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§ 24.2-700 Persons entitled to vote by absentee ballot

Any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot in accordance with the provisions of this chapter in any election in which he is qualified to vote.

History

The record of this law’s original creation isn’t available online. The oldest record of it is its appearance in the Code of Virginia of 1950, as § 24-319. It has been modified 24 times. Those modifications are cataloged by “The Acts of Assembly,” a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly’s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1952, chapter 488; in 1970, chapter 462; in 1971, chapter 119 of the Extra Session; in 1972, chapter 620; in 1974, chapter 428; in 1975, chapter 515; in 1976, chapter 616; in 1981, chapter 425; in 1983, chapter 461; in 1988, chapter 6; in 1989, chapter 320; in 1993, chapters 414 and 641; in 1995, chapter 157; in 1998, chapter 254; in 2000, chapter 378; in 2001, chapter 631; in 2002, chapters 785 and 819; in 2008, chapters 425 and 880; in 2009, chapters 405 and 873; in 2010, chapter 244; in 2012, chapter 353; in 2017, chapter 631; in 2019, chapters 668 and 669; in 2020, chapters 561, 1149, 1151, and 1201.

Code 1950, § 24-319; 1952, c. 488; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-227; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 119; 1972, c. 620; 1974, c. 428; 1975, c. 515; 1976, c. 616; 1981, c. 425; 1983, c. 461; 1988, c. 6; 1989, c. 320; 1993, cc. 414, 641; 1995, c. 157; 1998, c. 254; 2000, c. 378; 2001, c. 631; 2002, cc. 785, 819; 2008, cc. 425, 880; 2009, cc. 405, 873; 2010, c. 244; 2012, c. 353; 2017, c. 631; 2019, cc. 668, 669; 2020, cc. 561, 1149, 1151, 1201.

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What This Is

This is a law from the Code of Virginia. This is the actual, unchanged text of one of the many laws that govern Virginia.

Trust, But Verify

The text of this law was last verified on Aug 02, 2026. But if you’re reading this for anything important, you should double-check its accuracy—read § 24.2-700 on the official Code of Virginia website.

