{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/24.2-668.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/24.2-668.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/24.2-668.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/24.2-668.html"}],"law_id":64679,"edition_id":1,"section_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","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 24-232, 24-267, 24-268, 24-270; 1970, c. 462, \u00a7\u00a7 24.1-143, 24.1-144; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 247; 1972, c. 620; 1973, c. 30; 1975, c. 515; 1978, c. 778; 1981, c. 425; 1992, c. 293; 1993, c. 641; 1995, c. 197; 1996, c. 8; 1997, cc. 438, 456; 2002, c. 190; 2003, c. 1015; 2004, cc. 410, 835; 2007, c. 285; 2016, cc. 18, 492; 2020, c. 294.","full_text":"A\n\nAfter ascertaining the results and before adjourning, the officers shall put the pollbooks, the duplicate statements of results, and any printed inspection and return sheets in the envelopes provided by the State Board. The officers shall seal the envelopes and direct them to the clerk of the circuit court for the county or city. The pollbooks, statements, and sheets thus sealed and directed, the sealed counted ballots envelope or container, and the unused, defaced, spoiled and set aside ballots properly accounted for, packaged and sealed, shall be conveyed by one of the officers to be determined by lot, if they cannot otherwise agree, to the clerk of court by noon on the day following the election.\n\t\t\tThe clerk shall retain custody of the pollbooks, printed ballots, and other elections materials until the time has expired for initiating a recount, contest, or other proceeding in which the pollbooks, printed ballots, and other elections materials may be needed as evidence and there is no proceeding pending. The clerk shall (i) secure all pollbooks, printed ballots and other election materials in sealed boxes; (ii) place all of the sealed boxes in a vault or room not open to the public or to anyone other than the clerk and his staff; (iii) cause such vault or room to be securely locked except when access is necessary for the clerk and his staff; and (iv) upon the initiation of a recount, certify that these security measures have been taken in whatever form is deemed appropriate by the chief judge.\n\t\t\tAfter that time the clerk shall deliver the pollbooks to the general registrar who shall return the pollbooks or transfer a copy of the electronic data to the State Board as directed by &#xA7; 24.2-114 for voting credit purposes. After the pollbooks are returned by the State Board, the general registrar shall retain the pollbooks in his principal office for two years from the date of the election. The clerk shall retain the statement of results and any printed inspection and return sheets for two years and may then destroy them.B\n\nThe local electoral board or general registrar may direct that the officers of election, in lieu of conveying the materials to the clerk of the circuit court as provided in subsection A, shall convey the materials to the principal office of the general registrar on the night of the election or the morning following the election as the board directs. The general registrar shall secure and retain the materials in his office and shall convey to the clerk of the court, by noon of the day following the ascertainment of the results of the election by the electoral board, all of the election materials. The general registrar shall retain for public inspection one copy of the statement of results.C\n\nIf an electronic pollbook is used, the data disc or cartridge containing the electronic records of the election, or, alternately, a printed copy of the pollbook records of those who voted, shall be transmitted, sealed and retained as required by this section, and otherwise treated as the pollbook for that election for all purposes subsequent to the election. Nothing in this title shall be construed to require that the equipment or software used to produce the electronic pollbook be sealed or retained along with the pollbook, provided that the records for the election have been transferred or printed according to the instructions of the State Board.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":235421,"text":"After ascertaining the results and before adjourning, the officers shall put the pollbooks, the duplicate statements of results, and any printed inspection and return sheets in the envelopes provided by the State Board. The officers shall seal the envelopes and direct them to the clerk of the circuit court for the county or city. The pollbooks, statements, and sheets thus sealed and directed, the sealed counted ballots envelope or container, and the unused, defaced, spoiled and set aside ballots properly accounted for, packaged and sealed, shall be conveyed by one of the officers to be determined by lot, if they cannot otherwise agree, to the clerk of court by noon on the day following the election.