{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/24.2-649.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/24.2-649.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/24.2-649.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/24.2-649.html"}],"law_id":77348,"edition_id":1,"section_id":77348,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-649","catch_line":"Assistance for certain voters inside the polling place; penalties","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 24-245, 24-251, 24-252, 24-310; 1950, c. 230; 1952, c. 581; 1962, c. 536; 1964, c. 593; 1969, Ex. Sess., c. 5; 1970, c. 462, \u00a7\u00a7 24.1-129, 24.1-132, 24.1-220; 1973, c. 30; 1975, c. 515; 1978, c. 778; 1984, cc. 234, 775; 1985, cc. 197, 458; 1986, c. 558; 1987, c. 349; 1988, c. 598; 1993, c. 641; 2003, c. 1015; 2004, cc. 993, 1010; 2005, c. 569; 2006, c. 242; 2009, c. 809; 2014, cc. 540, 576; 2020, c. 561; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 163, 528, 533.","full_text":"A\n\nAny qualified voter who requires assistance to vote by reason of physical disability or inability to read or write may, if he so requests, be assisted in voting. If he is blind, he may designate an officer of election or any other person to assist him. If he is unable to read and write or disabled for any cause other than blindness, he may designate an officer of election or some other person to assist him other than the voter’s employer or agent of that employer, or officer or agent of the voter’s union.\n\t\t\tThe officer of election or other person so designated shall not enter the booth with the voter unless (i) the voter signs a request stating that he requires assistance by reason of physical disability or inability to read or write and (ii) the officer of election or other person signs a statement that he is not the voter’s employer or an agent of that employer, or an officer or agent of the voter’s union, and that he will act in accordance with the requirements of this section. The request and statement shall be on a single form furnished by the State Board. If the voter is unable to sign the request, his own mark acknowledged by him before an officer of election shall be sufficient signature, provided no mark shall be required of a voter who is blind. An officer of election shall advise the voter and person assisting the voter of the requirements of this section and record the name of the voter and the name and address of the person assisting him.\n\t\t\tThe officer of election or other person so designated shall assist the qualified voter in the preparation of his ballot in accordance with his instructions and without soliciting his vote or in any manner attempting to influence his vote and shall not in any manner divulge or indicate, by signs or otherwise, how the voter voted on any office or question. If a printed ballot is used, the officer or other person so designated shall deposit the ballot in the ballot container in accordance with § 24.2-646 or in the ballot scanner machine in accordance with the instructions of the State Board.B\n\nIf the voter requires assistance in a language other than English and has not designated a person to assist him, an officer of election may assist as an interpreter, but shall first inquire of the representatives authorized to be present pursuant to § 24.2-604.4 whether they have a volunteer available who can interpret for the voter. One representative interpreter for each party or candidate, insofar as available, shall be permitted to observe the officer of election communicate with the voter. In any locality designated as a covered locality pursuant to § 24.2-128, the local electoral board shall ensure that interpretation services in the language of the applicable minority group are available and easily accessible to voters needing assistance pursuant to this subsection. The voter may designate one of the volunteer party or candidate interpreters to provide assistance. A person so designated by the voter shall meet all the requirements of this section for a person providing assistance.C\n\nA person who willfully violates subsection A or B is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. In addition, the provisions of § 24.2-1016 and its felony penalties for false statements shall be applicable to any request or statement signed pursuant to this section, and the provisions of §§ 24.2-704 and 24.2-1012 and the felony penalties for violations of the law related to providing assistance to absentee voters shall be applicable in such cases.D\n\nIn any precinct in which an electronic voting machine is available that provides an audio ballot, the officers of election shall notify a voter requiring assistance pursuant to this section that such machine is available for him to use to vote in privacy without assistance and the officers of election shall instruct the voter on the use of the voting machine. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a voter to use the machine unassisted.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":277426,"text":"Any qualified voter who requires assistance to vote by reason of physical disability or inability to read or write may, if he so requests, be assisted in voting. If he is blind, he may designate an officer of election or any other person to assist him. If he is unable to read and write or disabled for any cause other than blindness, he may designate an officer of election or some other person to assist him other than the voter’s employer or agent of that employer, or officer or agent of the voter’s union.