{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/24.2-684.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/24.2-684.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/24.2-684.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/24.2-684.html"}],"law_id":82479,"edition_id":1,"section_id":82479,"structure_id":15255,"section_number":"24.2-684","catch_line":"How referendum elections called and held, and the results ascertained and certified","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 24-141; 1966, c. 115; 1970, c. 462, \u00a7 24.1-165; 1974, c. 428; 1975, c. 515; 1976, c. 616; 1978, cc. 258, 304; 1979, c. 37; 1980, c. 639; 1981, c. 367; 1982, cc. 498, 650; 1983, c. 461; 1991, c. 592; 1993, c. 641; 1994, c. 142; 1996, c. 297; 2016, cc. 18, 492.","full_text":"Notwithstanding any other provision of any law or charter to the contrary, the provisions of this section shall govern all referenda.\n\t\tNo referendum shall be placed on the ballot unless specifically authorized by statute or by charter.\n\t\tWhenever any question is to be submitted to the voters of any county, city, town, or other local subdivision, the referendum shall in every case be held pursuant to a court order as provided in this section. The court order calling a referendum shall state the question to appear on the ballot in plain English as that term is defined in \u00a7 24.2-687. The order shall be entered and the election held within a reasonable period of time subsequent to the receipt of the request for the referendum if the request is found to be in proper order. The court order shall set the date for the referendum in conformity with the requirements of \u00a7 24.2-682.\n\t\tA copy of the court order calling a referendum shall be sent immediately to the State Board by the clerk of the court in which the order was issued.\n\t\tThe ballot shall be prepared by the appropriate general registrar and distributed to the appropriate precincts. On the day fixed for the referendum, the regular election officers shall open the polls and take the sense of the qualified voters of the county, city, town, or other local subdivision, as the case may be, on the question so submitted. The ballots for use at any such election shall be printed to state the question as follows:\n\t\t“(Here state briefly the question submitted)\n\t\t[ ] Yes\n\t\t[ ] No”\n\t\tThe ballots shall be printed, marked, and counted and returns made and canvassed as in other elections. The results shall be certified by the secretary of the appropriate electoral board to the State Board, to the court ordering the election, and to such other authority as may be proper to accomplish the purpose of the election.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":295507,"text":"Notwithstanding any other provision of any law or charter to the contrary, the provisions of this section shall govern all referenda.\n\t\tNo referendum shall be placed on the ballot unless specifically authorized by statute or by charter.\n\t\tWhenever any question is to be submitted to the voters of any county, city, town, or other local subdivision, the referendum shall in every case be held pursuant to a court order as provided in this section. The court order calling a referendum shall state the question to appear on the ballot in plain English as that term is defined in \u00a7 24.2-687. The order shall be entered and the election held within a reasonable period of time subsequent to the receipt of the request for the referendum if the request is found to be in proper order. The court order shall set the date for the referendum in conformity with the requirements of \u00a7 24.2-682.\n\t\tA copy of the court order calling a referendum shall be sent immediately to the State Board by the clerk of the court in which the order was issued.\n\t\tThe ballot shall be prepared by the appropriate general registrar and distributed to the appropriate precincts. On the day fixed for the referendum, the regular election officers shall open the polls and take the sense of the qualified voters of the county, city, town, or other local subdivision, as the case may be, on the question so submitted. The ballots for use at any such election shall be printed to state the question as follows:\n\t\t“(Here state briefly the question submitted)\n\t\t[ ] Yes\n\t\t[ ] No”\n\t\tThe ballots shall be printed, marked, and counted and returns made and canvassed as in other elections. The results shall be certified by the secretary of the appropriate electoral board to the State Board, to the court ordering the election, and to such other authority as may be proper to accomplish the purpose of the election.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":15255,"edition_id":1,"name":"Special Elections","identifier":"5","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13022,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:53:23","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:53:23","permalink":{"id":188821,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15255,"identifier":"5","token":"24.2\/6\/5","url":"\/24.2\/6\/5\/","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":58078,"structure_id":15255,"section_number":"24.2-681","catch_line":"How special elections superintended and determined","url":"\/24.2-681\/","token":"24.2\/6\/5\/24.2-681","metadata":false},{"id":77612,"structure_id":15255,"section_number":"24.2-682","catch_line":"Times for special elections","url":"\/24.2-682\/","token":"24.2\/6\/5\/24.2-682","metadata":false},{"id":62176,"structure_id":15255,"section_number":"24.2-683","catch_line":"Writ for special election to fill a