EVCIElection Voter-Confidence Index

No section in the FTS-surfaced candidates satisfies this criterion. Best signal: § 24.2-641 addresses sample ballot posting at polling places on election day but does not establish a statutory requirement for a voter pamphlet or analog publication containing candidate and ballot-question information with defined content and distribution requirements. The section mandates physical display of sample ballots at precincts but does not enumerate content requirements, distribution methods beyond polling-place posting, or create a comprehensive voter information guide. A voter pamphlet typically requires statutory content specifications (candidate statements, ballot measure text, arguments pro/con, etc.) and defined distribution channels (mail, online, etc.). This provision establishes only minimal procedural clarity regarding sample ballot posting logistics, not the existence of a statutory ballot information pamphlet framework.

This statute explicitly codifies in Virginia law the triggers for multilingual voting and election materials. It establishes three distinct population-based thresholds (5% single language minority, 10,000+ single language minority, or 5% American Indian language minority in Indian reservations) using objective census data. It defines "voting or election materials" to include ballots, sample ballots, voter information pamphlets, and registration notices. The statute directly ties the requirement to provide materials in the minority language to these statutorily-defined triggers, satisfying the criterion that multilingual notice triggers be codified in statute.

“The State Board shall designate a county, city, or town as a covered locality if it determines, in consultation with the Director of the Census, on the basis of the 2010 American Community Survey census data and subsequent American Community Survey data in five-year increments, or comparable census data, that (i) more than five percent of the citizens of voting age of such county, city, or town are members of a single language minority and are unable to speak or understand English adequately enough to participate in the electoral process; (ii) more than 10,000 of the citizens of voting age of such county, city, or town are members of a single language minority and are unable to speak or understand English adequately enough to participate in the electoral process; or (iii) in the case of a county, city, or town containing all or any part of an Indian reservation, more than five percent of the American Indian citizens of voting age within the Indian reservation are members of a single language minority and are unable to speak or understand English adequately enough to participate in the electoral process. Whenever a covered locality provides any voting or election materials, it shall provide such materials in the language of the applicable minority group as well as in the English language.”

No section in the FTS-surfaced candidates satisfies this criterion. Best signal: This section addresses conduct restrictions on electoral board members and staff regarding the solicitation of nominating petition signatures in public buildings. It does not establish requirements for public accessibility of candidate-filing documents, does not enumerate timing for disclosure, and does not codify procedures for public access to nominating petitions or eligibility certifications. The criterion requires statutory codification of public accessibility requirements and defined timelines for candidate-filing documents. This section merely prohibits a specific solicitation activity by election officials and therefore does not satisfy CAND.1.

Section 24.2-541 codifies a clear statutory procedure for handling candidate disqualification and withdrawal after ballot printing. The statute establishes specific timing requirements (25 days for death, 60 days for withdrawal/setting aside nomination), specifies the responsible officials (electoral board), and enumerates concrete actions (either reprint ballots with qualifying candidates or print separate ballots). The provision explicitly addresses the post-printing scenario ('If ballots for the election have already been printed') and prescribes mandatory procedures ('shall either'). The dual-scholar test is satisfied: two independent readers would identify this as establishing a codified public-notice and ballot-management procedure for candidate disqualification/withdrawal scenarios.

“In the case (i) of a candidate who has died if the notice is filed with the proper official at least 25 days before the day on which the election is to be held or (ii) of a candidate who has withdrawn or had his nomination set aside if the notice is filed with the proper official at least 60 days before the day on which the election is to be held, the electoral board or boards having charge of the printing of the ballots for such election shall either: Cause to be printed thereon the name of every person qualifying as provided in this article; or If ballots for the election have already been printed, cause separate ballots to be printed for the office on which shall be printed the name of every person qualifying as provided in this article”

The statute does establish timing requirements (100 days before regular elections; as soon as practicable for special elections) and identifies who publishes notices (Department of Elections). However, the section's content scope is narrowly tailored to federal write-in absentee ballot information and ballot measures/offices. The statute does not explicitly require communication of fundamental election logistics such as polling place locations, voter registration deadlines, or election dates to the general voting public. While timing and some content are codified, the requirement focuses on absentee ballot instructions rather than comprehensive pre-election voter notification covering the elements specified in the criterion (date, polling place, registration deadline). The section satisfies part of the criterion's requirements but not the full scope of voter notification standards.

“At least 100 days before a regularly scheduled election and as soon as practicable before an election not regularly scheduled, the Department of Elections shall make election information available for each jurisdiction, to be used in conjunction with a federal write-in absentee ballot.”

Virginia Code § 24.2-306 explicitly codifies a statutory requirement for individual notice when a voter's polling place changes. The statute mandates that notice be mailed to all registered voters affected by the change, and specifies a clear timeframe: at least 15 days prior to the next election in which those voters will vote in the changed location. This provision directly satisfies both elements of the criterion: (1) there is a statutory requirement for individual notice, and (2) a defined timeframe is established (15 days minimum before the next election).

“Notice of any adopted change in any election district, town, precinct, or polling place other than in the location of the office of the general registrar shall be mailed to all registered voters whose election district, town, precinct, or polling place is changed at least 15 days prior to the next general, special, or primary election in which the voters will be voting in the changed election district, town, precinct, or polling place.”