\n\t\t\tThe officer of election or other person so designated shall not enter the booth with the voter unless (i) the voter signs a request stating that he requires assistance by reason of physical disability or inability to read or write and (ii) the officer of election or other person signs a statement that he is not the voter’s employer or an agent of that employer, or an officer or agent of the voter’s union, and that he will act in accordance with the requirements of this section. The request and statement shall be on a single form furnished by the State Board. If the voter is unable to sign the request, his own mark acknowledged by him before an officer of election shall be sufficient signature, provided no mark shall be required of a voter who is blind. An officer of election shall advise the voter and person assisting the voter of the requirements of this section and record the name of the voter and the name and address of the person assisting him.\n\t\t\tThe officer of election or other person so designated shall assist the qualified voter in the preparation of his ballot in accordance with his instructions and without soliciting his vote or in any manner attempting to influence his vote and shall not in any manner divulge or indicate, by signs or otherwise, how the voter voted on any office or question. If a printed ballot is used, the officer or other person so designated shall deposit the ballot in the ballot container in accordance with § 24.2-646 or in the ballot scanner machine in accordance with the instructions of the State Board.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":277427,"text":"If the voter requires assistance in a language other than English and has not designated a person to assist him, an officer of election may assist as an interpreter, but shall first inquire of the representatives authorized to be present pursuant to § 24.2-604.4 whether they have a volunteer available who can interpret for the voter. One representative interpreter for each party or candidate, insofar as available, shall be permitted to observe the officer of election communicate with the voter. In any locality designated as a covered locality pursuant to § 24.2-128, the local electoral board shall ensure that interpretation services in the language of the applicable minority group are available and easily accessible to voters needing assistance pursuant to this subsection. The voter may designate one of the volunteer party or candidate interpreters to provide assistance. A person so designated by the voter shall meet all the requirements of this section for a person providing assistance.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":277428,"text":"A person who willfully violates subsection A or B is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. In addition, the provisions of § 24.2-1016 and its felony penalties for false statements shall be applicable to any request or statement signed pursuant to this section, and the provisions of §§ 24.2-704 and 24.2-1012 and the felony penalties for violations of the law related to providing assistance to absentee voters shall be applicable in such cases.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":277429,"text":"In any precinct in which an electronic voting machine is available that provides an audio ballot, the officers of election shall notify a voter requiring assistance pursuant to this section that such machine is available for him to use to vote in privacy without assistance and the officers of election shall instruct the voter on the use of the voting machine. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a voter to use the machine unassisted.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/24.2-649\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 21 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 1950, chapter 230; in 1952, chapter 581; in 1962, chapter 536; in 1964, chapter 593; in 1970, chapter 462; in 1973, chapter 30; in 1975, chapter 515; in 1978, chapter 778; in 1984, chapters 234 and 775; in 1985, chapters 197 and 458; in 1986, chapter 558; in 1987, chapter 349; in 1988, chapter 598; in 1993, chapter 641; in 2003, chapter 1015<\/a>; in 2004, chapters 993<\/a> and 1010<\/a>; in 2005, chapter 569<\/a>; in 2006, chapter 242<\/a>; in 2009, chapter 809<\/a>; in 2014, chapters 540<\/a> and 576<\/a>; in 2020, chapter 561<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":64844,"section_number":"24.2-1006","catch_line":"Advice or assistance in casting ballot","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-1006\/"},{"id":72175,"section_number":"24.2-1012","catch_line":"Offenses as to absent voters","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-1012\/"},{"id":68941,"section_number":"24.2-604.4","catch_line":"Polling places; authorized representatives of party or candidate; prohibited activities","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-604.4\/"},{"id":74440,"section_number":"24.2-604.5","catch_line":"Polling places; presence of additional persons authorized","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-604.5\/"},{"id":74211,"section_number":"24.2-622","catch_line":"Unofficial sample ballots","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-622\/"},{"id":59861,"section_number":"24.2-643","catch_line":"Qualified voter permitted to vote; procedures at polling place; voter identification","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-643\/"},{"id":54944,"section_number":"24.2-649.1","catch_line":"Assistance for certain voters outside of the polling