Keyboard Guide

Amendment Attempts

HB11: Absentee voting and ballot applications; no qualification for voters to use. (failed)
HB80: Absentee voting and ballot applications; persons 65 or older may vote absentee. (failed)
HB334: Absentee voting and ballot applications; no qualification for voters to use. (failed)
HB562: Absentee voting; eliminates present list of reasons entitling voter to cast absentee ballot. (failed)
HB587: Absentee voting & ballot applications; persons 65 or older & any disabled person may vote absentee. (failed)
HB763: Absentee voting and ballot applications; persons 65 or older may vote absentee. (failed)
HB1598: Elections; adds one hour that polls are open for voting. (failed)
SB65: Absentee voting and ballot applications; persons 65 or older may vote absentee. (failed)
HB2069: Absentee voting and ballot applications; certain requirements to volunteers. (failed)
HB2072: Absentee voting; requirements for pregnant women to vote absentee. (failed)
HB2574: Absentee voting; qualified voters may vote absentee for any reason. (failed)
HB2911: Absentee voting and absentee ballot applications; persons 65 or older may vote absentee. (failed)
HB3001: Absentee voting; qualified voters may vote absentee for any reason. (failed)
SB920: Absentee voting; qualified voters may vote without a reason. (failed)
SB986: Absentee voting; persons with a disability or illness may vote absentee. (failed)
SB1274: Absentee voting; persons with a disability or illness may vote absentee. (failed)
HB309: Absentee voting; qualified voters may vote absentee without providing a reason. (failed)
HB310: Absentee voting; persons with a disability or illness may vote absentee. (failed)
HB640: Voting; extending hours polls are open in Northern Virginia. (failed)
HB907: Absentee voting; qualified voters may vote absentee for any reason. (failed)
HB1062: Absentee ballot and voting; adds women who are pregnant at time of applying to list of eligible. (passed)
HB1069: Absentee voting and ballot applications; persons performing volunteer service may vote absentee . (failed)
HB1262: Absentee ballot applications; address given shall be where person is located while confined. (passed)
HB1276: Absentee voting; adds persons age 65 and older to list of persons eligible. (failed)
SB7: Absentee voting; persons with a disability or illness may vote absentee.
SB8: Absentee voting; qualified voters may vote absentee without providing a reason.
SB69: Absentee voting; qualified voters may vote absentee without providing reason. (failed)
SB646: Absentee voting; qualified voters may vote absentee in person without providing reason.
HB310: Absentee voting; persons with a disability or illness may vote absentee. (failed)
HB1621: Absentee voting; qualified voters may vote absentee for any reason, special provisions for military. (failed)
HB1877: Absentee voting; firefighters and other first responders are entitled thereto. (passed)
HB1894: Absentee voting; qualified voters may vote absentee in person without providing an excuse, etc. (failed)
HB1896: Absentee voting; adds persons disabled & entitled to request assistance in voting who are age 65. (failed)
HB1988: Elections; removes curbside voting for persons age 65 and older, are entitled to vote absentee. (failed)
HB2015: Elections; hours that polls are open for voting, makes conforming changes to absentee voting laws. (failed)
HB2113: Absentee voting; persons age 65 and older may vote absentee. (failed)
HB2301: Absentee voting; qualified voters may vote absentee for any reason, special provisions for military. (failed)
SB810: Absentee voting; qualified voters may vote absentee in person without providing an excuse, etc. (failed)
SB1010: Absentee voting; persons age 65 and older may vote absentee. (failed)
SB1070: Absentee voting; firefighters and other first responders are entitled thereto. (passed)
SB1091: Elections; removes curbside voting for persons age 65 and older, are entitled to vote absentee. (failed)
HB157: Absentee voting; qualified voters may vote absentee for any reason. (failed)
HB161: Absentee voting; qualified voters to provide a reason for not being able to vote on election day. (failed)
SB51: Absentee ballot; person designated by political party to represent inside polling place may cast. (passed)
SB83: Absentee voting; qualified voters to provide a reason for not being able to vote on election day. (failed)
SB139: Absentee voting; persons age 65 and older may vote absentee. (failed)
HB1401: Absentee voting; qualified voters may vote absentee for any reason, special provisions. (failed)
HB1402: Elections; qualified voters may vote absentee in person without providing an excuse or reason. (failed)
HB2459: Absentee voting; persons age 65 and older will be entitled. (failed)
SB937: Absentee voting; persons age 65 and older will be entitled. (failed)
SB949: Elections; qualified voters may vote absentee in person without providing an excuse or reason. (failed)
HB309: Absentee voting; persons age 65 and older on day of election may vote absentee. (failed)
HB669: Absentee voting; persons age 65 and older on day of election may vote absentee. (failed)
HB786: Elections; absentee voting. (failed)
HB930: Uniform Military and Overseas Voters Act; administration of election laws for military voters. (failed)
HB1057: Absentee voting; procedures for military and overseas voters. (failed)
SB12: Elections; absentee voting. (failed)
SB187: Absentee voting; persons age 65 and older on day of election may vote absentee. (failed)
SB565: Uniform Military and Overseas Voters Act; administration of election laws for military voters. (passed)
HB930: Uniform Military and Overseas Voters Act; administration of election laws for military voters. (failed)
