Virginia Law

Article 5. Cancellation of Registration.

Repealed by Acts 1997, c. 805.

A. Any registered voter may cancel his registration by submitting to the general registrar a written authorization, signed by the voter, that his voter registration shall be canceled. Such cancellation authorization shall be made at least 22 days prior to an election in order to be valid in that election, unless such cancellation authorization is made in person or notarized. Within 10 days of receiving such authorization, the general registrar shall acknowledge receipt of the authorization and advise the voter by first-class mail, or in person if such authorization is made in person, that his registration has been canceled.

B. Notice received by a general registrar from the registration official of another jurisdiction, or signed by the voter, that a registered voter has moved from the Commonwealth or that the registered voter has registered to vote outside the Commonwealth subsequent to his registration in the Commonwealth shall be considered a written authorization from the voter to have his registration canceled. Information received through a list exchange or list comparison pursuant to § 24.2-410.3 shall not be deemed to be notice for purposes of this subsection.

2026, c. 1120.

A. The general registrar shall promptly cancel the registration of all persons known by him to be deceased or disqualified to vote in accordance with the provisions of this section. A voter's registration may be canceled at any time during the year in which the general registrar discovers that the person is no longer entitled to be registered. The general registrar shall provide notice of any cancellation to the person whose registration is canceled, by mail to the address listed in the voter's registration record and by email to the email address provided on the voter's registration application, if one was provided.

B. Upon receipt of a report from the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to § 24.2-410.1 or from the Department of Elections based on information received from the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program (SAVE Program) pursuant to subsection E of § 24.2-404, the general registrar shall mail notice promptly to all persons listed in the report as not being a citizen of the United States prior to cancelling the registrations of such persons. The notice shall inform the person of the report from the Department of Motor Vehicles or from the Department of Elections and allow the person to submit his sworn statement that he is a United States citizen within 14 days of the date that the notice was mailed. The general registrar shall cancel the registrations of such persons who do not respond within 14 days to the notice that they have been reported not to be United States citizens.

C. Upon receipt of notice from the Department of Elections pursuant to § 24.2-409 that a registered voter has been convicted of a felony and sentenced to a period of incarceration, the general registrar shall mail notice promptly to the registered voter prior to canceling such person's registration. The notice shall inform the person of the report from the Central Criminal Records Exchange and allow the person to submit his sworn statement that he has not been convicted of a felony and sentenced to a period of incarceration or that, if having been convicted of a felony, he was not serving a sentence incarceration at the time the application was completed. Such statement shall be submitted to the general registrar within 14 days of the date that the notice was mailed and the registrar shall cancel the registration of any person who does not respond within such time.

D. Upon receipt of a notice submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles in accordance with the Driver License Compact set out in Article 18 (§ 46.2-483 et seq.) of Chapter 3 of Title 46.2 that a registered voter has moved from the Commonwealth, the general registrar may cancel the registration of such person. Prior to canceling a registration pursuant to this subsection, the general registrar shall mail notice of such cancellation to the person at both his new address, as reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles, and the address at which he had most recently been registered in Virginia. No general registrar may cancel registrations under this subsection while the registration records are closed pursuant to § 24.2-416. No registrar may cancel the registration under this authority of any person who (i) is a member of a uniformed service of the United States, as defined in § 24.2-452, on active duty; (ii) resides temporarily outside of the United States; or (iii) is a spouse or dependent residing with a person listed in clause (i) or (ii), and shall reinstate the registration of any such person who is otherwise a qualified voter and who applies to vote within four years of the date of cancellation.

Code 1950, §§ 24-59, 24-60, 24-60.1, 24-71 through 24-73, 24-90, 24-93, 24-94, 24-101, 24-111; 1958, c. 576; 1962, cc. 422, 536; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-46(12); 1972, c. 620; 1973, c. 30; 1974, c. 428; 1976, c. 616; 1979, c. 329; 1980, c. 639; 1982, c. 650; 1983, c. 398; 1984, c. 480; 1986, c. 558; 1990, c. 193; 1993, c. 641; 1996, cc. 72, 73; 1997, cc. 801, 805; 1999, c. 851; 2000, c. 857; 2001, c. 634; 2002, cc. 785, 819; 2006 cc. 926, 940; 2007, c. 318; 2008, c. 382; 2012, c. 686; 2013, c. 686; 2015, c. 740; 2022, cc. 4, 28, 318; 2026, cc. 992, 1081, 1120.

