{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/24.2-955.2.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/24.2-955.2.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/24.2-955.2.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/24.2-955.2.html"}],"law_id":69379,"edition_id":1,"section_id":69379,"structure_id":16245,"section_number":"24.2-955.2","catch_line":"Publications not to receive compensation for advocating candidacy; penalties","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 24-406; 1952, c. 4; 1970, c. 462, \u00a7 24.1-276; 1991, c. 709; 1993, c. 641, \u00a7 24.2-1013; 2001, c. 747; 2002, c. 487; 2006, cc. 787, 892; 2008, c. 825.","full_text":"A\n\nIt shall be unlawful for any owner, proprietor, editor, manager, officer, clerk, agent, reporter, or employee of any newspaper, magazine, or periodical printed or published in this Commonwealth to accept or receive or agree to accept or receive, for himself or another, any money or other valuable consideration for such newspaper, magazine, or other periodical supporting or advocating the election or defeat of any candidate. But nothing in this section shall prevent any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the publication of any newspaper, magazine or periodical from receiving from any person compensation for printing and publishing any matter, article or articles advocating the election or defeat of any candidate, if a statement, “Paid Advertisement,” appears in plain type in boldface Roman capitals in a conspicuous place at the beginning of the matter or article and the matter or article otherwise complies with the provisions of this chapter.B\n\nThe person accepting a “Paid Advertisement” for the newspaper, magazine or periodical shall require, and for one year shall retain a copy of, proof of the identity of the person who submits the advertisement for publication when the authorization statement on the advertisement is made pursuant to this chapter by an individual or entity other than a candidate, candidate campaign committee, political party committee, or political action committee. Proof of identity shall be submitted either (i) in person and include a valid Virginia driver’s license, or any other identification card issued by a government agency of the Commonwealth, one of its political subdivisions, or the United States, or (ii) other than in person, in which case, the person submitting the advertisement shall provide a telephone number and the person accepting the advertisement may phone the person to verify the validity of the person’s identifying information before publishing the advertisement. Any candidate clearly identified in the advertisement is entitled to the name of the person who submitted the advertisement after the publication of the advertisement in the newspaper, magazine, or periodical.C\n\nAny such owner, proprietor, editor, manager, officer, clerk, agent, reporter, or employee violating the provisions of subsection A or B shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $50; and, in the case of a willful violation, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The procedure to enforce the civil penalty provided in this section shall be as stated in Article 8 (§ 24.2-953 et seq.) of Chapter 9.3.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":250926,"text":"It shall be unlawful for any owner, proprietor, editor, manager, officer, clerk, agent, reporter, or employee of any newspaper, magazine, or periodical printed or published in this Commonwealth to accept or receive or agree to accept or receive, for himself or another, any money or other valuable consideration for such newspaper, magazine, or other periodical supporting or advocating the election or defeat of any candidate. But nothing in this section shall prevent any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the publication of any newspaper, magazine or periodical from receiving from any person compensation for printing and publishing any matter, article or articles advocating the election or defeat of any candidate, if a statement, “Paid Advertisement,” appears in plain type in boldface Roman capitals in a conspicuous place at the beginning of the matter or article and the matter or article otherwise complies with the provisions of this chapter.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":250927,"text":"The person accepting a “Paid Advertisement” for the newspaper, magazine or periodical shall require, and for one year shall retain a copy of, proof of the identity of the person who submits the advertisement for publication when the authorization statement on the advertisement is made pursuant to this chapter by an individual or entity other than a candidate, candidate campaign committee, political party committee, or political action committee. Proof of identity shall be submitted either (i) in person and include a valid Virginia driver’s license, or any other identification card issued by a government agency of the Commonwealth, one of its political subdivisions, or the United States, or (ii) other than in person, in which case, the person submitting the advertisement shall provide a telephone number and the person accepting the advertisement may phone the person to verify the validity of the person’s identifying information before publishing the advertisement. Any candidate clearly identified in the advertisement is entitled to the name of the person who submitted the advertisement after the publication of the advertisement in the newspaper, magazine, or periodical.