\n\t\t\tThe clerk shall retain custody of the pollbooks, printed ballots, and other elections materials until the time has expired for initiating a recount, contest, or other proceeding in which the pollbooks, printed ballots, and other elections materials may be needed as evidence and there is no proceeding pending. The clerk shall (i) secure all pollbooks, printed ballots and other election materials in sealed boxes; (ii) place all of the sealed boxes in a vault or room not open to the public or to anyone other than the clerk and his staff; (iii) cause such vault or room to be securely locked except when access is necessary for the clerk and his staff; and (iv) upon the initiation of a recount, certify that these security measures have been taken in whatever form is deemed appropriate by the chief judge.\n\t\t\tAfter that time the clerk shall deliver the pollbooks to the general registrar who shall return the pollbooks or transfer a copy of the electronic data to the State Board as directed by &#xA7; 24.2-114 for voting credit purposes. After the pollbooks are returned by the State Board, the general registrar shall retain the pollbooks in his principal office for two years from the date of the election. The clerk shall retain the statement of results and any printed inspection and return sheets for two years and may then destroy them.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":235422,"text":"The local electoral board or general registrar may direct that the officers of election, in lieu of conveying the materials to the clerk of the circuit court as provided in subsection A, shall convey the materials to the principal office of the general registrar on the night of the election or the morning following the election as the board directs. The general registrar shall secure and retain the materials in his office and shall convey to the clerk of the court, by noon of the day following the ascertainment of the results of the election by the electoral board, all of the election materials. The general registrar shall retain for public inspection one copy of the statement of results.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":235423,"text":"If an electronic pollbook is used, the data disc or cartridge containing the electronic records of the election, or, alternately, a printed copy of the pollbook records of those who voted, shall be transmitted, sealed and retained as required by this section, and otherwise treated as the pollbook for that election for all purposes subsequent to the election. Nothing in this title shall be construed to require that the equipment or software used to produce the electronic pollbook be sealed or retained along with the pollbook, provided that the records for the election have been transferred or printed according to the instructions of the State Board.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/24.2-668\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 17 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 1973, chapter 30; in 1975, chapter 515; in 1978, chapter 778; in 1981, chapter 425; in 1992, chapter 293; in 1993, chapter 641; in 1995, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?951+ful+CHAP0197\">197<\/a>; in 1996, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?961+ful+CHAP0008\">8<\/a>; in 1997, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?971+ful+CHAP0438\">438<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?971+ful+CHAP0456\">456<\/a>; in 2002, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?021+ful+CHAP0190\">190<\/a>; in 2003, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?031+ful+CHAP1015\">1015<\/a>; in 2004, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?041+ful+CHAP0410\">410<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?041+ful+CHAP0835\">835<\/a>; in 2007, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?071+ful+CHAP0285\">285<\/a>; in 2016, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?161+ful+CHAP0018\">18<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?161+ful+CHAP0492\">492<\/a>; in 2020, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?201+ful+CHAP0294\">294<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":78491,"section_number":"24.2-653","catch_line":"Provisional voting; procedures in polling place","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-653\/"},{"id":56440,"section_number":"24.2-653.01","catch_line":"Provisional ballots; electoral boards to make determination as to validity","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-653.01\/"},{"id":77139,"section_number":"24.2-658","catch_line":"Machines with printed return sheets; disposition of sheets","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-658\/"},{"id":56072,"section_number":"24.2-670","catch_line":"Clerk to send for books and ballots if not delivered by officers","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-670\/"},{"id":63223,"section_number":"24.2-671","catch_line":"Electoral board to meet and ascertain results; conclusiveness of results","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-671\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":68918,"section_number":"24.2-114","catch_line":"Duties and powers of general