A. The general registrar shall promptly cancel the registration of all persons known by him to be deceased or disqualified to vote in accordance with the provisions of this section. A voter's registration may be canceled at any time during the year in which the general registrar discovers that the person is no longer entitled to be registered. The general registrar shall provide notice of any cancellation to the person whose registration is canceled, by mail to the address listed in the voter's registration record and by email to the email address provided on the voter's registration application, if one was provided.

B. Upon receipt of a report from the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to § 24.2-410.1 or from the Department of Elections based on information received from the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program (SAVE Program) pursuant to subsection E of § 24.2-404, the general registrar shall mail notice promptly to all persons listed in the report as not being a citizen of the United States prior to cancelling the registrations of such persons. The notice shall inform the person of the report from the Department of Motor Vehicles or from the Department of Elections and allow the person to submit his sworn statement that he is a United States citizen within 14 days of the date that the notice was mailed. The general registrar shall cancel the registrations of such persons who do not respond within 14 days to the notice that they have been reported not to be United States citizens.

C. Upon receipt of notice from the Department of Elections pursuant to § 24.2-409 that a registered voter has been convicted of a felony, the general registrar shall mail notice promptly to the registered voter prior to canceling such person's registration. The notice shall inform the person of the report from the Central Criminal Records Exchange and allow the person to submit his sworn statement that he has not been convicted of a felony or that, if having been convicted of a felony, his right to vote has been restored. Such statement shall be submitted to the general registrar within 14 days of the date that the notice was mailed and the registrar shall cancel the registration of any person who does not respond within such time.

D. Upon receipt of a notice submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles in accordance with the Driver License Compact set out in Article 18 (§ 46.2-483 et seq.) of Chapter 3 of Title 46.2 that a registered voter has moved from the Commonwealth, the general registrar may cancel the registration of such person. Prior to canceling a registration pursuant to this subsection, the general registrar shall mail notice of such cancellation to the person at both his new address, as reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles, and the address at which he had most recently been registered in Virginia. No general registrar may cancel registrations under this subsection while the registration records are closed pursuant to § 24.2-416. No registrar may cancel the registration under this authority of any person who (i) is a member of a uniformed service of the United States, as defined in § 24.2-452, on active duty; (ii) resides temporarily outside of the United States; or (iii) is a spouse or dependent residing with a person listed in clause (i) or (ii), and shall reinstate the registration of any such person who is otherwise a qualified voter and who applies to vote within four years of the date of cancellation.

Code 1950, §§ 24-59, 24-60, 24-60.1, 24-71 through 24-73, 24-90, 24-93, 24-94, 24-101, 24-111; 1958, c. 576; 1962, cc. 422, 536; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-46(12); 1972, c. 620; 1973, c. 30; 1974, c. 428; 1976, c. 616; 1979, c. 329; 1980, c. 639; 1982, c. 650; 1983, c. 398; 1984, c. 480; 1986, c. 558; 1990, c. 193; 1993, c. 641; 1996, cc. 72, 73; 1997, cc. 801, 805; 1999, c. 851; 2000, c. 857; 2001, c. 634; 2002, cc. 785, 819; 2006 cc. 926, 940; 2007, c. 318; 2008, c. 382; 2012, c. 686; 2013, c. 686; 2015, c. 740; 2022, cc. 4, 28, 318; 2026, cc. 1120.

A. The general registrar shall promptly cancel the registration of all persons known by him to be deceased or disqualified to vote in accordance with the provisions of this section. A voter's registration may be canceled at any time during the year in which the general registrar discovers that the person is no longer entitled to be registered. The general registrar shall provide notice of any cancellation to the person whose registration is canceled, by mail to the address listed in the voter's registration record and by email to the email address provided on the voter's registration application, if one was provided.

B. Upon receipt of a report from the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to § 24.2-410.1 or from the Department of Elections based on information received from the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program (SAVE Program) pursuant to subsection E of § 24.2-404, the general registrar shall mail notice promptly to all persons listed in the report as not being a citizen of the United States prior to cancelling the registrations of such persons. The notice shall inform the person of the report from the Department of Motor Vehicles or from the Department of Elections and allow the person to submit his sworn statement that he is a United States citizen within 14 days of the date that the notice was mailed. The general registrar shall cancel the registrations of such persons who do not respond within 14 days to the notice that they have been reported not to be United States citizens.