place","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-649.1\/"},{"id":60154,"section_number":"24.2-701","catch_line":"Application for absentee ballot","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-701\/"},{"id":85860,"section_number":"24.2-701.1","catch_line":"Absentee voting in person","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-701.1\/"},{"id":79861,"section_number":"24.2-704","catch_line":"Applications and ballots for persons requiring assistance in voting; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-704\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":72175,"section_number":"24.2-1012","catch_line":"Offenses as to absent voters","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-1012\/"},{"id":86258,"section_number":"24.2-1016","catch_line":"False statements; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-1016\/"},{"id":83566,"section_number":"24.2-128","catch_line":"Minority language accessibility","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-128\/"},{"id":68941,"section_number":"24.2-604.4","catch_line":"Polling places; authorized representatives of party or candidate; prohibited activities","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-604.4\/"},{"id":62642,"section_number":"24.2-646","catch_line":"Voter folds paper ballot and hands same to officer who deposits it unopened in ballot container","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-646\/"},{"id":79861,"section_number":"24.2-704","catch_line":"Applications and ballots for persons requiring assistance in voting; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-704\/"}],"permalink":{"id":188653,"object_type":"law","relational_id":77348,"identifier":"24.2-649","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-649","url":"\/24.2-649\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/24.2-649\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-649","dublin_core":{"Title":"Assistance for certain voters inside the polling place; penalties","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 24.2-649","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Any qualified voter<\/span> who requires assistance to vote by reason of physical disability or inability to read or write may, if he so requests, be assisted in voting. If he is blind, he may designate an officer of election<\/span> or any other person to assist him. If he is unable to read and write or disabled for any cause other than blindness, he may designate an officer of election<\/span> or some other person to assist him other than the voter’s employer or agent of that employer, or officer or agent of the voter’s union.\n\t\t\tThe officer of election<\/span> or other person so designated shall not enter the booth with the voter unless (i) the voter signs a request stating that he requires assistance by reason of physical disability or inability to read or write and (ii) the officer of election<\/span> or other person signs a statement that he is not the voter’s employer or an agent of that employer, or an officer or agent of the voter’s union, and that he will act in accordance with the requirements of this section. The request and statement shall be on a single form furnished by the State Board<\/span>. If the voter is unable to sign the request, his own mark acknowledged by him before an officer of election<\/span> shall be sufficient signature, provided no mark shall be required of a voter who is blind. An officer of election<\/span> shall advise the voter and person assisting the voter of the requirements of this section and record the name of the voter and the name and address of the person assisting him.\n\t\t\tThe officer of election<\/span> or other person so designated shall assist the qualified voter<\/span> in the preparation of his ballot in accordance with his instructions and without soliciting his vote or in any manner attempting to influence his vote and shall not in any manner divulge or indicate, by signs or otherwise, how the voter voted on any office or question. If a printed ballot<\/span> is used, the officer or other person so designated shall deposit the ballot in the ballot container in accordance with § 24.2-646<\/a> or in the ballot scanner machine<\/span> in accordance with the instructions of the State Board<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> If the voter requires assistance in a language other than English and has not designated a person to assist him, an officer of election<\/span> may assist as an interpreter, but shall first inquire of the representatives authorized to be present pursuant to § 24.2-604.4<\/a> whether they have a volunteer available who can interpret for the voter. One representative interpreter for each party<\/span> or candidate<\/span>, insofar as available, shall be permitted to observe the officer of election<\/span> communicate with the voter. In any locality designated as a covered locality pursuant to § 24.2-128<\/a>, the local electoral board<\/span> shall ensure that interpretation services in the language of the applicable minority group are available and easily accessible to voters needing assistance pursuant to this subsection. The voter may designate one of the volunteer party<\/span> or candidate<\/span> interpreters to provide assistance. A person so designated by the voter shall meet all the requirements of this section for a person providing assistance. