{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/24.2-651.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/24.2-651.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/24.2-651.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/24.2-651.html"}],"law_id":85350,"edition_id":1,"section_id":85350,"structure_id":13023,"section_number":"24.2-651","catch_line":"Voter who is challenged; how challenge tried","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 24-253, 24-254, 24-325; 1970, c. 462, \u00a7 24.1-133; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 265; 1972, c. 620; 1977, c. 490; 1978, c. 778; 1980, c. 639; 1981, c. 425; 1983, c. 461; 1993, c. 641; 1997, c. 346; 2003, c. 1015; 2007, c. 375; 2012, cc. 838, 839.","full_text":"Any qualified voter may, and the officers of election shall, challenge the vote of any person who is listed on the pollbook but is known or suspected not to be a qualified voter.\n\t\tThe individual making the challenge shall complete and sign the following statement on a form provided by the State Board:\n\t\t“I do hereby state, subject to penalties for hindering, intimidating, or interfering with a qualified voter pursuant to \u00a7 24.2-607, that I am a qualified voter of this Commonwealth or an officer of election and that, to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief, _______________ is not a qualified voter of this precinct by reason of (please check each of the following reasons that is applicable):\n\n1\n\nThe named person is not a citizen of the United States;2\n\nThe named person is not now 18 years of age or, in the case of a primary election or a special election held on a date other that a general election date, will not reach the age of 18 before the next general election;3\n\nThe named person is not a resident of the Commonwealth (or, if he has not been a resident of the Commonwealth within the preceding 30 days, he is attempting to vote for an office or issue other than electors of President and Vice President of the United States);4\n\nThe named person is not a resident of this precinct (or he has not been a resident of this precinct since the second preceding general federal election and has not continued to be a resident of this county or city and this congressional district);5\n\nThe named person is not a resident of the town in the case of a town election;6\n\nThe named person has been disqualified from voting by the Constitution and laws of the Commonwealth and this disqualification has not been removed by proper authority;7\n\nThe named person is not the identical person he represents himself to be; or8\n\nThe named person has voted in this election at this or another voting place (state when and where the named person previously voted in this election: _______________).”\n\t\t\tUpon receipt of a signed challenge from a qualified voter or officer of election, an officer of election shall explain to the challenged voter the qualifications of a voter and may examine him concerning his qualifications.\n\t\t\tThe officers of election are hereby authorized to administer the necessary oath or affirmation to any witness brought before them to testify as to the qualifications of any person offering to vote.\n\t\t\tIf the person being challenged insists that he is qualified and the challenge is not withdrawn, one of the officers shall give him a form containing the following statement:\n\t\t\t“I do hereby state, subject to felony penalties for making false statements pursuant to § 24.2-1016, that I am a citizen of the United States, that I am at least 18 years of age (or will be on the __________ day of __________, _____) that I am a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia (or that I have been a resident of this Commonwealth within the preceding 30 days and am voting only for electors of President and Vice President of the United States), and that, according to the best of my knowledge, information and belief, I am not disqualified from voting by the Constitution and laws of this Commonwealth; that my full name is _______________; that in such name I was duly registered as a voter of this precinct; that I am now or at some time since the last November general election have been an actual resident of this precinct or that I have been an actual resident of this precinct at some time since the second preceding general federal election and have been and continue to be a resident of this county or city and this congressional district; if I am voting in a town election today, that I am currently a resident of that town; that I am the identical person I represent myself to be; and that I have not voted in this election at this or any voting place and will not vote in this election at any other voting place.”\n\t\t\tIf the person challenged refuses to sign the statement, he shall not be permitted to vote. If, however, he signs the statement, he shall be permitted to vote on the voting system in use at the precinct, unless he is required to cast a provisional ballot pursuant to § 24.2-651.1.\n\t\t\tWhen the voter has signed the statement and is permitted to vote, the officers of election shall mark his name on the pollbook with the first or next consecutive number from the voter count form, or shall enter that the voter has voted if the pollbook is in electronic form, and shall indicate on the pollbook that he has signed the required statement in accordance with the instructions of the State Board.\n\t\t\tIf the envelope containing a voted absentee ballot has been properly signed by the voter, such ballot shall not be subject to challenge pursuant to this section.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":305776,"text":"Any qualified voter may, and the officers of election shall, challenge the vote of any person who is listed on the pollbook but is known or suspected not to be a qualified voter.