C. Upon receipt of notice from the Department of Elections pursuant to § 24.2-409 that a registered voter has been convicted of a felony, the general registrar shall mail notice promptly to the registered voter prior to canceling such person's registration. The notice shall inform the person of the report from the Central Criminal Records Exchange and allow the person to submit his sworn statement that he has not been convicted of a felony or that, if having been convicted of a felony, his right to vote has been restored. Such statement shall be submitted to the general registrar within 14 days of the date that the notice was mailed and the registrar shall cancel the registration of any person who does not respond within such time.

D. Upon receipt of a notice submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles in accordance with the Driver License Compact set out in Article 18 (§ 46.2-483 et seq.) of Chapter 3 of Title 46.2 that a registered voter has moved from the Commonwealth, the general registrar may cancel the registration of such person. Prior to canceling a registration pursuant to this subsection, the general registrar shall mail notice of such cancellation to the person at both his new address, as reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles, and the address at which he had most recently been registered in Virginia. No general registrar may cancel registrations under this subsection while the registration records are closed pursuant to § 24.2-416. No registrar may cancel the registration under this authority of any person who (i) is a member of a uniformed service of the United States, as defined in § 24.2-452, on active duty; (ii) resides temporarily outside of the United States; or (iii) is a spouse or dependent residing with a person listed in clause (i) or (ii), and shall reinstate the registration of any such person who is otherwise a qualified voter and who applies to vote within four years of the date of cancellation.

Code 1950, §§ 24-59, 24-60, 24-60.1, 24-71 through 24-73, 24-90, 24-93, 24-94, 24-101, 24-111; 1958, c. 576; 1962, cc. 422, 536; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-46(12); 1972, c. 620; 1973, c. 30; 1974, c. 428; 1976, c. 616; 1979, c. 329; 1980, c. 639; 1982, c. 650; 1983, c. 398; 1984, c. 480; 1986, c. 558; 1990, c. 193; 1993, c. 641; 1996, cc. 72, 73; 1997, cc. 801, 805; 1999, c. 851; 2000, c. 857; 2001, c. 634; 2002, cc. 785, 819; 2006 cc. 926, 940; 2007, c. 318; 2008, c. 382; 2012, c. 686; 2013, c. 686; 2015, c. 740; 2022, cc. 4, 28, 318; 2026, cc. 1120.

A. The Department of Elections shall establish a voter list maintenance program using the change of address information supplied by the United States Postal Service through its licensees or by other reliable sources to identify voters whose addresses may have changed. Any such program shall be regular and periodic and shall be conducted at least annually. The program shall be completed not later than ninety days prior to the date of a federal primary or federal general election.

B. If it appears from information provided by the Postal Service or by other reliable sources that a voter has moved to a different address in the same county or city in which the voter is currently registered, the Department shall provide to the general registrar the information necessary to change the registration records to show the new address, and the Department or the general registrar shall send to the new address of the voter by forwardable mail, a notice of the change, along with a postage prepaid, pre-addressed return card by which the voter may verify or correct the address information.

C. If it appears from information provided by the Postal Service or by other reliable sources that a voter has moved to a different address not in the same county or city, the Department or the general registrar shall send to the last known address of the voter by forwardable mail, a notice on a form prescribed by the Department, along with a postage prepaid and pre-addressed return card on which the voter may state his current address.

D. The registered voter shall complete and sign the return card subject to felony penalties for making false statements pursuant to § 24.2-1016.

E. The general registrar shall correct his registration records from the information obtained from the return card. If the information indicates that the registered voter has moved to another general registrar's jurisdiction within the Commonwealth, the general registrar shall transfer the registration record, along with the return card, to the appropriate general registrar who shall treat the request for a change of address as a request for transfer and shall send a voter registration card as confirmation of the transfer to the voter pursuant to § 24.2-424. If the general registrar does not receive the return card provided for in subsection C of this section within thirty days after it is sent to the voter, the registered voter's name shall be placed on inactive status. A registered voter's failure to receive the notice shall not affect the validity of the inactivation.

Code 1950, §§ 24-96, 24-97, 24-107; 1954, c. 690; 1962, c. 536; 1964, c. 538; 1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-59, 24.1-60; 1972, c. 620; 1973, c. 30; 1975, c. 515; 1976, c. 616; 1982, c. 650; 1986, c. 241; 1990, c. 313; 1991, c. 10; 1993, c. 641; 1996, cc. 72, 73; 2000, c. 857; 2015, c. 740; 2026, c. 1120, cl. 2.