HB1057: Absentee voting; procedures for military and overseas voters. (failed)
HB1353: Absentee voting; persons eligible to vote by absentee ballot. (failed)
HB1361: Absentee voting; persons eligible to vote by absentee ballot. (failed)
HB1394: Absentee voting; persons age 65 and older on day of an election are entitled to vote absentee. (failed)
HB1471: Assisted living facilities; residents permitted to vote absentee. (failed)
HB1520: Absentee voting; persons eligible to vote by absentee ballot. (failed)
HB1710: Absentee voting; parent or legal custodian of child four years of age or younger. (failed)
HB1922: Early voting; any registered voter qualified to vote in election may vote in person. (failed)
HB1937: Early voting; any registered voter qualified to vote in election may vote in person. (failed)
HB1938: Absentee voting; persons age 65 and older on day of an election are entitled to vote absentee.
HB2013: Early voting; any registered voter qualified to vote in election may vote in person. (failed)
SB702: Absentee voting; persons eligible to vote by absentee ballot. (failed)
SB724: Absentee voting; persons age 65 and older on day of an election are entitled to vote absentee. (failed)
SB873: Absentee voting; persons age 65 and older on day of an election are entitled to vote absentee.
HB37: Absentee voting; persons 65 years of age or older added to list to vote by absentee ballot, etc. (failed)
HB75: Absentee voting; allows qualified voters to vote absentee in person without an excuse. (failed)
HB119: Absentee voting; allows qualified voters to vote absentee in person without an excuse. (failed)
HB601: Absentee voting; allows qualified voters to vote absentee in person without an excuse. (failed)
HB622: Absentee voting; allows qualified voters to vote absentee in person without an excuse. (failed)
HB783: Elections; absentee voting by persons living fifteen miles from place of work. (failed)
HB800: Absentee voting; allows qualified voters to vote absentee in person without an excuse. (failed)
HB802: Absentee voting; persons age 65 or older on day of an election are entitled to vote absentee ballot. (failed)
SB3: Absentee voting; allows qualified voters to vote absentee in person without an excuse. (failed)
SB16: Absentee voting; persons age 65 or older on day of an election are entitled to vote absentee ballot. (failed)
SB129: Absentee voting; persons age 65 or older on day of an election are entitled to vote absentee ballot.
SB140: Absentee voting; persons 65 years of age or older added to list to vote by absentee ballot, etc.
SB182: Absentee voting; persons age 65 or older on day of an election are entitled to vote absentee ballot.
HB1394: Elections; absentee voting; no-excuse, in-person. (failed)
HB1497: Absentee voting; registered voter using absentee ballot. (failed)
HB1858: Absentee voting; persons primarily and personally responsible for the care of a child. (failed)
HB1922: Elections; absentee voting by persons age 65 or older. (failed)
HB1992: Elections; absentee voting; no-excuse, in-person. (failed)
HB2252: Elections; absentee voting by persons age 65 or older. (failed)
SB677: Absentee voting; persons eligible to vote absentee in person. (failed)
SB708: Elections; absentee voting by persons age 65 or older.
SB719: Elections; absentee voting by persons age 65 or older. (failed)
SB758: Elections; absentee voting by persons age 65 or older.
SB822: Elections; absentee voting by persons age 65 or older.
SB910: Elections; absentee voting by persons age 65 or older.
SB954: Elections; absentee voting; no-excuse, in-person.
HB56: Elections; absentee voting by persons age 70 or older. (failed)
HB68: Elections; early voting. (failed)
HB100: Elections; absentee voting by persons age 65 or older. (failed)
HB237: Absentee voting by electronic means; overseas military voters. (failed)
HB418: Elections; absentee voting; no-excuse, in-person. (failed)
HB430: Elections; absentee voting; no-excuse, in-person. (failed)
HB531: Absentee voting; no-excuse in-person available 21 days prior to election. (failed)
HB1040: Voter-nominated primary elections; established for offices of Governor, etc. (failed)
HB1216: Elections; absentee voting by persons age 65 or older. (failed)
SB68: Elections; absentee voting by persons age 65 or older.
SB106: Absentee voting; no-excuse, in-person. (failed)
SB143: Elections; absentee voting by persons age 65 or older.
SB188: Elections; absentee voting by persons age 65 or older. (failed)
SB320: Elections; absentee voting by persons age 65 or older.
SB603: Absentee voting; no-excuse in-person available 21 days prior to election. (failed)
HB1603: Absentee voting; eligibility of certain caregivers. (failed)
HB1631: Elections; early voting. (failed)
HB1818: Absentee voting; entitles persons age 65 or older on date of an election to vote absentee. (failed)
HB1819: Absentee voting; no-excuse, in-person. (failed)
HB1912: Absentee voting; eligibility of persons granted protective order. (passed)
HB1935: Absentee voting; no-excuse, in-person available 21 days prior to election. (failed)
HB2068: Absentee voting; eligibility of persons with disabilities and persons age 65 or older. (failed)
HB2091: Elections; early voting. (failed)
HB2180: Absentee voting; eligibility of certain persons. (failed)
HB2275: Absentee voting; eligibility of persons age 65 or older. (failed)
SB792: Absentee voting; entitles persons age 65 or older on date of an election to vote absentee. (failed)
SB827: Elections; absentee voting by persons age 70 or older.
SB844: Absentee voting; no-excuse in-person available 21 days prior to election. (failed)
SB845: Absentee voting; eligibility of certain caregivers. (failed)
SB882: Absentee voting; eligibility of any registered voter. (failed)
SB979: Elections; absentee voting; no-excuse, in-person.