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> A person who willfully violates subsection A or B is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>. In addition, the provisions of § 24.2-1016<\/a> and its felony<\/span> penalties for false statements shall be applicable to any request or statement signed pursuant to this section, and the provisions of §§ 24.2-704<\/a> and 24.2-1012<\/a> and the felony<\/span> penalties for violations of the law<\/span> related to providing assistance to absentee voters shall be applicable in such cases. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> In any precinct<\/span> in which an electronic voting machine is available that provides an audio ballot, the officers of election shall notify a voter requiring assistance pursuant to this section that such machine is available for him to use to vote in privacy without assistance and the officers of election shall instruct the voter on the use of the voting machine. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a voter to use the machine unassisted. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN VOTERS INSIDE THE POLLING PLACE; PENALTIES (\u00a7 24.2-649)\n\nA. Any qualified voter who requires assistance to vote by reason of physical\ndisability or inability to read or write may, if he so requests, be assisted in\nvoting. If he is blind, he may designate an officer of election or any other\nperson to assist him. If he is unable to read and write or disabled for any\ncause other than blindness, he may designate an officer of election or some\nother person to assist him other than the voter’s employer or agent of\nthat employer, or officer or agent of the voter’s union.\n\t\t\tThe officer of election or other person so designated shall not enter the\nbooth with the voter unless (i) the voter signs a request stating that he\nrequires assistance by reason of physical disability or inability to read or\nwrite and (ii) the officer of election or other person signs a statement that he\nis not the voter’s employer or an agent of that employer, or an officer or\nagent of the voter’s union, and that he will act in accordance with the\nrequirements of this section. The request and statement shall be on a single\nform furnished by the State Board. If the voter is unable to sign the request,\nhis own mark acknowledged by him before an officer of election shall be\nsufficient signature, provided no mark shall be required of a voter who is\nblind. An officer of election shall advise the voter and person assisting the\nvoter of the requirements of this section and record the name of the voter and\nthe name and address of the person assisting him.\n\t\t\tThe officer of election or other person so designated shall assist the\nqualified voter in the preparation of his ballot in accordance with his\ninstructions and without soliciting his vote or in any manner attempting to\ninfluence his vote and shall not in any manner divulge or indicate, by signs or\notherwise, how the voter voted on any office or question. If a printed ballot is\nused, the officer or other person so designated shall deposit the ballot in the\nballot container in accordance with § 24.2-646 or in the ballot scanner\nmachine in accordance with the instructions of the State Board.\n\nB. If the voter requires assistance in a language other than English and has not\ndesignated a person to assist him, an officer of election may assist as an\ninterpreter, but shall first inquire of the representatives authorized to be\npresent pursuant to § 24.2-604.4 whether they have a volunteer available\nwho can interpret for the voter. One representative interpreter for each party\nor candidate, insofar as available, shall be permitted to observe the officer of\nelection communicate with the voter. In any locality designated as a covered\nlocality pursuant to § 24.2-128, the local electoral board shall ensure\nthat interpretation services in the language of the applicable minority group\nare available and easily accessible to voters needing assistance pursuant to\nthis subsection. The voter may designate one of the volunteer party or candidate\ninterpreters to provide assistance. A person so designated by the voter shall\nmeet all the requirements of this section for a person providing assistance.\n\nC. A person who willfully violates subsection A or B is guilty of a Class 1\nmisdemeanor. In addition, the provisions of § 24.2-1016 and its felony\npenalties for false statements shall be applicable to any request or statement\nsigned pursuant to this section, and the provisions of §§ 24.2-704 and\n24.2-1012 and the felony penalties for violations of the law related to\nproviding assistance to absentee voters shall be applicable in such cases.\n\nD. In any precinct in which an electronic voting machine is available that\nprovides an audio ballot, the officers of election shall notify a voter\nrequiring assistance pursuant to this section that such machine is available for\nhim to use to vote in privacy without assistance and the officers of election\nshall instruct the voter on the use of the voting machine. Nothing in this\nsection shall be construed to require a voter to use the machine unassisted.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 24-245, 24-251, 24-252, 24-310; 1950, c. 230; 1952, c.\n581; 1962, c. 536; 1964, c. 593; 1969, Ex. Sess., c. 5; 1970, c. 462, \u00a7\u00a7\n24.1-129, 24.1-132, 24.1-220; 1973, c. 30; 1975, c. 515; 1978, c. 778; 1984, cc.\n234, 775; 1985, cc. 197, 458; 1986, c. 558; 1987, c. 349; 1988, c. 598; 1993, c.\n641; 2003, c. 1015; 2004, cc. 993, 1010; 2005, c. 569; 2006, c. 242; 2009, c.\n809; 2014, cc. 540, 576; 2020, c. 561; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 163, 528, 533.","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}}