24.2-625.1 - Voting equipment security.
§ 24.2-625.1. Voting equipment security.
A. Records of the State Board of Elections or of a local electoral board, tothe extent such records describe protocols for maintaining the security ofballots or voting and counting equipment, or reveal the results of riskassessments of specific local electoral procedures, the release of whichwould compromise the security of any election, shall be confidential andexcluded from inspection and copying under the Virginia Freedom ofInformation Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.).
B. The State Board of Elections or a local electoral board may hold a closedmeeting pursuant to the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Actfor the purpose of discussing protocols for maintaining the security ofballots or voting and counting equipment, or risk assessments of specificlocal electoral procedures, where discussion of such matters in open meetingwould compromise the security of any election. Nothing in this subsectionshall be construed to authorize a closed meeting to discuss any breach ofsecurity in the conduct of an election.
C. Two members of any local electoral board may conduct site visits for thesole purpose of investigating compliance with security policies andprocedures. No such visit shall be deemed a meeting under the provisions ofthe Virginia Freedom of Information Act. However, prior to conducting suchsite visits, the board shall hold an open meeting, as defined in the VirginiaFreedom of Information Act, and shall identify at that meeting its intentionto conduct such site visits, the dates on which such visits will occur, andall polling places or other locations at which such visits will occur,withholding only information identifying secure sites at which voting andcounting equipment or ballots are stored. No later than 30 days after anysite visit has been conducted pursuant to this paragraph, the board shallhold an open meeting, as defined in the Virginia Freedom of Information Act,at which it shall identify each location visited and the date on which eachsuch location was visited, withholding only information identifying securesites at which voting and counting equipment or ballots are stored.
D. The electoral board of each county and city that utilizes electronicvoting systems shall develop and annually update written plans and proceduresto ensure the security and integrity of its electronic voting systems. Thegeneral registrar and the State Board shall provide the electoral boardassistance, upon request.
E. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the release ofinformation concerning any breach of security in the conduct of an election.
(2005, c. 568; 2007, c. 794.)