vacancy","url":"\/24.2-683\/","token":"24.2\/6\/5\/24.2-683","metadata":false},{"id":82479,"structure_id":15255,"section_number":"24.2-684","catch_line":"How referendum elections called and held, and the results ascertained and certified","url":"\/24.2-684\/","token":"24.2\/6\/5\/24.2-684","metadata":false},{"id":61714,"structure_id":15255,"section_number":"24.2-684.1","catch_line":"Requirements for voter petitions to call for referendum elections","url":"\/24.2-684.1\/","token":"24.2\/6\/5\/24.2-684.1","metadata":false},{"id":86439,"structure_id":15255,"section_number":"24.2-685","catch_line":"Special elections; request for abolition of constitutional offices","url":"\/24.2-685\/","token":"24.2\/6\/5\/24.2-685","metadata":false},{"id":67928,"structure_id":15255,"section_number":"24.2-686","catch_line":"Special elections; petition and referendum requirements; abolition of constitutional office by change in form of government","url":"\/24.2-686\/","token":"24.2\/6\/5\/24.2-686","metadata":false},{"id":73402,"structure_id":15255,"section_number":"24.2-687","catch_line":"Authorization for distribution of information on referendum elections","url":"\/24.2-687\/","token":"24.2\/6\/5\/24.2-687","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":62176,"structure_id":15255,"section_number":"24.2-683","catch_line":"Writ for special election to fill a vacancy","url":"\/24.2-683\/","token":"24.2\/6\/5\/24.2-683","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":61714,"structure_id":15255,"section_number":"24.2-684.1","catch_line":"Requirements for voter petitions to call for referendum elections","url":"\/24.2-684.1\/","token":"24.2\/6\/5\/24.2-684.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/24.2-684\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 16 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 1966, chapter 115; in 1970, chapter 462; in 1974, chapter 428; in 1975, chapter 515; in 1976, chapter 616; in 1978, chapters 258 and 304; in 1979, chapter 37; in 1980, chapter 639; in 1981, chapter 367; in 1982, chapters 498 and 650; in 1983, chapter 461; in 1991, chapter 592; in 1993, chapter 641; in 1994, chapter 142<\/a>; in 1996, chapter 297<\/a>; in 2016, chapters 18<\/a> and 492<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":81008,"section_number":"15.2-1703","catch_line":"Referendum to abolish county police force","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1703\/"},{"id":57211,"section_number":"15.2-301","catch_line":"Petition or resolution asking for referendum; notice; conduct of election","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-301\/"},{"id":66014,"section_number":"15.2-3704","catch_line":"Order for election; conduct of election","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3704\/"},{"id":59085,"section_number":"15.2-3801","catch_line":"Referendum","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3801\/"},{"id":61723,"section_number":"15.2-3907","catch_line":"Hearing and decision by court","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3907\/"},{"id":66735,"section_number":"15.2-5105","catch_line":"Hearing; referendum","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-5105\/"},{"id":79988,"section_number":"15.2-5403","catch_line":"Creation of electric authority; referendum","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-5403\/"},{"id":87226,"section_number":"15.2-5431.6","catch_line":"Hearing; referendum","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-5431.6\/"},{"id":68277,"section_number":"15.2-603","catch_line":"Referendum on election of supervisors by districts or at large","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-603\/"},{"id":60187,"section_number":"15.2-716","catch_line":"Referendum for establishment of department of real estate assessments; board of equalization; general reassessments in county where department established","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-716\/"},{"id":75145,"section_number":"21-123","catch_line":"Order requiring election","order_by":null,"url":"\/21-123\/"},{"id":62396,"section_number":"21-124","catch_line":"Conduct of election; canvass of returns, etc","order_by":null,"url":"\/21-124\/"},{"id":72133,"section_number":"22.1-104","catch_line":"Same; order for referendum; notice","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-104\/"},{"id":67821,"section_number":"22.1-105","catch_line":"Same; conduct of referendum; certification of results","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-105\/"},{"id":61173,"section_number":"22.1-57.2","catch_line":"Referendum on direct election of school board members by the voters","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-57.2\/"},{"id":57783,"section_number":"24.2-219","catch_line":"Alternative for biennial county supervisor elections and staggered terms","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-219\/"},{"id":70449,"section_number":"24.2-222.1","catch_line":"Alternative election of mayor and council at November general election in cities and towns","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-222.1\/"},{"id":54470,"section_number":"3.2-6539","catch_line":"Ordinance requiring dogs to be kept on leash","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6539\/"},{"id":65757,"section_number":"33.2-344","catch_line":"Election to determine return to the secondary state highway system","order_by":null,"url":"\/33.2-344\/"},{"id":69433,"section_number":"33.2-723","catch_line":"Assumption of district highway indebtedness by counties","order_by":null,"url":"\/33.2-723\/"},{"id":67331,"section_number":"4.1-121","catch_line":"Referendum on establishment of government stores","order_by":null,"url":"\/4.1-121\/"},{"id":82559,"section_number":"4.1-123","catch_line":"Referendum