registrar","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-114\/"}],"permalink":{"id":188757,"object_type":"law","relational_id":64679,"identifier":"24.2-668","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-668","url":"\/24.2-668\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/24.2-668\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-668","dublin_core":{"Title":"Pollbooks, statements of results, and ballots to be sealed and delivered to clerk or general registrar","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 24.2-668","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> After ascertaining the results and before adjourning, the officers shall put the pollbooks, the duplicate statements of results, and any printed inspection and return sheets in the envelopes provided by the <span class=\"dictionary\">State Board<\/span>. The officers shall seal the envelopes and direct them to the clerk of the <span class=\"dictionary\">circuit<\/span> court for the county or city. The pollbooks, statements, and sheets thus <span class=\"dictionary\">sealed<\/span> and directed, the <span class=\"dictionary\">sealed<\/span> counted ballots envelope or container, and the unused, defaced, spoiled and set aside ballots properly accounted for, packaged and <span class=\"dictionary\">sealed<\/span>, shall be conveyed by one of the officers to be determined by lot, if they cannot otherwise agree, to the <span class=\"dictionary\">clerk of court<\/span> by noon on the day following the <span class=\"dictionary\">election<\/span>.\n\t\t\tThe clerk shall retain <span class=\"dictionary\">custody<\/span> of the pollbooks, <span class=\"dictionary\">printed ballots<\/span>, and other <span class=\"dictionary\">elections<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">materials<\/span> until the time has expired for initiating a recount, contest, or other proceeding in which the pollbooks, <span class=\"dictionary\">printed ballots<\/span>, and other <span class=\"dictionary\">elections<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">materials<\/span> may be needed as <span class=\"dictionary\">evidence<\/span> and there is no proceeding pending. The clerk shall (i) secure all pollbooks, <span class=\"dictionary\">printed ballots<\/span> and other <span class=\"dictionary\">election<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">materials<\/span> in <span class=\"dictionary\">sealed<\/span> boxes; (ii) place all of the <span class=\"dictionary\">sealed<\/span> boxes in a vault or room not open to the public or to anyone other than the clerk and his staff; (iii) cause such vault or room to be securely locked except when access is necessary for the clerk and his staff; and (iv) upon the initiation of a recount, certify that these security measures have been taken in whatever form is deemed appropriate by the <span class=\"dictionary\">chief judge<\/span>.\n\t\t\tAfter that time the clerk shall deliver the pollbooks to the <span class=\"dictionary\">general registrar<\/span> who shall return the pollbooks or transfer a copy of the electronic data to the <span class=\"dictionary\">State Board<\/span> as directed by &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Duties and powers of general registrar\" href=\"\/24.2-114\/\">24.2-114<\/a> for voting credit purposes. After the pollbooks are returned by the <span class=\"dictionary\">State Board<\/span>, the <span class=\"dictionary\">general registrar<\/span> shall retain the pollbooks in his principal office for two years from the date of the <span class=\"dictionary\">election<\/span>. The clerk shall retain the statement of results and any printed inspection and return sheets for two years and may then destroy them. <a id=\"paragraph-235421\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/24.2-668\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> The <span class=\"dictionary\">local electoral board<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">general registrar<\/span> may direct that the officers of <span class=\"dictionary\">election<\/span>, in lieu of conveying the <span class=\"dictionary\">materials<\/span> to the clerk of the <span class=\"dictionary\">circuit<\/span> court as provided in subsection A, shall convey the <span class=\"dictionary\">materials<\/span> to the principal office of the <span class=\"dictionary\">general registrar<\/span> on the night of the <span class=\"dictionary\">election<\/span> or the morning following the <span class=\"dictionary\">election<\/span> as the board directs. The <span class=\"dictionary\">general registrar<\/span> shall secure and retain the <span class=\"dictionary\">materials<\/span> in his office and shall convey to the clerk of the court, by noon of the day following the ascertainment of the results of the <span class=\"dictionary\">election<\/span> by the electoral board, all of the <span class=\"dictionary\">election<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">materials<\/span>. The <span class=\"dictionary\">general registrar<\/span> shall retain for public inspection one copy of the statement of results. <a id=\"paragraph-235422\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/24.2-668\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> If