                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

DROP-OFF LOCATIONS FOR RETURN OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS (§ 24.2-707.1)

A. The general registrar of each county or city shall establish at the office of
the general registrar and each voter satellite office in operation for an
election a drop-off location for the purpose of allowing the deposit of
completed absentee ballots for such election. On the day of the election, there
shall also be a drop-off location at each polling place in operation for the
election. The general registrar may establish additional drop-off locations
within the county or city as he deems necessary. All drop-off locations shall be
accessible; be on public property, unless located at a polling place; and
otherwise comply with any criteria for drop-off locations set by the Department.

B. The Department shall set standards for the establishment and operation of
drop-off locations, including necessary security requirements. The Department
shall submit such standards annually by October 1 to the Chairmen of the House
and Senate Committees on Privileges and Elections, the Senate Committee on
Finance and Appropriations, and the House Committee on Appropriations.

C. Not later than 55 days prior to any election, the general registrar shall
post notice of the sites of the drop-off locations in the locality in the office
of the general registrar and on the official website of the county or city. Such
notice shall remain in the office of the general registrar and on the official
website of the county or city for the duration of the period during which
absentee ballots may be returned.

D. Absentee ballots shall be collected from drop-off locations in accordance
with the instructions provided by the Department. Such instructions shall
include chain of custody requirements and recordkeeping requirements. Absentee
ballots shall be collected at least daily by (i) two officers of election or
electoral board members representing the two major political parties where
practicable or (ii) two employees from the office of the general registrar,
unless the drop-off location is in the office of the general registrar, in which
case the general registrar or a deputy general registrar may collect the
absentee ballots.

HISTORY: 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 471, 522; 2022, c. 140.