{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/24.2-709.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/24.2-709.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/24.2-709.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/24.2-709.html"}],"law_id":57665,"edition_id":1,"section_id":57665,"structure_id":13627,"section_number":"24.2-709","catch_line":"Ballot to be returned in manner prescribed by law","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 24-328; 1956, c. 525; 1970, c. 462, \u00a7 24.1-230; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 119; 1975, c. 515; 1993, c. 641; 2002, cc. 785, 819; 2006, c. 297; 2010, cc. 449, 645; 2011, c. 654; 2012, c. 353; 2014, c. 580; 2015, cc. 644, 645; 2019, cc. 668, 669; 2020, cc. 288, 933, 1149, 1151, 1201; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 471, 522.","full_text":"A\n\nAny ballot returned to the office of the general registrar or to a drop-off location in any manner except as prescribed by law shall be void. Absentee ballots shall be returned to the general registrar or to a drop-off location before the closing of the polls. Any voter who is in line to return an absentee ballot at a drop-off location by 7:00 p.m. on the day of the election shall be permitted to deposit his absentee ballot. The registrar receiving the ballot shall (i) seal the ballot in an envelope with the statement or declaration of the voter, or both, attached to the outside and (ii) mark on each envelope the date, time, and manner of delivery. No returned absentee ballot shall be deemed void because (a) the inner envelope containing the voted ballot is imperfectly sealed so long as the outside envelope containing the ballot envelope is sealed or (b) it is not returned sealed in the outside envelope so long as it is returned sealed in the inner envelope.B\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, any absentee ballot (i) returned to the general registrar after the closing of the polls on election day but before noon on the third day after the election and (ii) postmarked on or before the date of the election shall be counted pursuant to the procedures set forth in this chapter if the voter is found entitled to vote. For purposes of this subsection, a postmark shall include any other official indicia of confirmation of mailing by the United States Postal Service or other postal or delivery service.C\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, any absentee ballot (i) received after the close of the polls on any election day, (ii) received before 5:00 p.m. on the second business day before the State Board meets to ascertain the results of the election pursuant to this title, (iii) requested on or before but not sent by the deadline for making absentee ballots available under § 24.2-612, and (iv) cast by a covered voter, as defined in § 24.2-452, shall be counted pursuant to the procedures set forth in this chapter if the voter is found entitled to vote. The electoral board shall prepare an amended certified abstract, which shall include the results of such ballots, and shall deliver such abstract to the State Board by the business day prior to its meeting pursuant to this title, and shall deliver a copy of such abstract to the general registrar to be available for inspection when his office is open for business.D\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of clause (i) of subsection B of § 24.2-427, an absentee ballot returned by a voter in compliance with § 24.2-707 and this section who dies prior to the counting of absentee ballots on election day shall be counted pursuant to the procedures set forth in this chapter if the voter is found to have been entitled to vote at the time that he returned the ballot.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":211259,"text":"Any ballot returned to the office of the general registrar or to a drop-off location in any manner except as prescribed by law shall be void. Absentee ballots shall be returned to the general registrar or to a drop-off location before the closing of the polls. Any voter who is in line to return an absentee ballot at a drop-off location by 7:00 p.m. on the day of the election shall be permitted to deposit his absentee ballot. The registrar receiving the ballot shall (i) seal the ballot in an envelope with the statement or declaration of the voter, or both, attached to the outside and (ii) mark on each envelope the date, time, and manner of delivery. No returned absentee ballot shall be deemed void because (a) the inner envelope containing the voted ballot is imperfectly sealed so long as the outside envelope containing the ballot envelope is sealed or (b) it is not returned sealed in the outside envelope so long as it is returned sealed in the inner envelope.