2025 SESSION

INTRODUCED

24105189D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1314

Offered January 10, 2024

Prefiled January 10, 2024

A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-622 of the Code of Virginia, relating to elections; conduct of elections; unofficial sample ballots.

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Patron—Cole; Senator: Durant

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Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 24.2-622 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 24.2-622. Unofficial sample ballots.

Sample ballots not authorized by electoral boards and provided by electoral boards or general registrars to precincts pursuant to § 24.2-641 are permitted to be printed and circulated, which includes publication in newspapers or on the Internet.

Such However, it shall be unlawful for any person to print or circulate any such unofficial sample ballots shall unless the following requirements are met:

1. They shall not be printed on white paper and.

2. They shall include on their face the words "sample ballot."

3. They shall bear the legend or include the statement: "Paid for by [Name of the sponsor as defined by § 24.2-956.1]."

4. They shall state whether they are authorized by a political party by bearing the legend or include the statement "Authorized by [Name of political party]" or "Not authorized by a political party."

5. Any disclosure statement required by this section shall be displayed in a conspicuous manner in a font size no smaller than 24 point.

All sample ballots, excepting those official sample ballots authorized by electoral boards and provided by electoral boards or general registrars to precincts pursuant to § 24.2-641, are advertisements for purposes of Chapter 9.5 (§ 24.2-955 et seq.). Voters may take sample ballots into the voting booth or enclosure, but shall not give, tender, or exhibit such sample ballot to any person, other than an assistant designated under § 24.2-649, while inside the polling place or within the prohibited area designated by § 24.2-604.

The penalty for a violation of this section shall be as provided in subsection C of § 24.2-955.3. Any voter of the election district in which an alleged violation of this section occurred may seek an injunction against further violations.