In addition to the voter list maintenance program provided for in § 24.2-428, the general registrar and the registered voter shall follow the confirmation notification procedures set forth in subsections C through E of § 24.2-428 if a voter provides an address on a candidate or referendum petition that differs from the address for the voter on the voter registration system or if any of the following documents sent to the registered voter are returned by the Postal Service as undeliverable:

1. An acknowledgment of registration;

2. An acknowledgment of transfer to a new address;

3. An absentee ballot or application for an absentee ballot sent or provided in accordance with Chapter 7 (§ 24.2-700 et seq.);

4. Notification to a voter after a precinct reassignment;

5. Notification of a change of address sent to a voter in accordance with subsection B of § 24.2-428; or

6. Any official voter registration or election mail.

1996, cc. 72, 73; 2001, c. 625; 2026, c. 1120, cl. 2.

A registered voter shall be returned to active status from inactive status if, during the period beginning on the date the voter was assigned to inactive status and ending on the day of the second general election for federal office thereafter, the voter:

1. Notifies the general registrar of a change of address within the county or city;

2. Responds to a confirmation notice with information that the voter continues to reside at the registration address;

3. Votes or attempts to vote in a primary or a special or general election and, if necessary, corrects the registration record; or

4. Transfers his registration to another county or city within the Commonwealth, pursuant to § 24.2-424 or subsection E of § 24.2-428.

If the registered voter fails to take such action on or before the day of the second general election for federal office after the voter was placed on inactive status, the general registrar shall cancel the person's voter registration.

The general registrar shall post at the courthouse or have published in a newspaper of general circulation in his county or city a list of names of persons whose registration has been cancelled pursuant to this section. He shall deliver or mail, obtaining a certificate of mailing, a certified copy of the list to the chairman of each political party in his county or city.

1996, cc. 72, 73; 2026, c. 1120, cl. 2.

A. Any three qualified voters may file with the circuit court of the county or city in which they are registered a petition stating their objections to the registration of any person whose name is on the registration records for their county or city. However, no petition may be filed if the only objection raised is based on removal of residence from the precinct.

B. Fifteen days' notice shall be given by the petitioners to any person whose registration is objected to unless otherwise ordered by the court, and the court shall summarily proceed to determine the right of the person to registration. Any petition filed under this section shall be given precedence on the docket of the court. An order of the court concerning registration of the voter shall not be limited by the provisions of § 24.2-416 requiring the registration records to be closed.

C. Any notice of appeal shall be filed within seven days of the circuit court's final order and all appeals under this section shall be given precedence on the docket.

Code 1950, § 24-102; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-63; 1993, c. 641; 1996, cc. 72, 73; 2026 , c. 1064.

Unless the petition provided for in § 24.2-431 is filed within six months after the registration of any person, it shall be conclusively presumed in all proceedings where the right of such person to registration arises, by election officers and by judicial tribunals, or in election contests of any kind and character, that such person has complied with all the procedural requirements of the law in making an application for registration.

Code 1950, § 24-105; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-66; 1993, c. 641.

The registration records of voters whose registration has been cancelled pursuant to this article shall be retained for four years from the date of cancellation by the general registrar. The cancellation records required by subdivision A 5 of § 24.2-404 shall also be retained for four years from the date of cancellation by the general registrar.

Code 1950, §§ 24-59, 24-60, 24-60.1, 24-71 through 24-73, 24-90, 24-93, 24-94, 24-96, 24-101, 24-111; 1958, c. 576; 1962, cc. 422, 536; 1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-46(12), 24.1-59; 1972, c. 620; 1973, c. 30; 1974, c. 428; 1975, c. 515; 1976, c. 616; 1979, c. 329; 1980, c. 639; 1982, c. 650; 1983, c. 398; 1984, c. 480; 1986, cc. 241, 558; 1990, cc. 193, 313; 1993, c. 641; 2003, c. 238; 2026, c. 1120.

The registration records of voters whose registration has been cancelled pursuant to this article shall be retained for two years from the date of cancellation by the general registrar. However, the registration records of voters whose registration has been cancelled because the voter has moved to another state or the voter has submitted changes to his registration records shall be retained for four years.

Code 1950, §§ 24-59, 24-60, 24-60.1, 24-71 through 24-73, 24-90, 24-93, 24-94, 24-96, 24-101, 24-111; 1958, c. 576; 1962, cc. 422, 536; 1970, c. 462, §§ 24.1-46(12), 24.1-59; 1972, c. 620; 1973, c. 30; 1974, c. 428; 1975, c. 515; 1976, c. 616; 1979, c. 329; 1980, c. 639; 1982, c. 650; 1983, c. 398; 1984, c. 480; 1986, cc. 241, 558; 1990, cc. 193, 313; 1993, c. 641; 2003, c. 238.