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":211260,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, any absentee ballot (i) returned to the general registrar after the closing of the polls on election day but before noon on the third day after the election and (ii) postmarked on or before the date of the election shall be counted pursuant to the procedures set forth in this chapter if the voter is found entitled to vote. For purposes of this subsection, a postmark shall include any other official indicia of confirmation of mailing by the United States Postal Service or other postal or delivery service.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":211261,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, any absentee ballot (i) received after the close of the polls on any election day, (ii) received before 5:00 p.m. on the second business day before the State Board meets to ascertain the results of the election pursuant to this title, (iii) requested on or before but not sent by the deadline for making absentee ballots available under § 24.2-612, and (iv) cast by a covered voter, as defined in § 24.2-452, shall be counted pursuant to the procedures set forth in this chapter if the voter is found entitled to vote. The electoral board shall prepare an amended certified abstract, which shall include the results of such ballots, and shall deliver such abstract to the State Board by the business day prior to its meeting pursuant to this title, and shall deliver a copy of such abstract to the general registrar to be available for inspection when his office is open for business.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":211262,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of clause (i) of subsection B of § 24.2-427, an absentee ballot returned by a voter in compliance with § 24.2-707 and this section who dies prior to the counting of absentee ballots on election day shall be counted pursuant to the procedures set forth in this chapter if the voter is found to have been entitled to vote at the time that he returned the ballot.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13627,"edition_id":1,"name":"Absentee Voting","identifier":"7","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12937,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:25","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:25","permalink":{"id":188855,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13627,"identifier":"7","token":"24.2\/7","url":"\/24.2\/7\/","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":69610,"structure_id":13627,"section_number":"24.2-700","catch_line":"Persons entitled to vote by absentee ballot","url":"\/24.2-700\/","token":"24.2\/7\/24.2-700","metadata":false},{"id":84793,"structure_id":13627,"section_number":"24.2-700.1","catch_line":"Persons entitled to vote by absentee ballot; persons confined awaiting trial or for conviction of a misdemeanor","url":"\/24.2-700.1\/","token":"24.2\/7\/24.2-700.1","metadata":false},{"id":60154,"structure_id":13627,"section_number":"24.2-701","catch_line":"Application for absentee ballot","url":"\/24.2-701\/","token":"24.2\/7\/24.2-701","metadata":false},{"id":85860,"structure_id":13627,"section_number":"24.2-701.1","catch_line":"Absentee voting in person","url":"\/24.2-701.1\/","token":"24.2\/7\/24.2-701.1","metadata":false},{"id":84700,"structure_id":13627,"section_number":"24.2-701.2","catch_line":"Absentee voting in person; voter satellite offices","url":"\/24.2-701.2\/","token":"24.2\/7\/24.2-701.2","metadata":false},{"id":54857,"structure_id":13627,"section_number":"24.2-702","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/24.2-702\/","token":"24.2\/7\/24.2-702","metadata":false},{"id":86385,"structure_id":13627,"section_number":"24.2-702.1","catch_line":"Federal write-in absentee ballots","url":"\/24.2-702.1\/","token":"24.2\/7\/24.2-702.1","metadata":false},{"id":70207,"structure_id":13627,"section_number":"24.2-703","catch_line":"Application for absentee ballots for multiple elections for uniformed and overseas voters","url":"\/24.2-703\/","token":"24.2\/7\/24.2-703","metadata":false},{"id":56138,"structure_id":13627,"section_number":"24.2-703.1","catch_line":"Permanent absentee voter list","url":"\/24.2-703.1\/","token":"24.2\/7\/24.2-703.1","metadata":false},{"id":65968,"structure_id":13627,"section_number":"24.2-703.2","catch_line":"Replacement absentee ballots for certain disabled or ill voters; 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voting by applicant who did not receive or lost ballot; defaced ballots","url":"\/24.2-708\/","token":"24.2\/7\/24.2-708","metadata":false},{"id":57665,"structure_id":13627,"section_number":"24.2-709","catch_line":"Ballot to be returned in manner prescribed by law","url":"\/24.2-709\/","token":"24.2\/7\/24.2-709","metadata":false},{"id":60441,"structure_id":13627,"section_number":"24.2-709.1","catch_line":"Processing returned absentee ballots before election day; cure process","url":"\/24.2-709.1\/","token":"24.2\/7\/24.2-709.1","metadata":false},{"id":63927,"structure_id":13627,"section_number":"24.2-710","catch_line":"Absentee voter applicant lists","url":"\/24.2-710\/","token":"24.2\/7\/24.2-710","metadata":false},{"id":84940,"structure_id":13627,"section_number":"24.2-711","catch_line":"Duties of electoral board, general