{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/24.2-646.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/24.2-646.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/24.2-646.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/24.2-646.1.html"}],"law_id":355971,"edition_id":2,"section_id":355971,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-646.1","catch_line":"Permitted use of paper ballots","history":"2006, c. 492; 2015, c. 313; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 163.","full_text":"The official paper ballot shall be used by a voter to cast his vote only in one of the following circumstances:\n\n1\n\nThe official paper ballot is the only ballot in use in the precinct.\n\n2\n\nThe official paper ballot is used by voters voting outside of the polling place pursuant to § 24.2-649.1.\n\n3\n\nThe voter is casting a provisional ballot.\n\n4\n\nThe voter is provided an official paper ballot or copy thereof pursuant to § 24.2-642 when voting equipment is inoperable or otherwise unavailable.\n\n5\n\nThe official absentee paper ballot voted in accordance with (§ 24.2-700 et seq.).\n\n6\n\nThe voter is provided an official paper ballot for a presidential election pursuant to § 24.2-402 or for federal elections pursuant to § 24.2-453.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1325449,"text":"The official paper ballot shall be used by a voter to cast his vote only in one of the following circumstances:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":1325450,"text":"The official paper ballot is the only ballot in use in the precinct.","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":1325451,"text":"The official paper ballot is used by voters voting outside of the polling place pursuant to § 24.2-649.1.","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":1325452,"text":"The voter is casting a provisional ballot.","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":1325453,"text":"The voter is provided an official paper ballot or copy thereof pursuant to § 24.2-642 when voting equipment is inoperable or otherwise unavailable.","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":1325454,"text":"The official absentee paper ballot voted in accordance with (§ 24.2-700 et seq.).","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":1325455,"text":"The voter is provided an official paper ballot for a presidential election pursuant to § 24.2-402 or for federal elections pursuant to § 24.2-453.","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5"}},"ancestry":[{"id":50931,"edition_id":2,"name":"Conduct of Election; Election Results","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":6,"parent_id":50927,"metadata":{"child_laws":49,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:35:05","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:31:33","permalink":{"id":1415625,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50931,"identifier":"4","token":"24.2\/6\/4","url":"\/24.2\/6\/4\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50927,"edition_id":2,"name":"The Election","identifier":"6","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":7,"parent_id":50878,"metadata":{"child_laws":112,"child_structures":5},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:34:57","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:31:33","permalink":{"id":1415397,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50927,"identifier":"6","token":"24.2\/6","url":"\/24.2\/6\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50878,"edition_id":2,"name":"Elections","identifier":"24.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":64,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":546,"child_structures":79},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:34:27","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:31:25","permalink":{"id":1414151,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50878,"identifier":"24.2","token":"24.2","url":"\/24.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":355968,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-643","catch_line":"Qualified voter permitted to vote; procedures at polling place; voter identification","url":"\/24.2-643\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-643","metadata":false},{"id":355969,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-644","catch_line":"Voting by paper ballot; voting for presidential electors; write-in votes","url":"\/24.2-644\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-644","metadata":false},{"id":355970,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-645","catch_line":"Defaced printed ballots","url":"\/24.2-645\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-645","metadata":false},{"id":355972,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-646","catch_line":"Voter folds paper ballot and hands same to officer who deposits it unopened in ballot container","url":"\/24.2-646\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-646","metadata":false},{"id":355971,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-646.1","catch_line":"Permitted use of paper ballots","url":"\/24.2-646.1\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-646.1","metadata":false},{"id":355973,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-647","catch_line":"Voting systems; demonstration on election day","url":"\/24.2-647\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-647","metadata":false},{"id":355974,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-648","catch_line":"Write-in votes on voting equipment","url":"\/24.2-648\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-648","metadata":false},{"id":355976,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-649","catch_line":"Assistance for certain voters inside the polling place; penalties","url":"\/24.2-649\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-649","metadata":false},{"id":355975,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-649.1","catch_line":"Assistance for certain voters outside of the polling place","url":"\/24.2-649.1\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-649.1","metadata":false},{"id":355977,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-650","catch_line":"Officers to sign only official papers, etc","url":"\/24.2-650\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-650","metadata":false},{"id":355979,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-651","catch_line":"Voter who is challenged; how challenge tried","url":"\/24.2-651\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-651","metadata":false},{"id":355978,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-651.1","catch_line":"Voter