on Sunday wine and beer sales; exception","order_by":null,"url":"\/4.1-123\/"},{"id":77890,"section_number":"58.1-605.1","catch_line":"Additional local sales tax in certain localities; use of revenues for construction or renovation of schools","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-605.1\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":77612,"section_number":"24.2-682","catch_line":"Times for special elections","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-682\/"},{"id":73402,"section_number":"24.2-687","catch_line":"Authorization for distribution of information on referendum elections","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-687\/"}],"permalink":{"id":188835,"object_type":"law","relational_id":82479,"identifier":"24.2-684","token":"24.2\/6\/5\/24.2-684","url":"\/24.2-684\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/24.2-684\/","token":"24.2\/6\/5\/24.2-684","dublin_core":{"Title":"How referendum elections called and held, and the results ascertained and certified","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 24.2-684","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Notwithstanding any other provision of any law<\/span> or charter to the contrary, the provisions of this section shall govern all referenda.\n\t\tNo referendum<\/span> shall be placed on the ballot unless specifically authorized by statute<\/span> or by charter.\n\t\tWhenever any question is to be submitted to the voters of any county, city, town, or other local subdivision, the referendum<\/span> shall in every case be held pursuant to a court order<\/span> as provided in this section. The court order<\/span> calling a referendum<\/span> shall state the question to appear on the ballot in plain English as that term is defined in \u00a7 24.2-687<\/a>. The order shall be entered and the election<\/span> held within a reasonable period of time subsequent to the receipt of the request for the referendum<\/span> if the request is found to be in proper order. The court order<\/span> shall set the date for the referendum<\/span> in conformity with the requirements of \u00a7 24.2-682<\/a>.\n\t\tA copy of the court order<\/span> calling a referendum<\/span> shall be sent immediately to the State Board<\/span> by the clerk of the court in which the order was issued.\n\t\tThe ballot shall be prepared by the appropriate general registrar<\/span> and distributed to the appropriate precincts<\/span>. On the day fixed for the referendum<\/span>, the regular election<\/span> officers shall open the polls and take the sense of the qualified voters<\/span> of the county, city, town, or other local subdivision, as the case may be, on the question so submitted. The ballots for use at any such election<\/span> shall be printed to state the question as follows:\n\t\t“(Here state briefly the question submitted)\n\t\t[ ] Yes\n\t\t[ ] No”\n\t\tThe ballots shall be printed, marked, and counted and returns made and canvassed as in other elections<\/span>. The results shall be certified by the secretary of the appropriate electoral board<\/span> to the State Board<\/span>, to the court ordering the election<\/span>, and to such other authority as may be proper to accomplish the purpose of the election<\/span>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nHOW REFERENDUM ELECTIONS CALLED AND HELD, AND THE RESULTS ASCERTAINED AND\nCERTIFIED (\u00a7 24.2-684)\n\nNotwithstanding any other provision of any law or charter to the contrary, the\nprovisions of this section shall govern all referenda.\n\t\tNo referendum shall be placed on the ballot unless specifically authorized by\nstatute or by charter.\n\t\tWhenever any question is to be submitted to the voters of any county, city,\ntown, or other local subdivision, the referendum shall in every case be held\npursuant to a court order as provided in this section. The court order calling a\nreferendum shall state the question to appear on the ballot in plain English as\nthat term is defined in \u00a7 24.2-687. The order shall be entered and the election\nheld within a reasonable period of time subsequent to the receipt of the request\nfor the referendum if the request is found to be in proper order. The court\norder shall set the date for the referendum in conformity with the requirements\nof \u00a7 24.2-682.\n\t\tA copy of the court order calling a referendum shall be sent immediately to\nthe State Board by the clerk of the court in which the order was issued.\n\t\tThe ballot shall be prepared by the appropriate general registrar and\ndistributed to the appropriate precincts. On the day fixed for the referendum,\nthe regular election officers shall open the polls and take the sense of the\nqualified voters of the county, city, town, or other local subdivision, as the\ncase may be, on the question so submitted. The ballots for use at any such\nelection shall be printed to state the question as follows:\n\t\t“(Here state briefly the question submitted)\n\t\t[ ] Yes\n\t\t[ ] No”\n\t\tThe ballots shall be printed, marked, and counted and returns made and\ncanvassed as in other elections. The results shall be certified by the secretary\nof the appropriate electoral board to the State Board, to the court ordering the\nelection, and to such other authority as may be proper to accomplish the purpose\nof the election.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 24-141; 1966, c. 115; 1970, c. 462, \u00a7 24.1-165; 1974, c.\n428; 1975, c. 515; 1976, c. 616; 1978, cc. 258, 304; 1979, c. 37; 1980, c. 639;\n1981, c. 367; 1982, cc. 498, 650; 1983, c. 461; 1991, c. 592; 1993, c. 641;\n1994, c. 142; 1996, c. 297; 2016, cc. 18, 492.","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}}