registrar, and officers of election","url":"\/24.2-711\/","token":"24.2\/7\/24.2-711","metadata":false},{"id":76028,"structure_id":13627,"section_number":"24.2-711.1","catch_line":"Absentee ballots; confirmation of receipt; notice of reason for rejection","url":"\/24.2-711.1\/","token":"24.2\/7\/24.2-711.1","metadata":false},{"id":59219,"structure_id":13627,"section_number":"24.2-712","catch_line":"Central absentee voter precincts; counting ballots","url":"\/24.2-712\/","token":"24.2\/7\/24.2-712","metadata":false},{"id":60075,"structure_id":13627,"section_number":"24.2-713","catch_line":"Emergency authority of the Commissioner of Elections","url":"\/24.2-713\/","token":"24.2\/7\/24.2-713","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":54596,"structure_id":13627,"section_number":"24.2-708","catch_line":"Return of unused ballots; voting by applicant who did not receive or lost ballot; defaced ballots","url":"\/24.2-708\/","token":"24.2\/7\/24.2-708","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":60441,"structure_id":13627,"section_number":"24.2-709.1","catch_line":"Processing returned absentee ballots before election day; cure process","url":"\/24.2-709.1\/","token":"24.2\/7\/24.2-709.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/24.2-709\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 13 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 1956, chapter 525; in 1970, chapter 462; in 1975, chapter 515; in 1993, chapter 641; in 2002, chapters 785<\/a> and 819<\/a>; in 2006, chapter 297<\/a>; in 2010, chapters 449<\/a> and 645<\/a>; in 2011, chapter 654<\/a>; in 2012, chapter 353<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 580<\/a>; in 2015, chapters 644<\/a> and 645<\/a>; in 2019, chapters 668<\/a> and 669<\/a>; in 2020, chapters 288<\/a>, 933<\/a>, 1149<\/a>, 1151<\/a>, and 1201<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":59764,"section_number":"24.2-462","catch_line":"Receipt of voted ballot","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-462\/"},{"id":84793,"section_number":"24.2-700.1","catch_line":"Persons entitled to vote by absentee ballot; persons confined awaiting trial or for conviction of a misdemeanor","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-700.1\/"},{"id":86385,"section_number":"24.2-702.1","catch_line":"Federal write-in absentee ballots","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-702.1\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":79027,"section_number":"24.2-427","catch_line":"Cancellation of registration by voter or for persons known to be deceased or disqualified to vote","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-427\/"},{"id":56695,"section_number":"24.2-452","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-452\/"},{"id":57868,"section_number":"24.2-612","catch_line":"List of offices and candidates filed with Department of Elections and checked for accuracy; when ballots printed; number required","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-612\/"},{"id":70050,"section_number":"24.2-707","catch_line":"How ballots marked and returned","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-707\/"}],"permalink":{"id":188925,"object_type":"law","relational_id":57665,"identifier":"24.2-709","token":"24.2\/7\/24.2-709","url":"\/24.2-709\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/24.2-709\/","token":"24.2\/7\/24.2-709","dublin_core":{"Title":"Ballot to be returned in manner prescribed by law","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 24.2-709","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Any ballot returned to the office of the general registrar<\/span> or to a drop-off location in any manner except as prescribed by law<\/span> shall be void. Absentee ballots shall be returned to the general registrar<\/span> or to a drop-off location before the closing of the polls. Any voter who is in line to return an absentee ballot at a drop-off location by 7:00 p.m. on the day of the election<\/span> shall be permitted to deposit his absentee ballot. The registrar receiving the ballot shall (i) seal the ballot in an envelope with the statement or declaration of the voter, or both, attached to the outside and (ii) mark on each envelope the date, time, and manner of delivery. No returned absentee ballot shall be deemed void because (a) the inner envelope containing the voted ballot is imperfectly sealed<\/span> so long as the outside envelope containing the ballot envelope is sealed<\/span> or (b) it is not returned sealed<\/span> in the outside envelope so long as it is returned sealed<\/span> in the inner envelope. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, any absentee ballot (i) returned to the general registrar<\/span> after the closing of the polls on election<\/span> day but before noon on the third day after the election<\/span> and (ii) postmarked on or before the date of the election<\/span> shall be counted pursuant to the procedures set forth in this chapter if the voter is found entitled to vote. For purposes of this subsection, a postmark shall include any other official indicia of confirmation of mailing by the United States Postal Service or other postal or delivery service. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, any absentee ballot (i) received after the close of the polls on any election<\/span> day, (ii) received before 5:00 p.m. on the second business day before the State Board<\/span> meets to ascertain the results of the election<\/span> pursuant to this title, (iii) requested on or before but not sent by the deadline for making absentee ballots available under § 24.2-612<\/a>, and (iv) cast by a covered voter, as defined in § 24.2-452<\/a>, shall be counted pursuant to the procedures set forth in this chapter if the voter is found entitled to vote. The electoral board<\/span> shall prepare an amended certified abstract, which shall include the results of such ballots, and shall deliver such abstract to the State Board<\/span> by the business day prior to its meeting pursuant to this title, and shall deliver a copy of such abstract to the general registrar<\/span> to be available for inspection when his office is open for business. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Notwithstanding the provisions of clause (i) of subsection B of § 24.2-427<\/a>, an absentee ballot returned by a voter in compliance with § 24.2-707<\/a> and this section who dies prior to the counting of absentee ballots on election<\/span> day shall be counted pursuant to the procedures set forth in this chapter if the voter is found to have been entitled to vote at the time that he returned the ballot. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nBALLOT TO BE RETURNED IN MANNER PRESCRIBED BY LAW (\u00a7 24.2-709)\n\nA. Any ballot returned to the office of the general registrar or to a drop-off\nlocation in any manner except as prescribed by law shall be void. Absentee\nballots shall be returned to the general registrar or to a drop-off location\nbefore the closing of the polls. Any voter who is in line to return an absentee\nballot at a drop-off location by 7:00 p.m. on the day of the election shall be\npermitted to deposit his absentee ballot. The registrar receiving the ballot\nshall (i) seal the ballot in an envelope with the statement or declaration of\nthe voter, or both, attached to the outside and (ii) mark on each envelope the\ndate, time, and manner of delivery. No returned absentee ballot shall be deemed\nvoid because (a) the inner envelope containing the voted ballot is imperfectly\nsealed so long as the outside envelope containing the ballot envelope is sealed\nor (b) it is not returned sealed in the outside envelope so long as it is\nreturned sealed in the inner envelope.\n\nB. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, any absentee ballot (i)\nreturned to the general registrar after the closing of the polls on election day\nbut before noon on the third day after the election and (ii) postmarked on or\nbefore the date of the election shall be counted pursuant to the procedures set\nforth in this chapter if the voter is found entitled to vote. For purposes of\nthis subsection, a postmark shall include any other official indicia of\nconfirmation of mailing by the United States Postal Service or other postal or\ndelivery service.\n\nC. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, any absentee ballot (i)\nreceived after the close of the polls on any election day, (ii) received before\n5:00 p.m. on the second business day before the State Board meets to ascertain\nthe results of the election pursuant to this title, (iii) requested on or before\nbut not sent by the deadline for making absentee ballots available under §\n24.2-612, and (iv) cast by a covered voter, as defined in § 24.2-452, shall\nbe counted pursuant to the procedures set forth in this chapter if the voter is\nfound entitled to vote. The electoral board shall prepare an amended certified\nabstract, which shall include the results of such ballots, and shall deliver\nsuch abstract to the State Board by the business day prior to its meeting\npursuant to this title, and shall deliver a copy of such abstract to the general\nregistrar to be available for inspection when his office is open for business.\n\nD. Notwithstanding the provisions of clause (i) of subsection B of §\n24.2-427, an absentee ballot returned by a voter in compliance with §\n24.2-707 and this section who dies prior to the counting of absentee ballots on\nelection day shall be counted pursuant to the procedures set forth in this\nchapter if the voter is found to have been entitled to vote at the time that he\nreturned the ballot.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 24-328; 1956, c. 525; 1970, c. 462, \u00a7 24.1-230; 1971,\nEx. Sess., c. 119; 1975, c. 515; 1993, c. 641; 2002, cc. 785, 819; 2006, c. 297;\n2010, cc. 449, 645; 2011, c. 654; 2012, c. 353; 2014, c. 580; 2015, cc. 644,\n645; 2019, cc. 668, 669; 2020, cc. 288, 933, 1149, 1151, 1201; 2021, Sp. Sess.\nI, cc. 471, 522.","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}}