\n\t\tThe individual making the challenge shall complete and sign the following statement on a form provided by the State Board:\n\t\t“I do hereby state, subject to penalties for hindering, intimidating, or interfering with a qualified voter pursuant to \u00a7 24.2-607, that I am a qualified voter of this Commonwealth or an officer of election and that, to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief, _______________ is not a qualified voter of this precinct by reason of (please check each of the following reasons that is applicable):","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":305777,"text":"The named person is not a citizen of the United States;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":305778,"text":"The named person is not now 18 years of age or, in the case of a primary election or a special election held on a date other that a general election date, will not reach the age of 18 before the next general election;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":305779,"text":"The named person is not a resident of the Commonwealth (or, if he has not been a resident of the Commonwealth within the preceding 30 days, he is attempting to vote for an office or issue other than electors of President and Vice President of the United States);","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":305780,"text":"The named person is not a resident of this precinct (or he has not been a resident of this precinct since the second preceding general federal election and has not continued to be a resident of this county or city and this congressional district);","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":305781,"text":"The named person is not a resident of the town in the case of a town election;","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":305782,"text":"The named person has been disqualified from voting by the Constitution and laws of the Commonwealth and this disqualification has not been removed by proper authority;","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5","next_prefix":"7"},"7":{"id":305783,"text":"The named person is not the identical person he represents himself to be; or","type":"section","prefixes":["7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"7","prefix_anchor":"7","level":1,"prior_prefix":"6","next_prefix":"8"},"8":{"id":305784,"text":"The named person has voted in this election at this or another voting place (state when and where the named person previously voted in this election: _______________).”\n\t\t\tUpon receipt of a signed challenge from a qualified voter or officer of election, an officer of election shall explain to the challenged voter the qualifications of a voter and may examine him concerning his qualifications.\n\t\t\tThe officers of election are hereby authorized to administer the necessary oath or affirmation to any witness brought before them to testify as to the qualifications of any person offering to vote.\n\t\t\tIf the person being challenged insists that he is qualified and the challenge is not withdrawn, one of the officers shall give him a form containing the following statement:\n\t\t\t“I do hereby state, subject to felony penalties for making false statements pursuant to § 24.2-1016, that I am a citizen of the United States, that I am at least 18 years of age (or will be on the __________ day of __________, _____) that I am a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia (or that I have been a resident of this Commonwealth within the preceding 30 days and am voting only for electors of President and Vice President of the United States), and that, according to the best of my knowledge, information and belief, I am not disqualified from voting by the Constitution and laws of this Commonwealth; that my full name is _______________; that in such name I was duly registered as a voter of this precinct; that I am now or at some time since the last November general election have been an actual resident of this precinct or that I have been an actual resident of this precinct at some time since the second preceding general federal election and have been and continue to be a resident of this county or city and this congressional district; if I am voting in a town election today, that I am currently a resident of that town; that I am the identical person I represent myself to be; and that I have not voted in this election at this or any voting place and will not vote in this election at any other voting place.”\n\t\t\tIf the person challenged refuses to sign the statement, he shall not be permitted to vote. If, however, he signs the statement, he shall be permitted to vote on the voting system in use at the precinct, unless he is required to cast a provisional ballot pursuant to § 24.2-651.1.\n\t\t\tWhen the voter has signed the statement and is permitted to vote, the officers of election shall mark his name on the pollbook with the first or next consecutive number from the voter count form, or shall enter that the voter has voted if the pollbook is in electronic form, and shall indicate on the pollbook that he has signed the required statement in accordance with the instructions of the State Board.