who is shown as having already voted; provisional ballots","url":"\/24.2-651.1\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-651.1","metadata":false},{"id":355980,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-652","catch_line":"Voter whose name erroneously omitted from pollbook; provisional ballots","url":"\/24.2-652\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-652","metadata":false},{"id":355985,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-653","catch_line":"Provisional voting; procedures in polling place","url":"\/24.2-653\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-653","metadata":false},{"id":355981,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-653.01","catch_line":"Provisional ballots; electoral boards to make determination as to validity","url":"\/24.2-653.01\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-653.01","metadata":false},{"id":355982,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-653.1","catch_line":"Voters who did not receive absentee ballots; provisional ballots","url":"\/24.2-653.1\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-653.1","metadata":false},{"id":355983,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-653.2","catch_line":"Ballots cast after normal close of polling hours due to court-ordered extension; provisional ballots","url":"\/24.2-653.2\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-653.2","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":355984,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-653.3","catch_line":"Voters assigned to split precinct; provisional ballots","url":"\/24.2-653.3\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-653.3","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":355986,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-654","catch_line":"Officers to lock and seal voting equipment and ascertain vote after polls closed; statement of results","url":"\/24.2-654\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-654","metadata":false},{"id":355987,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-655","catch_line":"Representatives of political parties and candidates to be present on request","url":"\/24.2-655\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-655","metadata":false},{"id":355988,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-656","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/24.2-656\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-656","metadata":false},{"id":355989,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-657","catch_line":"Determination of vote on voting systems","url":"\/24.2-657\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-657","metadata":false},{"id":355990,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-658","catch_line":"Machines with printed return sheets; disposition of sheets","url":"\/24.2-658\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-658","metadata":false},{"id":355991,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-659","catch_line":"Locking voting systems after election and delivering keys to clerk; printed returns as evidence","url":"\/24.2-659\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-659","metadata":false},{"id":355992,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-660","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/24.2-660\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-660","metadata":false},{"id":355993,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-661","catch_line":"Detection and setting aside of double ballots","url":"\/24.2-661\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-661","metadata":false},{"id":355994,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-662","catch_line":"Procedure when paper ballots exceed names on pollbooks","url":"\/24.2-662\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-662","metadata":false},{"id":355995,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-663","catch_line":"When ballot void","url":"\/24.2-663\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-663","metadata":false},{"id":355996,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-664","catch_line":"Reduction in number of ballots","url":"\/24.2-664\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-664","metadata":false},{"id":355997,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-665","catch_line":"How paper ballots counted","url":"\/24.2-665\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-665","metadata":false},{"id":355998,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-666","catch_line":"Procedures to account for paper ballots","url":"\/24.2-666\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-666","metadata":false},{"id":356000,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-667","catch_line":"Completion of statement of results","url":"\/24.2-667\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-667","metadata":false},{"id":355999,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-667.1","catch_line":"Reporting of results; absentee and provisional votes","url":"\/24.2-667.1\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-667.1","metadata":false},{"id":356001,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-668","catch_line":"Pollbooks, statements of results, and ballots to be sealed and delivered to clerk or general registrar","url":"\/24.2-668\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-668","metadata":false},{"id":356002,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-669","catch_line":"Clerk to keep ballots; inspection; destruction","url":"\/24.2-669\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-669","metadata":false},{"id":356003,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-670","catch_line":"Clerk to send for books and ballots if not delivered by officers","url":"\/24.2-670\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-670","metadata":false},{"id":356006,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-671","catch_line":"Electoral board to meet and ascertain results; conclusiveness of results","url":"\/24.2-671\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-671","metadata":false},{"id":356004,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-671.