an electronic pollbook is used, the data disc or cartridge containing the electronic records of the <span class=\"dictionary\">election<\/span>, or, alternately, a printed copy of the pollbook records of those who voted, shall be transmitted, <span class=\"dictionary\">sealed<\/span> and retained as required by this section, and otherwise treated as the pollbook for that <span class=\"dictionary\">election<\/span> for all purposes subsequent to the <span class=\"dictionary\">election<\/span>. Nothing in this title shall be construed to require that the equipment or software used to produce the electronic pollbook be <span class=\"dictionary\">sealed<\/span> or retained along with the pollbook, provided that the records for the <span class=\"dictionary\">election<\/span> have been transferred or printed according to the instructions of the <span class=\"dictionary\">State Board<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-235423\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/24.2-668\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPOLLBOOKS, STATEMENTS OF RESULTS, AND BALLOTS TO BE SEALED AND DELIVERED TO\nCLERK OR GENERAL REGISTRAR (\u00a7 24.2-668)\n\nA. After ascertaining the results and before adjourning, the officers shall put\nthe pollbooks, the duplicate statements of results, and any printed inspection\nand return sheets in the envelopes provided by the State Board. The officers\nshall seal the envelopes and direct them to the clerk of the circuit court for\nthe county or city. The pollbooks, statements, and sheets thus sealed and\ndirected, the sealed counted ballots envelope or container, and the unused,\ndefaced, spoiled and set aside ballots properly accounted for, packaged and\nsealed, shall be conveyed by one of the officers to be determined by lot, if\nthey cannot otherwise agree, to the clerk of court by noon on the day following\nthe election.\n\t\t\tThe clerk shall retain custody of the pollbooks, printed ballots, and other\nelections materials until the time has expired for initiating a recount,\ncontest, or other proceeding in which the pollbooks, printed ballots, and other\nelections materials may be needed as evidence and there is no proceeding\npending. The clerk shall (i) secure all pollbooks, printed ballots and other\nelection materials in sealed boxes; (ii) place all of the sealed boxes in a\nvault or room not open to the public or to anyone other than the clerk and his\nstaff; (iii) cause such vault or room to be securely locked except when access\nis necessary for the clerk and his staff; and (iv) upon the initiation of a\nrecount, certify that these security measures have been taken in whatever form\nis deemed appropriate by the chief judge.\n\t\t\tAfter that time the clerk shall deliver the pollbooks to the general\nregistrar who shall return the pollbooks or transfer a copy of the electronic\ndata to the State Board as directed by &#xA7; 24.2-114 for voting credit\npurposes. After the pollbooks are returned by the State Board, the general\nregistrar shall retain the pollbooks in his principal office for two years from\nthe date of the election. The clerk shall retain the statement of results and\nany printed inspection and return sheets for two years and may then destroy\nthem.\n\nB. The local electoral board or general registrar may direct that the officers\nof election, in lieu of conveying the materials to the clerk of the circuit\ncourt as provided in subsection A, shall convey the materials to the principal\noffice of the general registrar on the night of the election or the morning\nfollowing the election as the board directs. The general registrar shall secure\nand retain the materials in his office and shall convey to the clerk of the\ncourt, by noon of the day following the ascertainment of the results of the\nelection by the electoral board, all of the election materials. The general\nregistrar shall retain for public inspection one copy of the statement of\nresults.\n\nC. If an electronic pollbook is used, the data disc or cartridge containing the\nelectronic records of the election, or, alternately, a printed copy of the\npollbook records of those who voted, shall be transmitted, sealed and retained\nas required by this section, and otherwise treated as the pollbook for that\nelection for all purposes subsequent to the election. Nothing in this title\nshall be construed to require that the equipment or software used to produce the\nelectronic pollbook be sealed or retained along with the pollbook, provided that\nthe records for the election have been transferred or printed according to the\ninstructions of the State Board.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 24-232, 24-267, 24-268, 24-270; 1970, c. 462, \u00a7\u00a7\n24.1-143, 24.1-144; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 247; 1972, c. 620; 1973, c. 30; 1975, c.\n515; 1978, c. 778; 1981, c. 425; 1992, c. 293; 1993, c. 641; 1995, c. 197; 1996,\nc. 8; 1997, cc. 438, 456; 2002, c. 190; 2003, c. 1015; 2004, cc. 410, 835; 2007,\nc. 285; 2016, cc. 18, 492; 2020, c. 294.","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}}