\n\t\t\tIf the envelope containing a voted absentee ballot has been properly signed by the voter, such ballot shall not be subject to challenge pursuant to this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"8","prefix_anchor":"8","level":1,"prior_prefix":"7"}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/24.2-651\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 12 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 1970, chapter 462; in 1972, chapter 620; in 1977, chapter 490; in 1978, chapter 778; in 1980, chapter 639; in 1981, chapter 425; in 1983, chapter 461; in 1993, chapter 641; in 1997, chapter 346<\/a>; in 2003, chapter 1015<\/a>; in 2007, chapter 375<\/a>; in 2012, chapters 838<\/a> and 839<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":86258,"section_number":"24.2-1016","catch_line":"False statements; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-1016\/"},{"id":62119,"section_number":"24.2-607","catch_line":"Prohibited conduct; intimidation of voters; disturbance of election; how prevented; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-607\/"},{"id":77395,"section_number":"24.2-651.1","catch_line":"Voter who is shown as having already voted; provisional ballots","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-651.1\/"}],"permalink":{"id":188665,"object_type":"law","relational_id":85350,"identifier":"24.2-651","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-651","url":"\/24.2-651\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/24.2-651\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-651","dublin_core":{"Title":"Voter who is challenged; how challenge tried","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 24.2-651","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Any qualified voter<\/span> may, and the officers of election shall, challenge the vote of any person who is listed on the pollbook but is known or suspected not to be a qualified voter<\/span>.\n\t\tThe individual making the challenge shall complete and sign the following statement on a form provided by the State Board<\/span>:\n\t\t“I do hereby state, subject to penalties for hindering, intimidating, or interfering with a qualified voter<\/span> pursuant to \u00a7 24.2-607<\/a>, that I am a qualified voter<\/span> of this Commonwealth or an officer of election<\/span> and that, to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief, _______________ is not a qualified voter<\/span> of this precinct<\/span> by reason of (please check each of the following reasons that is applicable):<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The named person is not a citizen of the United States; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The named person is not now 18 years of age or, in the case of a primary election<\/span> or a special election<\/span> held on a date other that a general election<\/span> date, will not reach the age of 18 before the next general election<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The named person is not a resident of the Commonwealth (or, if he has not been a resident of the Commonwealth within the preceding 30 days, he is attempting to vote for an office or issue<\/span> other than electors of President and Vice President of the United States); <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> The named person is not a resident of this precinct<\/span> (or he has not been a resident of this precinct<\/span> since the second preceding general federal election and has not continued to be a resident of this county or city and this congressional district); <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> The named person is not a resident of the town in the case of a town election; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> The named person has been disqualified from voting by the Constitution and laws<\/span> of the Commonwealth and this disqualification has not been removed by proper authority; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> The named person is not the identical person he represents himself to be; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> The named person has voted in this election at this or another voting place (state when and where the named person previously voted in this election: _______________).”\n\t\t\tUpon receipt of a signed challenge from a qualified voter<\/span> or officer of election<\/span>, an officer of election<\/span> shall explain to the challenged voter the qualifications of a voter and may examine him concerning his qualifications.\n\t\t\tThe officers of election are hereby authorized to administer the necessary oath<\/span> or affirmation to any witness<\/span> brought before them to testify as to the qualifications of any person offering to vote.\n\t\t\tIf the person being challenged insists that he is qualified and the challenge is not withdrawn, one of the officers shall give him a form containing the following statement:\n\t\t\t“I do hereby state, subject to felony<\/span> penalties for making false statements pursuant to § 24.2-1016<\/a>, that I am a citizen of the United States, that I am at least 18 years of age (or will be on the __________ day of __________, _____) that I am a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia (or that I have been a resident of this Commonwealth within the preceding 30 days and am voting only for electors of President and Vice President of the United States), and that, according to the best of my knowledge, information and belief, I am not disqualified from voting by the Constitution and laws<\/span> of this Commonwealth; that my full name is _______________; that in such name I was duly registered as a voter of this precinct<\/span>; that I am now or at some time since the last November general election<\/span> have been an actual resident of this precinct<\/span> or that I have been an actual resident of this precinct<\/span> at some time since the second preceding general federal election and have been and continue to be a resident of this county or city and this congressional district; if I am voting in a town election today, that I am currently a resident of that town; that I am the identical person I represent myself to be; and that I have not voted in this election at this or any voting place and will not vote in this election at any other voting place.”\n\t\t\tIf the person challenged refuses to sign the statement, he shall not be permitted to vote. If, however, he signs the statement, he shall be permitted to vote on the voting system<\/span> in use at the precinct<\/span>, unless he is required to cast a provisional ballot pursuant to § 24.2-651.1<\/a>.