-700<\/a> et seq.). <a id=\"paragraph-268368\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/24.2-646.1\/#5\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"6\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">6.<\/span> The voter is provided an official <span class=\"dictionary\">paper ballot<\/span> for a presidential <span class=\"dictionary\">election<\/span> pursuant to &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Persons moving from Commonwealth fewer than thirty days before presidential election\" href=\"\/24.2-402\/\">24.2-402<\/a> or for federal <span class=\"dictionary\">elections<\/span> pursuant to &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Restriction of ballot eligibility\" href=\"\/24.2-453\/\">24.2-453<\/a>. <a id=\"paragraph-268369\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/24.2-646.1\/#6\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPERMITTED USE OF PAPER BALLOTS (\u00a7 24.2-646.1)\n\nThe official paper ballot shall be used by a voter to cast his vote only in one\nof the following circumstances:\n\n1. The official paper ballot is the only ballot in use in the precinct.\n\n2. The official paper ballot is used by voters voting outside of the polling\nplace pursuant to &#xA7; 24.2-649.1.\n\n3. The voter is casting a provisional ballot.\n\n4. The voter is provided an official paper ballot or copy thereof pursuant to\n&#xA7; 24.2-642 when voting equipment is inoperable or otherwise unavailable.\n\n5. The official absentee paper ballot voted in accordance with (&#xA7; 24.2-700\net seq.).\n\n6. The voter is provided an official paper ballot for a presidential election\npursuant to &#xA7; 24.2-402 or for federal elections pursuant to &#xA7;\n24.2-453.\n\nHISTORY: 2006, c. 492; 2015, c. 313; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 163.","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}}