SB1002: Absentee voting; no-excuse, in-person available 21 days prior to election.
SB1016: Absentee voting; entitles persons age 65 or older on date of an election to vote absentee.
SB1131: Absentee voting; eligibility of certain persons. (failed)
SB1132: Absentee voting; entitles persons age 65 or older on date of an election to vote absentee.
SB1295: Early voting; any registered voter allowed to vote early in any election in which he is qualified.
SB1441: Absentee voting; eligibility of persons whose polling place prohibits firearms. (failed)
SB1567: Absentee ballots; eligibility of persons age 65 or older. (failed)
HB57: Absentee voting; no excuse. (failed)
HB74: Early voting; any registered voter allowed to vote early in any election in which he is qualified. (failed)
HB92: Absentee voting; eligibility of certain caregivers. (failed)
HB186: Absentee voting; persons age 65 or older. (failed)
HB265: Election day; extending polling hours. (failed)
HB568: Election day; extending polling hours. (failed)
HB733: Absentee voting; no-excuse in-person available 21 days prior to election. (failed)
HB835: Absentee voting; no excuse required when voting in person. (failed)
HB1072: Absentee voting; no excuse. (failed)
HB1129: Elections; establishes voter-nominated open primary elections. (failed)
HB1134: Absentee voting; persons age 65 or older. (failed)
SB4: Absentee voting; persons age 65 or older.
SB114: Absentee voting; no excuse.
SB136: Absentee voting; no-excuse in-person available 21 days prior to election.
SB164: Absentee voting; persons age 65 or older.
SB254: Absentee voting; no excuse required when voting in person.
SB277: Absentee voting; persons age 65 or older.
SB453: Absentee voting; persons age 65 or older.
SB602: Absentee voting; no-excuse in-person available 21 days prior to election.
SB689: Absentee voting; eligibility of persons whose polling place prohibits firearms.
HB1628: Absentee voting; persons age 65 or older. (failed)
HB1641: Absentee voting; no-excuse absentee. (failed)
HB1794: Early voting; any registered voter allowed to vote early without providing reason, etc. (failed)
HB1959: Absentee voting; no-excuse in-person available 21 days prior to election. (failed)
HB2683: Polling places; extending hours. (failed)
HB2709: Early voting; any registered voter allowed to vote early without providing reason, etc. (failed)
HB2716: Elections and voter registration; early voting, same day voter registration. (failed)
HB2790: Absentee voting; no-excuse in-person, beginning on 2nd Sat. immediately preceding election. (passed)
SB4: Absentee voting; persons age 65 or older. (failed)
SB114: Absentee voting; no excuse. (failed)
SB136: Absentee voting; no-excuse in-person available 21 days prior to election. (failed)
SB164: Absentee voting; persons age 65 or older. (failed)
SB254: Absentee voting; no excuse required when voting in person. (failed)
SB277: Absentee voting; persons age 65 or older. (failed)
SB453: Absentee voting; persons age 65 or older. (failed)
SB602: Absentee voting; no-excuse in-person available 21 days prior to election. (failed)
SB689: Absentee voting; eligibility of persons whose polling place prohibits firearms. (failed)
SB1026: Absentee voting; no-excuse, in-person, beginning on second Saturday immediately preceding election. (passed)
SB1035: Absentee voting; no-excuse absentee.
SB1075: Absentee voting; no-excuse in-person available 21 days prior to election.
SB1198: Absentee voting; no excuse required when voting in person.
SB1206: Elections; early voting. (failed)
SB1672: Absentee voting; no-excuse absentee. (failed)
HB1: Absentee voting; no excuse required. (passed)
HB25: Absentee voting; no excuse required.
HB187: Elections; same-day registration, in-person absentee and election day voting.
HB201: Elections; same-day registration. (passed)
HB207: Absentee voting; no excuse required, permanent absentee voter list. (passed)
HB208: Elections; absentee voting by persons age 65 or older.
HB209: Absentee voting; no excuse required.
HB360: Elections; voter-nominated open primary elections, ranked choice voting for certain elections. (failed)
HB1643: Election day; extending polling hours from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
HB1678: Election day; extending polling hours from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (passed)
SB45: Absentee voting; no excuse required.
SB111: Absentee voting; no excuse required. (passed)
SB137: Absentee voting; early voting in person without an excuse.
SB442: Polling place activities; reorganization of sections, technical amendments. (passed)
SB696: Absentee voting; no excuse required when voting in person.
SB879: Absentee voting; no excuse required.
HB360: Elections; voter-nominated open primary elections, ranked choice voting for certain elections.
HB35: Absentee voting; excuse required to vote absentee by mail, etc. (failed)
SB552: Absentee voting; excuse required to vote absentee by mail, signature match. (failed)
SB697: Elections; same-day registration, in-person absentee and election day voting. (failed)
HB1812: Foreign interference in elections; registration, absentee voting, and conduct of elections. (failed)
HB1847: Elections; registration, absentee, and conduct of election. (failed)
SB884: Elections; registration, absentee voting, and conduct of election. (failed)
HB393: Election reform. (failed)
HB2276: Voter registration; list maintenance activities, cancellation procedures, required record matches. (failed)
HB213: Uniform Military and Overseas Voters Act; restrictions on ballot eligibility. (failed)
HB972: Voter registration; list maintenance activities, cancellation procedures, required record matches. (passed)
HB1131: Elections; identification containing a photograph required and excuse required to vote absentee.