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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>68918</law_id><section_number>24.2-114</section_number><catch_line>Duties and powers of general registrar</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>15.2-3226</reference><reference>15.2-3240</reference><reference>15.2-3604</reference><reference>15.2-3831</reference><reference>24.2-101</reference><reference>24.2-418</reference><reference>24.2-444</reference><reference>24.2-653.01</reference><reference>24.2-668</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="24.2">Elections</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="1">General Provisions and Administration</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="4">Registrars</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>In addition to the other duties required by this title, the <span class="dictionary">general registrar</span>, and the deputy registrars acting under his supervision, shall:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Maintain the office of the <span class="dictionary">general registrar</span> and establish and maintain additional public places for voter registration in accordance with the provisions of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Other locations and times for voter registration" href="/24.2-412/">24.2-412</a>. <a id="paragraph-249497" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/24.2-114/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Participate in programs to educate the general public concerning registration and encourage registration by the general public. No registrar shall actively solicit, in a selective manner, any application for registration or for a ballot or offer anything of value for any such application. <a id="paragraph-249498" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/24.2-114/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Perform his duties within the county or city he was appointed to serve, except that a registrar may (i) go into a county or city in the Commonwealth contiguous to his county or city to register voters of his county or city when conducting registration jointly with the registrar of the contiguous county or city or (ii) notwithstanding any other provision of <span class="dictionary">law</span>, participate in multijurisdictional staffing for voter registration offices, approved by the <span class="dictionary">State Board</span>, that are located at facilities of the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of Motor Vehicles. <a id="paragraph-249499" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/24.2-114/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Provide the appropriate forms for applications to register and to obtain the information necessary to complete the applications pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of Virginia and general <span class="dictionary">law</span>. <a id="paragraph-249500" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/24.2-114/#4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="5"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Indicate on the <span class="dictionary">registration records</span> for each accepted mail voter registration application form returned by mail pursuant to Article 3.1 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Voter registration by mail" href="/24.2-416.1/">24.2-416.1</a> et seq.) of Chapter 4 that the registrant has registered by mail. The <span class="dictionary">general registrar</span> shall fulfill this duty in accordance with the instructions of the <span class="dictionary">State Board</span> so that those persons who registered by mail are identified on the <span class="dictionary">registration records</span>, lists of <span class="dictionary">registered voters</span> furnished pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Lists of registered voters" href="/24.2-405/">24.2-405</a>, lists of persons who voted furnished pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Lists of persons voting at elections" href="/24.2-406/">24.2-406</a>, and pollbooks used for the conduct of <span class="dictionary">elections</span>. <a id="paragraph-249501" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/24.2-114/#5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="6"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Accept a registration application or request for transfer or change of address submitted by or for a resident of any other county or city in the Commonwealth. Registrars shall process registration applications and requests for transfer or change of address from residents of other counties and cities in accordance with written instructions from the <span class="dictionary">State Board</span> and shall forward the completed application or request to the registrar of the applicant&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">residence</span>. Notwithstanding the provisions of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Closing registration records before elections" href="/24.2-416/">24.2-416</a>, the registrar of the applicant&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">residence</span> shall recognize as timely any application or request for transfer or change of address submitted to any person authorized to receive voter registration applications pursuant to Chapter 4 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Persons entitled to register and vote" href="/24.2-400/">24.2-400</a> et seq.), prior to or on the final day of registration. The registrar of the applicant&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">residence</span> shall determine the qualification of the applicant, including whether the applicant has ever been convicted of a <span class="dictionary">felony</span>, and if so, under what circumstances the applicant&#x2019;s right to vote has been restored, and promptly notify the applicant at the address shown on the application or request of the acceptance or denial of his registration or transfer. However, notification shall not be required when the registrar does not have an address for the applicant. <a id="paragraph-249502" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/24.2-114/#6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="7"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> Preserve <span class="dictionary">order</span> at and in the vicinity of the place of registration. For this purpose, the registrar shall be vested with the powers of a conservator of the peace while engaged in the duties imposed by <span class="dictionary">law</span>. He may exclude from the place of registration persons whose presence disturbs the registration process. He may appoint special officers, not exceeding three in number, for a place of registration and may summon persons in the vicinity to assist whenever, in his <span class="dictionary">judgment</span>, it is necessary to preserve <span class="dictionary">order</span>. The <span class="dictionary">general registrar</span> and any deputy registrar shall be authorized to administer <span class="dictionary">oaths</span> for purposes of this title. <a id="paragraph-249503" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/24.2-114/#7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="8"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> Maintain the official <span class="dictionary">registration records</span> for his county or city in the system approved by, and in accordance with the instructions of, the <span class="dictionary">State Board</span>; preserve the written applications of all persons who are registered; and preserve for a period of four years the written applications of all persons who are denied registration or whose registration is cancelled. <a id="paragraph-249504" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/24.2-114/#8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="9"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> If a person is denied registration, notify such person in writing of the denial and the reason for denial within five days of the denial in accordance with &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Appeal of person denied registration" href="/24.2-422/">24.2-422</a>. <a id="paragraph-249505" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/24.2-114/#9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="10"><p><span class="prefix-number">10.