24.2-687 - Authorization for distribution of information on referendum elections.
§ 24.2-687. Authorization for distribution of information on referendumelections.
A. The governing body of any county, city or town may provide for thepreparation and printing of an explanation for each referendum question to besubmitted to the voters of the county, city or town to be distributed at thepolling places on the day of the referendum election. The governing body mayhave the explanation published by paid advertisement in a newspaper withgeneral circulation in the county, city or town one or more times precedingthe referendum.
The explanation shall contain the ballot question and a statement of not morethan 500 words on the proposed question. The explanation shall be presentedin plain English, shall be limited to a neutral explanation, and shall notpresent arguments by either proponents or opponents of the proposal. Theattorney for the county, city or town or, if there is no county, city or townattorney, the attorney for the Commonwealth shall prepare the explanation."Plain English" means written in nontechnical, readily understandablelanguage using words of common everyday usage and avoiding legal terms andphrases or other terms and words of art whose usage or special meaningprimarily is limited to a particular field or profession.
B. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit a county, city or townfrom disseminating other neutral materials or advertisements concerningissues of public concern that are the subject of a referendum; however, thematerials or advertisements shall not advocate the passage or defeat of thereferendum question.
C. This section shall not be applicable to statewide referenda.
D. Any failure to comply with the provisions of this section shall not affectthe validity of the referendum.
(1996, c. 297; 2004, cc. 21, 399; 2006, c. 302.)