Virginia Information about Petitioning a Circuit Court for Approval of the Right to Register to Vote includes two types of petitions: (1) a petition for a writ of mandamus and (2) a petition for a declaratory judgment. A petition for a writ of mandamus is a legal action that requires a court to issue a court order to a public official or government office, requiring them to perform an act that is required by law. In the case of voting rights, a petition for a writ of mandamus is used to compel a public official or government office to register a person to vote when the person is otherwise eligible. A petition for a declaratory judgment is a legal action that seeks a court ruling on the rights of parties involved in a dispute without actually filing a lawsuit. In the case of voting rights, a petition for a declaratory judgment is used to seek a court ruling on the right of an individual to register to vote in Virginia. In order to file a petition for a writ of mandamus or a petition for a declaratory judgment, an individual must file the petition in the circuit court in the jurisdiction where the person resides or intends to register to vote. The petition must include a statement of facts, the relief being sought, and the grounds for the relief. The individual must also serve a copy of the petition on the Attorney General of Virginia. The Attorney General may appear in the case and oppose the petition. Once the petition is filed, the court will take the case under advisement and issue a ruling. If the court rules in favor of the petition, the individual will be entitled to register to vote in Virginia.