                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

VOTING EQUIPMENT SECURITY (§ 24.2-625.1)

A. Records of the State Board of Elections or of a local electoral board, to the
extent such records describe protocols for maintaining the security of ballots
or voting and counting equipment, or reveal the results of risk assessments of
specific local electoral procedures, the release of which would compromise the
security of any election, shall be confidential and excluded from inspection and
copying under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (&#xA7; 2.2-3700 et seq.).

B. The State Board of Elections or a local electoral board may hold a closed
meeting pursuant to the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act
for the purpose of discussing protocols for maintaining the security of ballots
or voting and counting equipment, or risk assessments of specific local
electoral procedures, where discussion of such matters in open meeting would
compromise the security of any election. Nothing in this subsection shall be
construed to authorize a closed meeting to discuss any breach of security in the
conduct of an election.

C. Two members of any local electoral board may conduct site visits for the sole
purpose of investigating compliance with security policies and procedures. No
such visit shall be deemed a meeting under the provisions of the Virginia
Freedom of Information Act. However, prior to conducting such site visits, the
board shall hold an open meeting, as defined in the Virginia Freedom of
Information Act, and shall identify at that meeting its intention to conduct
such site visits, the dates on which such visits will occur, and all polling
places or other locations at which such visits will occur, withholding only
information identifying secure sites at which voting and counting equipment or
ballots are stored. No later than 30 days after any site visit has been
conducted pursuant to this paragraph, the board shall hold an open meeting, as
defined in the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, at which it shall identify
each location visited and the date on which each such location was visited,
withholding only information identifying secure sites at which voting and
counting equipment or ballots are stored.

D. The electoral board of each county and city that utilizes electronic voting
systems shall develop and annually update written plans and procedures to ensure
the security and integrity of its electronic voting systems. The general
registrar and the State Board shall provide the electoral board assistance, upon
request.

E. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the release of
information concerning any breach of security in the conduct of an election.

HISTORY: 2005, c. 568; 2007, c. 794.