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":250928,"text":"Any such owner, proprietor, editor, manager, officer, clerk, agent, reporter, or employee violating the provisions of subsection A or B shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $50; and, in the case of a willful violation, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The procedure to enforce the civil penalty provided in this section shall be as stated in Article 8 (§ 24.2-953 et seq.) of Chapter 9.3.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":16245,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14238,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 04:11:05","date_modified":"2026-06-26 04:11:05","permalink":{"id":189413,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":16245,"identifier":"1","token":"24.2\/9.5\/1","url":"\/24.2\/9.5\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14238,"edition_id":1,"name":"Political Campaign Advertisements","identifier":"9.5","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12937,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:25","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:25","permalink":{"id":189411,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14238,"identifier":"9.5","token":"24.2\/9.5","url":"\/24.2\/9.5\/","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":65584,"structure_id":16245,"section_number":"24.2-955","catch_line":"Scope of disclosure requirements","url":"\/24.2-955\/","token":"24.2\/9.5\/1\/24.2-955","metadata":false},{"id":79350,"structure_id":16245,"section_number":"24.2-955.1","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/24.2-955.1\/","token":"24.2\/9.5\/1\/24.2-955.1","metadata":false},{"id":69379,"structure_id":16245,"section_number":"24.2-955.2","catch_line":"Publications not to receive compensation for advocating candidacy; penalties","url":"\/24.2-955.2\/","token":"24.2\/9.5\/1\/24.2-955.2","metadata":false},{"id":68500,"structure_id":16245,"section_number":"24.2-955.3","catch_line":"Penalties for violations of this chapter","url":"\/24.2-955.3\/","token":"24.2\/9.5\/1\/24.2-955.3","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":79350,"structure_id":16245,"section_number":"24.2-955.1","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/24.2-955.1\/","token":"24.2\/9.5\/1\/24.2-955.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":68500,"structure_id":16245,"section_number":"24.2-955.3","catch_line":"Penalties for violations of this chapter","url":"\/24.2-955.3\/","token":"24.2\/9.5\/1\/24.2-955.3","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/24.2-955.2\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 8 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 1952, chapter 4; in 1970, chapter 462; in 1991, chapter 709; in 1993, chapter 641; in 2001, chapter 747<\/a>; in 2002, chapter 487<\/a>; in 2006, chapters 787<\/a> and 892<\/a>; in 2008, chapter 825<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":84901,"section_number":"24.2-953","catch_line":"General provisions","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-953\/"}],"permalink":{"id":189423,"object_type":"law","relational_id":69379,"identifier":"24.2-955.2","token":"24.2\/9.5\/1\/24.2-955.2","url":"\/24.2-955.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/24.2-955.2\/","token":"24.2\/9.5\/1\/24.2-955.2","dublin_core":{"Title":"Publications not to receive compensation for advocating candidacy; penalties","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 24.2-955.2","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> It shall be unlawful for any owner, proprietor, editor, manager, officer, clerk, agent, reporter, or employee of any newspaper, magazine, or periodical printed or published in this Commonwealth to accept or receive or agree to accept or receive, for himself or another, any money or other valuable consideration for such newspaper, magazine, or other periodical supporting or advocating the election<\/span> or defeat of any candidate<\/span>. But nothing in this section shall prevent any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the publication of any newspaper, magazine or periodical from receiving from any person compensation for printing and publishing any matter, article or articles advocating the election<\/span> or defeat of any candidate<\/span>, if a statement, “Paid Advertisement<\/span>,” appears in plain type in boldface Roman capitals in a conspicuous<\/span> place at the beginning of the matter or article and the matter or article otherwise complies with the provisions of this chapter. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The person accepting a “Paid Advertisement<\/span>” for the newspaper, magazine or periodical shall require, and for one year shall retain a copy of, proof of the identity of the person who submits the advertisement<\/span> for publication when the authorization<\/span> statement on the advertisement<\/span> is made pursuant to this chapter by an individual or entity other than a candidate, candidate campaign committee<\/span>, political party committee<\/span>, or political action committee<\/span>. Proof of identity shall be submitted either (i) in person and include a valid Virginia driver’s license, or any other identification card issued by a government agency of the Commonwealth, one of its political subdivisions, or the United States, or (ii) other than in person, in which case, the person submitting the advertisement<\/span> shall provide a telephone number and the person accepting the advertisement<\/span> may phone the person to verify the validity of the person’s identifying information before publishing the advertisement<\/span>. Any candidate clearly identified in the advertisement<\/span> is entitled to the name of the person who submitted the advertisement<\/span> after the publication of the advertisement<\/span> in the newspaper, magazine, or periodical. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Any such owner, proprietor, editor, manager, officer, clerk, agent, reporter, or employee violating the provisions of subsection A or B shall be subject to a civil penalty<\/span> not to exceed $50; and, in the case of a willful violation, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>. The procedure to enforce the civil penalty<\/span> provided in this section shall be as stated in Article 8 (§ 24.2-953<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 9.3. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPUBLICATIONS NOT TO RECEIVE COMPENSATION FOR ADVOCATING CANDIDACY; PENALTIES (\u00a7\n24.2-955.2)\n\nA. It shall be unlawful for any owner, proprietor, editor, manager, officer,\nclerk, agent, reporter, or employee of any newspaper, magazine, or periodical\nprinted or published in this Commonwealth to accept or receive or agree to\naccept or receive, for himself or another, any money or other valuable\nconsideration for such newspaper, magazine, or other periodical supporting or\nadvocating the election or defeat of any candidate. But nothing in this section\nshall prevent any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the publication of any\nnewspaper, magazine or periodical from receiving from any person compensation\nfor printing and publishing any matter, article or articles advocating the\nelection or defeat of any candidate, if a statement, “Paid\nAdvertisement,” appears in plain type in boldface Roman capitals in a\nconspicuous place at the beginning of the matter or article and the matter or\narticle otherwise complies with the provisions of this chapter.\n\nB. The person accepting a “Paid Advertisement” for the newspaper,\nmagazine or periodical shall require, and for one year shall retain a copy of,\nproof of the identity of the person who submits the advertisement for\npublication when the authorization statement on the advertisement is made\npursuant to this chapter by an individual or entity other than a candidate,\ncandidate campaign committee, political party committee, or political action\ncommittee. Proof of identity shall be submitted either (i) in person and include\na valid Virginia driver’s license, or any other identification card issued\nby a government agency of the Commonwealth, one of its political subdivisions,\nor the United States, or (ii) other than in person, in which case, the person\nsubmitting the advertisement shall provide a telephone number and the person\naccepting the advertisement may phone the person to verify the validity of the\nperson’s identifying information before publishing the advertisement. Any\ncandidate clearly identified in the advertisement is entitled to the name of the\nperson who submitted the advertisement after the publication of the\nadvertisement in the newspaper, magazine, or periodical.\n\nC. Any such owner, proprietor, editor, manager, officer, clerk, agent, reporter,\nor employee violating the provisions of subsection A or B shall be subject to a\ncivil penalty not to exceed $50; and, in the case of a willful violation, he\nshall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The procedure to enforce the civil\npenalty provided in this section shall be as stated in Article 8 (§\n24.2-953 et seq.) of Chapter 9.3.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 24-406; 1952, c. 4; 1970, c. 462, \u00a7 24.1-276; 1991, c.\n709; 1993, c. 641, \u00a7 24.2-1013; 2001, c. 747; 2002, c. 487; 2006, cc. 787, 892;\n2008, c. 825.","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}}