\n\t\t\tWhen the voter has signed the statement and is permitted to vote, the officers of election shall mark his name on the pollbook with the first or next consecutive number from the voter count form, or shall enter that the voter has voted if the pollbook is in electronic form, and shall indicate on the pollbook that he has signed the required statement in accordance with the instructions of the State Board<\/span>.\n\t\t\tIf the envelope containing a voted absentee ballot has been properly signed by the voter, such ballot shall not be subject to challenge pursuant to this section. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nVOTER WHO IS CHALLENGED; HOW CHALLENGE TRIED (\u00a7 24.2-651)\n\nAny qualified voter may, and the officers of election shall, challenge the vote\nof any person who is listed on the pollbook but is known or suspected not to be\na qualified voter.\n\t\tThe individual making the challenge shall complete and sign the following\nstatement on a form provided by the State Board:\n\t\t“I do hereby state, subject to penalties for hindering, intimidating, or\ninterfering with a qualified voter pursuant to \u00a7 24.2-607, that I am a\nqualified voter of this Commonwealth or an officer of election and that, to the\nbest of my knowledge, information, and belief, _______________ is not a\nqualified voter of this precinct by reason of (please check each of the\nfollowing reasons that is applicable):\n\n1. The named person is not a citizen of the United States;\n\n2. The named person is not now 18 years of age or, in the case of a primary\nelection or a special election held on a date other that a general election\ndate, will not reach the age of 18 before the next general election;\n\n3. The named person is not a resident of the Commonwealth (or, if he has not\nbeen a resident of the Commonwealth within the preceding 30 days, he is\nattempting to vote for an office or issue other than electors of President and\nVice President of the United States);\n\n4. The named person is not a resident of this precinct (or he has not been a\nresident of this precinct since the second preceding general federal election\nand has not continued to be a resident of this county or city and this\ncongressional district);\n\n5. The named person is not a resident of the town in the case of a town\nelection;\n\n6. The named person has been disqualified from voting by the Constitution and\nlaws of the Commonwealth and this disqualification has not been removed by\nproper authority;\n\n7. The named person is not the identical person he represents himself to be; or\n\n8. The named person has voted in this election at this or another voting place\n(state when and where the named person previously voted in this election:\n_______________).”\n\t\t\tUpon receipt of a signed challenge from a qualified voter or officer of\nelection, an officer of election shall explain to the challenged voter the\nqualifications of a voter and may examine him concerning his qualifications.\n\t\t\tThe officers of election are hereby authorized to administer the necessary\noath or affirmation to any witness brought before them to testify as to the\nqualifications of any person offering to vote.\n\t\t\tIf the person being challenged insists that he is qualified and the challenge\nis not withdrawn, one of the officers shall give him a form containing the\nfollowing statement:\n\t\t\t“I do hereby state, subject to felony penalties for making false\nstatements pursuant to § 24.2-1016, that I am a citizen of the United\nStates, that I am at least 18 years of age (or will be on the __________ day of\n__________, _____) that I am a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia (or that\nI have been a resident of this Commonwealth within the preceding 30 days and am\nvoting only for electors of President and Vice President of the United States),\nand that, according to the best of my knowledge, information and belief, I am\nnot disqualified from voting by the Constitution and laws of this Commonwealth;\nthat my full name is _______________; that in such name I was duly registered as\na voter of this precinct; that I am now or at some time since the last November\ngeneral election have been an actual resident of this precinct or that I have\nbeen an actual resident of this precinct at some time since the second preceding\ngeneral federal election and have been and continue to be a resident of this\ncounty or city and this congressional district; if I am voting in a town\nelection today, that I am currently a resident of that town; that I am the\nidentical person I represent myself to be; and that I have not voted in this\nelection at this or any voting place and will not vote in this election at any\nother voting place.”\n\t\t\tIf the person challenged refuses to sign the statement, he shall not be\npermitted to vote. If, however, he signs the statement, he shall be permitted to\nvote on the voting system in use at the precinct, unless he is required to cast\na provisional ballot pursuant to § 24.2-651.1.\n\t\t\tWhen the voter has signed the statement and is permitted to vote, the\nofficers of election shall mark his name on the pollbook with the first or next\nconsecutive number from the voter count form, or shall enter that the voter has\nvoted if the pollbook is in electronic form, and shall indicate on the pollbook\nthat he has signed the required statement in accordance with the instructions of\nthe State Board.\n\t\t\tIf the envelope containing a voted absentee ballot has been properly signed\nby the voter, such ballot shall not be subject to challenge pursuant to this\nsection.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 24-253, 24-254, 24-325; 1970, c. 462, \u00a7 24.1-133;\n1971, Ex. Sess., c. 265; 1972, c. 620; 1977, c. 490; 1978, c. 778; 1980, c. 639;\n1981, c. 425; 1983, c. 461; 1993, c. 641; 1997, c. 346; 2003, c. 1015; 2007, c.\n375; 2012, cc. 838, 839.","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}}