CHAPTER 576

AN ACT to amend and reenact §§ 24-53, 24-68, and 24-71 of the Code of
Virginia, to provide for the removal of registrars who improperly
register voters; to provide that application for registration to vote
shall be made on a sheet of paper containing no written or printed
data, information, questions or words; and to provide that the ap-
plicant shall not be permitted to refer to any pamphlet, booklet or other
memorandum while he is making his application for registration,
other than applicable provisions of the Constitution and Code of
Virginia.

(S 179]

Approved March 29, 1958

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§ 24-53, 24-68, and 24-71 of the Code of Virginia be amended
and reenacted as follows:

§ 24-53. The registrar shall hold office for two years from the first
day of July following his appointment, and until his successor is duly ap-
pointed and qualified. The acceptance of any other office either elective or
appointive by such registrar, except that of precinct judge of election,
during his term of office shall, ipso facto, vacate the office of registrar.
Any registrar or assistant registrar who registers or permits the registra-
tion of any person who has not made application to register as required by
and in conformity with this chapter and section twenty of the Constitution
may be removed from office by the electoral board of the county or city
and if so removed shall be ineligible to serve as registrar any where in
the Commonwealth of Virginia for a period of five years. The electoral
board shall fill any vacancies that may occur in the office of registrar.

§ 24-68. Such applicant, unless physically unable to do so, shall make
application to the registrar in his own handwriting, without aid, sugges-
tion, or memorandum, on a sheet of paper containing no written or printed
data, information, questions or words, in the presence of the registrar,
stating therein his name, age, date, and place of birth, residence, and oc-
cupation at the time and for the one year next preceding, and whether he
has previously voted and if so, the state, county, and precinct in which he
voted last.

§ 24-71. It shall be the duty of the registrar to furnish a suitable and
convenient place, with necessary table, chair, sheet of paper containing
no written or printed data, information, questions, or words, and ink or
pencil, and nothing more, to be used by persons desiring to register in
writing their application for registration, the cost of the same to be paid
out of the county or city treasury. While making in writing his applica-
tion for registration the applicant shall not be permitted to refer to any
pamphlet, booklet or other memorandum, printed or written, nor to dis-
cuss with any person any matter concerning the requirements necessary in
order to register under this chapter.

The registrar, upon request of the applicant, and in advance of his
making written application, shall give the applicant information as to the
requirements incident to registration and advise the applicant as to the
pertinent provisions of this chapter and the Constitution. The registrar
shall furnish the applicant copies of the applicable provisions of the Con-
stitution and Code of Virginia, provided, however, no other written or
printed material shall be used or referred to by the applicant while making
application for registration.