§ 24.2-416.7 Application for voter registration by electronic means
Overview of Statute
This section establishes the requirements for registering to vote electronically.
Statute
A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person who is qualified to register to vote may apply to register to vote by electronic means as authorized by the State Board by completing an electronic registration application.
B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a registered voter may satisfy the requirements of §§ 24.2-423 and 24.2-424 to notify the general registrar of a change of legal name or place of residence within the Commonwealth by electronic means as authorized by the State Board by completing an electronic registration application.
C. An electronic registration application completed pursuant to this article shall require that an applicant:
1. Provide the information as required under § 24.2-418;
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Effective until December 31, 2020
2. Have a Virginia driver’s license or special identification card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles;
Effective on January 1, 2021
2. Have a Virginia driver’s license or other document issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles under Chapter 3 (§ 46.2-300 et seq.) of Title 46.2;
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3. Provide a social security number and Department of Motor Vehicles customer identifier number that matches the applicant’s record in the Department of Motor Vehicles records;
4. Attest to the truth of the information provided;
5. Sign the application in a manner consistent with the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (§ 59.1-479 et seq.); and
6. Affirmatively authorize the Department of Elections and general registrar to use the applicant’s signature obtained by the Department of Motor Vehicles for voter registration purposes.
D. In order for an individual to complete a transaction under this article, the general registrar shall verify that the Department of Motor Vehicles customer identifier number, date of birth, and social security number provided by the applicant match the information contained in the Department of Motor Vehicles records.
E. The Department of Motor Vehicles shall provide to the Department of Elections a digital copy of the applicant’s signature on record with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
F. The Department of Elections shall transmit to the general registrar an applicant’s completed voter registration application and digital signature not later than five business days after the date of receipt.
G. Each transaction taking place under this section shall be accompanied by the following statement featured prominently in boldface capital letters: “WARNING: INTENTIONALLY MAKING A MATERIALLY FALSE STATEMENT DURING THIS TRANSACTION CONSTITUTES THE CRIME OF ELECTION FRAUD, WHICH IS PUNISHABLE UNDER VIRGINIA LAW AS A FELONY. VIOLATORS MAY BE SENTENCED TO UP TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON, OR UP TO 12 MONTHS IN JAIL AND/OR FINED UP TO $2,500.”
H. The Department of Elections may use additional security measures approved by the State Board to ensure the accuracy and integrity of registration transactions performed under this article.
- Cross-References:
- Voter Registration
- Voter Registration Methods
1. Definition for Department
The state agency headed by the Commissioner of Elections.
See § 24.2-101.
2. Definition for State Board
The State Board of Elections.
See § 24.2-101.
3. Definition for Authorized by
Express approval or express consent by the candidate, the candidate’s campaign committee, or an agent of the candidate or his campaign committee after coordination.
See § 24.2-955.1.
4. Definition for Registered voter
Any person who is maintained on the Virginia voter registration system. All registered voters shall be maintained on the Virginia voter registration system with active status unless assigned to inactive status by a general registrar in accordance with Chapter 4 (§ 24.2-400 et seq.). For purposes of applying the precinct size requirements of § 24.2-307, calculating election machine requirements pursuant to Article 3 (§ 24.2-625 et seq.) of Chapter 6, mailing notices of local election district, precinct or polling place changes as required by subdivision 13 of § 24.2-114 and § 24.2-306, and determining the number of signatures required for candidate and voter petitions, “registered voter” shall include only persons maintained on the Virginia voter registration system with active status. For purposes of determining if a signature on a petition shall be included in the count toward meeting the signature requirements of any petition, “registered voter” shall include only persons maintained on the Virginia voter registration system (i) with active status and (ii) on inactive status who are qualified to vote for the office for which the petition was circulated.
See § 24.2-101.
5. Definition for General Registrar
The person appointed by the electoral board of a county or city pursuant to § 24.2-110 to be responsible for all aspects of voter registration, in addition to other duties prescribed by this title. When performing duties related to the administration of elections, the general registrar is acting in his capacity as the director of elections for the locality in which he serves.
See § 24.2-101.
6. Definition for Department of Elections
The state agency headed by the Commissioner of Elections.
See § 24.2-101.
7. Definition for Board
The State Board of Elections.
See § 24.2-101.
8. Definition for State
A state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
See § 24.2-452.
9. Definition for Person
Any individual or corporation, partnership, business, labor organization, membership organization, association, cooperative, or other like entity.
For the purpose of applying the filing and reporting requirements of this chapter, the term “person” shall not include an organization holding tax-exempt status under § 501(c) (3), 501(c) (4), or 501(c) (6) of the United States Internal Revenue Code which, in providing information to voters, does not advocate or endorse the election or defeat of a particular candidate, group of candidates, or the candidates of a particular political party.
See § 24.2-945.1.
10. Definition for Election
A general, primary, or special election.
See § 24.2-101.
11. Definition for Residence
For all purposes of qualification to register and vote, means and requires both domicile and a place of abode. To establish domicile, a person must live in a particular locality with the intention to remain. A place of abode is the physical place where a person dwells.
See § 24.2-101.