CODE OF VIRGINIA

HOW PAPER BALLOTS COUNTED (§ 24.2-665)

A. When the number of paper ballots to be counted has been verified, the
officers shall proceed to ascertain the number of votes cast by paper ballots
for each person and for and against each question.  The votes on all ballots for
all offices and questions shall be counted.  As soon as all ballots are counted,
they shall be placed in an envelope or container labeled “counted
ballots.” No person other than the officers of the election shall handle
the ballots.

B. Only an official ballot prepared as provided for in this title shall be
counted.  If any unofficial ballot is found among the official ballots, the
unofficial ballot shall be put aside, not counted and appropriately noted on the
statement of results.

HISTORY: Code 1950, §§ 24-246, 24-265; 1950, p. 165; 1970, c. 462, §
24.1-142; 1981, c. 425; 1993, c. 641.