</span> Verify the accuracy of the pollbooks provided for each <span class="dictionary">election</span> by the <span class="dictionary">State Board</span>, make the pollbooks available to the <span class="dictionary">precincts</span>, and according to the instructions of the <span class="dictionary">State Board</span> provide a copy of the data from the pollbooks to the <span class="dictionary">State Board</span> after each <span class="dictionary">election</span> for voting credit purposes. <a id="paragraph-249506" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/24.2-114/#10"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="11"><p><span class="prefix-number">11.</span> Retain the pollbooks in his principal office for two years from the date of the <span class="dictionary">election</span>. <a id="paragraph-249507" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/24.2-114/#11"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="12"><p><span class="prefix-number">12.</span> Maintain accurate and current <span class="dictionary">registration records</span> and comply with the requirements of this title for the transfer, inactivation, and cancellation of voter registrations. <a id="paragraph-249508" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/24.2-114/#12"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="13"><p><span class="prefix-number">13.</span> Whenever <span class="dictionary">election districts</span>, <span class="dictionary">precincts</span>, or <span class="dictionary">polling places</span> are altered, provide for entry into the <span class="dictionary">voter registration system</span> of the proper district and <span class="dictionary">precinct</span> designations for each <span class="dictionary">registered voter</span> whose districts or <span class="dictionary">precinct</span> have changed and notify each affected voter of changes affecting his districts or <span class="dictionary">polling place</span> by mail. <a id="paragraph-249509" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/24.2-114/#13"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="14"><p><span class="prefix-number">14.</span> Whenever any part of his county or city becomes part of another <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> by annexation, merger, or other means, transfer to the appropriate <span class="dictionary">general registrar</span> the <span class="dictionary">registration records</span> of the affected <span class="dictionary">registered voters</span>. The <span class="dictionary">general registrar</span> for their new county or city shall notify them by mail of the transfer and their new <span class="dictionary">election districts</span> and <span class="dictionary">polling places</span>. <a id="paragraph-249510" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/24.2-114/#14"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="15"><p><span class="prefix-number">15.</span> When he registers any person who was previously registered in another state, notify the appropriate authority in that state of the person&#x2019;s registration in Virginia by providing electronically, through the <span class="dictionary">Department of Elections</span>, the information contained in that person&#x2019;s registration application. <a id="paragraph-249511" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/24.2-114/#15"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="16"><p><span class="prefix-number">16.</span> Whenever any person is believed to be registered or voting in more than one state or territory of the United States at the same time, inquire about, or provide information from the voter&#x2019;s registration and voting records to any appropriate voter registration or other authority of another state or territory who inquires about, that person&#x2019;s registration and voting history. <a id="paragraph-249512" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/24.2-114/#16"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="17"><p><span class="prefix-number">17.</span> At the request of the county or city chairman of any <span class="dictionary">political party</span> nominating a <span class="dictionary">candidate</span> for the General Assembly, <span class="dictionary">constitutional office</span>, or local office by a method other than a <span class="dictionary">primary</span>, review any <span class="dictionary">petition</span> required by the party in its nomination process to determine whether those signing the <span class="dictionary">petition</span> are <span class="dictionary">registered voters</span> with active status. <a id="paragraph-249513" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/24.2-114/#17"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="18"><p><span class="prefix-number">18.</span> Carry out such other duties as prescribed by the <span class="dictionary">electoral board</span> in his capacity as the director of elections for the locality in which he serves. <a id="paragraph-249514" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/24.2-114/#18"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="19"><p><span class="prefix-number">19.</span> Receive and maintain certification through the certification program conducted by the <span class="dictionary">State Board</span> for <span class="dictionary">general registrars</span> pursuant to subsection C of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Powers and duties in general; report" href="/24.2-103/">24.2-103</a>. Each <span class="dictionary">general registrar</span> shall be required to receive certification through the certification program within 12 months of his initial appointment or any subsequent reappointment, unless a <span class="dictionary">waiver</span> has been granted by the <span class="dictionary">State Board</span> pursuant to subsection C of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Powers and duties in general; report" href="/24.2-103/">24.2-103</a>. <a id="paragraph-249515" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/24.2-114/#19"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7;&#xA7; 24-59, 24-60, 24-60.1, 24-71 through 24-73, 24-90, 24-93, 24-94, 24-101, 24-111, 24-115, 24-118; 1950, p. 381; 1958, c. 576; 1962, cc. 422, 536; 1968, c. 143; 1970, c. 462, &#xA7;&#xA7; 24.1-46, 24.1-54, 24.1-68; 1972, c. 620; 1973, c. 30; 1974, c. 428; 1976, c. 616; 1979, c. 329; 1980, c. 639; 1982, c. 650; 1983, c. 398; 1984, c. 480; 1986, c. 558; 1990, c. 193; 1993, c. 641; 1996, cc. 72, 73; 1998, c. 354; 2000, cc. 512, 556, 857; 2003, c. 1015; 2005, c. 380; 2010, c. 812; 2013, c. 491; 2015, cc. 644, 645; 2016, cc. 13, 633; 2019, c. 341; 2020, cc. 857, 1148; 2022, c. 140.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