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/24.2-671.1\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-671.1","metadata":false},{"id":356005,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-671.2","catch_line":"Risk-limiting audits","url":"\/24.2-671.2\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-671.2","metadata":false},{"id":356007,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-672","catch_line":"Electoral board to correct irregularities in returns of officers of election","url":"\/24.2-672\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-672","metadata":false},{"id":356009,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-673","catch_line":"Candidates having highest number of votes to receive certificate of election","url":"\/24.2-673\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-673","metadata":false},{"id":356008,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-673.1","catch_line":"(Expires July 1, 2031) Ranked choice voting","url":"\/24.2-673.1\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-673.1","metadata":false},{"id":356010,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-674","catch_line":"Determination by lot in case of tie","url":"\/24.2-674\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-674","metadata":false},{"id":356011,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-675","catch_line":"Abstracts of votes to be made by secretary and forwarded to State Board and to clerks","url":"\/24.2-675\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-675","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":356012,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-676","catch_line":"Secretary to make out and deliver certificate of election","url":"\/24.2-676\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-676","metadata":false},{"id":356013,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-677","catch_line":"State Board to open and record returns; application of Freedom of Information Act","url":"\/24.2-677\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-677","metadata":false},{"id":356014,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-678","catch_line":"Law-enforcement officer to be sent for abstracts not forwarded","url":"\/24.2-678\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-678","metadata":false},{"id":356015,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-679","catch_line":"State Board to meet and make statement as to number of votes","url":"\/24.2-679\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-679","metadata":false},{"id":356016,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-680","catch_line":"Certificates of election","url":"\/24.2-680\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-680","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":355972,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-646","catch_line":"Voter folds paper ballot and hands same to officer who deposits it unopened in ballot container","url":"\/24.2-646\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-646","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":355973,"structure_id":50931,"section_number":"24.2-647","catch_line":"Voting systems; demonstration on election day","url":"\/24.2-647\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-647","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/24.2-646.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2006. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 492<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2015, chapter 313<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":355778,"section_number":"24.2-402","catch_line":"Persons moving from Commonwealth fewer than thirty days before presidential election","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-402\/"},{"id":355847,"section_number":"24.2-453","catch_line":"Restriction of ballot eligibility","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-453\/"},{"id":355967,"section_number":"24.2-642","catch_line":"Inoperative equipment","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-642\/"},{"id":355975,"section_number":"24.2-649.1","catch_line":"Assistance for certain voters outside of the polling place","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-649.1\/"},{"id":356026,"section_number":"24.2-700","catch_line":"Persons entitled to vote by absentee ballot","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-700\/"}],"permalink":{"id":1415643,"object_type":"law","relational_id":355971,"identifier":"24.2-646.1","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-646.1","url":"\/24.2-646.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/24.2-646.1\/","token":"24.2\/6\/4\/24.2-646.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Permitted use of paper ballots","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 24.2-646.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The official paper ballot<\/span> shall be used by a voter to cast his vote only in one of the following circumstances:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The official paper ballot<\/span> is the only ballot in use in the precinct<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The official paper ballot<\/span> is used by voters voting outside of the polling place<\/span> pursuant to § 24.2-649.1<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The voter is casting a provisional ballot. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> The voter is provided an official paper ballot<\/span> or copy thereof pursuant to § 24.2-642<\/a> when voting equipment is inoperable or otherwise unavailable. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> The official absentee paper ballot<\/span> voted in accordance with (§ 24.2-700<\/a> et seq.). <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> The voter is provided an official paper ballot<\/span> for a presidential election<\/span> pursuant to § 24.2-402<\/a> or for federal elections<\/span> pursuant to § 24.2-453<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPERMITTED USE OF PAPER BALLOTS (\u00a7 24.2-646.1)\n\nThe official paper ballot shall be used by a voter to cast his vote only in one\nof the following circumstances:\n\n1. The official paper ballot is the only ballot in use in the precinct.\n\n2. The official paper ballot is used by voters voting outside of the polling\nplace pursuant to § 24.2-649.1.\n\n3. The voter is casting a provisional ballot.\n\n4. The voter is provided an official paper ballot or copy thereof pursuant to\n§ 24.2-642 when voting equipment is inoperable or otherwise unavailable.\n\n5. The official absentee paper ballot voted in accordance with (§ 24.2-700\net seq.).\n\n6. The voter is provided an official paper ballot for a presidential election\npursuant to § 24.2-402 or for federal elections pursuant to §\n24.2-453.\n\nHISTORY: 2006, c. 492; 2015, c. 313; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 163.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}