CODE OF VIRGINIA

PROHIBITION OF NONSUBSTANTIVE REQUIREMENTS (§ 24.2-467)

A. If a voter’s mistake or omission in the completion of a document under
this chapter does not prevent determining whether a covered voter is eligible to
vote, the mistake or omission does not invalidate the document. Failure to
satisfy a nonsubstantive requirement, such as using paper or envelopes of a
specified size or weight, does not invalidate a document submitted under this
chapter. In a federal write-in absentee ballot authorized by this chapter, if
the intention of the voter is discernible under this state’s uniform
definition of what constitutes a vote, an abbreviation, misspelling, or other
minor variation in the form of the name of a candidate or a political party must
be accepted as a valid vote.

B. Notarization is not required for the execution of a document under this
chapter. An authentication, other than the declaration specified in § 24.2-463
or the declaration on the federal postcard application and federal write-in
absentee ballot, is not required for execution of a document under this chapter.
The declaration and any information in the declaration may be compared with
information on file to ascertain the validity of the document.

HISTORY: 2012, c. 353.