During the 2026 Regular Session, important legislative changes were made to the filing requirements for local officers and employees, and for candidates for an elective office who are required to file a Statement of Economic Interests (SOEI) as part of their candidacy paperwork.
Beginning on July 1, 2026, all candidates for elective offices who are required to file a SOEI will file their form electronically, using the Ethics Council’s online filing system. Access to the electronic form will be provided by local General Registrars, or the Department of Elections for candidates running for the Virginia General Assembly, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or Attorney General.
Beginning on January 1, 2027, any local officer or employee who is required to file a SOEI, a Financial Disclosure Statement (FDS), or a Disclosure of Real Estate Holdings (DREH) will have the option to file their disclosures electronically, using the Ethics Council’s online filing system. They may still submit their disclosures on paper with their local clerk if they so choose.
The next year, beginning on January 1, 2028, all local officers and employees in localities that have a population in excess of 250,000 will be required to file their disclosures electronically using the Ethics Council’s online filing system.
The year after that, beginning on January 1, 2029, all local officers and employees in localities that have a population in excess of 100,00 will be required to file their disclosures electronically using the Ethics Council’s online filing system.
Finally, beginning on January 1, 2030, all local officers and employees throughout the Commonwealth will file their disclosure forms electronically, using the Ethics Council’s filing system.
For local filers, access to the electronic forms will be provided by the clerk of the governing body of the locality, or for school board officers and employees, by the clerk of the school board. Local Constitutional Officers will continue to receive access to their electronic SOEI forms from the Virginia Compensation Board.
A link to the text of the signed bill is provided below:
G. Stewart Petoe
Executive Director
Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council
201 North 9th Street, Fourth Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
804-698-1845
spetoe@dls.virginia.gov
website: ethics.dls.virginia.gov
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