Voting in Virginia

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State Primary Election

06/18/2024
State Primary Election Day
05/28/2024
Voter Registration Deadline (by mail - postmarked, online)
06/18/2024
Voter Registration Deadline (in-person)

Vote By Mail Deadlines

06/07/2024
Deadline to Request Ballot (Received by)
06/18/2024
Deadline to Return Ballot (Postmarked By)

Early Voting Dates

06/08/2024
Early Voting Begins
06/15/2024
Early Voting Ends

The upcoming election is a state primary. Click here for additional info, including party requirements and what's on the ballot.

Polling place hours: 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Register to Vote

How to Vote in Virginia

Learn about all the options to vote in Virginia to make a plan to vote that works for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Virginia Board of Elections Phone Number: (800) 552-9745

Virginia Board of Elections Website

Having trouble at the polls?

Call or text: 1-866-OUR-VOTE

Register to Vote in Virginia

Whether you are registering to vote for the first time, or need to update your address, name or party affiliation - we've got you covered!

Am I Registered?

Not sure if you are eligible to vote due to a felony conviction?
Click here to learn more.

Virginia Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! You can check your voter registration online on Virginia’s elections office website here, or you can contact the Board of Elections at (804) 864-8901.

It can take several weeks. Most states send out voter registration cards within 5 to 7 weeks after receiving the registration. If you do not receive a registration card in the mail, contact your state election office to confirm you are registered. Find your state’s contact information in our How to Vote in Your State section on this page! In any event, you should verify your registration a week prior to the voter registration deadline in your state in case you need to fill out a new registration form or correct your form.

Elections take place all the time throughout the year, and odds are, you probably have an election coming up in your state! In addition to the presidential election and midterm elections, you have statewide, countywide and municipal elections that you can make your voice heard in. Make sure you know when your upcoming elections are so that you don’t miss a single one! Check out when your next election is here.

Your state provides an online ballot tracking system. You can track your ballot here!

YES you are able to register to vote at your student address. You should provide your official campus mailing address as well as the actual physical address of your on or off campus residence when registering to vote. You must have some sort of proof of address and residency that can be presented at your polling place (mail, a student ID, etc.). For more information, we suggest visiting your state’s elections office website. Remember: you can only register to vote and vote in one place, whether that is your student address or your home address!

YES, unhoused voters can register to vote and use their voice in Virginia’s elections. Unhoused voters or voters without a permanent address may list a shelter address, street corner, or park as their address. For more information on voting while unhoused, visit our friends at the National Coalition for the Homeless.

YES. In this case you must register at the last address you had before you left the USA, or at the address to which you will return to when returning to the USA (you must present some indication of a present intent to return and live there – e.g. vehicle registration, driver’s license, property ownership, family, etc). If you have never had a permanent address in the United States but are a citizen you are allowed to register at an address you plan on moving to or an address where you currently have family living. Access more information on voting overseas here.

You may call the voting rights hotline at 866 687-8683, if informing another poll worker isn’t successful. They have lawyers ready to help you. Additionally, you can call the civil rights division of the U.S Department of Justice.

You can also find Virginia’s elections office here and contact them by phone at (804) 864-8901.

Vote By Mail

Request and track

Notice: Mail-in voting is a convenient and safe way to vote, but your ballot might not count if it’s submitted late or with errors. So follow the directions below on how to vote early or absentee and make your vote count in Virginia.

Vote By Mail Deadlines

06/07/2024
Deadline to Request Ballot (Received by)
06/18/2024
Deadline to Return Ballot (Postmarked By)

How Vote By Mail Works in Virginia

In Virginia, voting by mail is a two step process:

Step 1: Request your ballot NOW. The deadline for your application to be received is 11 days before Election Day.

Step 2: Return your ballot ASAP.

  • Return in person to your local registrar, locality's designated drop box or any polling place in your locality by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
  • Or stamp and mail your ballot - ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received by three days after Election Day to be counted. To make your postmark date, put the ballot into your home mailbox for collection at least one day prior to ensure it is picked up and processed. You can also drop the ballot off at the post office before the last posted collection time on Election Day. We recommend returning ASAP, as the post office may not be able to deliver within three days, even with the postmark.

Note: Virginia disqualifies some first time voters that registered to vote with a paper form and are voting for the first time in their locality from voting by mail. Click here to see what rules apply to you.

Click Here to See Your Ballot

Witness or Notary Requirement

Grab a friend! After you complete your ballot, you must sign the absentee ballot return envelope in the presence of an adult witness. They must sign, too.

Where to Sign Your Ballot

Remember to sign your return ballot.

After you complete your ballot, sign the "Statement of Absentee Voter" on envelope B.

ID Requirements to Vote By Mail

First time voters must submit ID when voting by mail.

ID is required with application to vote by mail.

The last 4 digits of your social security number are required identification when applying to vote by absentee ballot. You do not need to submit a copy of your photo ID when voting by mail in a state election. In federal elections, first time mail voters do have to submit a copy of their ID. 

How You Can Return Your Mail-in Ballot

If you return your ballot by mail, your postage is prepaid.

You can also drop off your ballot in person at your local elections office, drop box, or polling place.

Track Your Ballot

Track your ballot by clicking here.

Haven't used your ballot?

If you decide to vote in person rather than use your absentee ballot, take the following steps:

Unused ballot: First, go to your local registrar and return your ballot. Then, go to your polling place and vote in person on Election Day.

Lost ballot: You must go to your local registrar and sign a statement, at which point you are entitled to a provisional ballot. This is better than not voting, but may not be counted.

Made a mistake: If you made a mistake on your ballot, you may return it to your local registrar or to your polling place on Election Day. Then, vote in person.

 

Opportunities to Fix Challenges to Your Ballot

Virginia does offer voters a chance to address challenges to their ballot.

Your state has a cure period, which means you can “cure” a challenge to the signature on your ballot if it was done incorrectly. Your local elections office is required to contact you and give you options to remedy your ballot. You may cure your ballot by 12 p.m. noon on the 3rd day after Election Day.

You may get a call from a number you do not recognize with a notification that you need to cure your ballot. Be sure to pick so you don’t miss your chance to make sure your vote is counted.

Voter ID

Do Voters Need ID?

Virginia voters are required to show photo ID at the polls. Valid forms of identification include;

  • Virginia voter registration card
  • United States passport
  • Virginia-driver’s license or DMV issued photo ID
  • Military ID
  • Tribal ID
  • Student ID with a photo, issued at a high school or post-secondary school in VA
  • Other US or Virginia government issued ID
  • Tribal enrollment or other tribal photo ID (if issued by a tribe in Virginia)

A full list of acceptable forms of identification can be found here.

Voter ID in Virginia

Find Your Ballot

Enter your address below to see what you can expect on Election Day.

Primaries

Statewide Primaries

Primary Type (D): Open
Primary Type (R): Open

The election is an open primary. You may choose to vote in any party’s primary.

The Virginia primary election includes the following races:

– U.S. senator
– U.S. representatives
– School boards
– Municipal elected officials

In your state 17-year-olds who will turn 18 by November 5th, 2024 are able to vote in the state primary election

Automatic Registration

Your state automatically registers people to vote at the address on their drivers license or other state issued ID card. If you have moved but have not updated your ID with your new address, changed your name or want to add a political party selection, you must update your voter registration. Click here to check to see if you are registered to vote, and update your registration if needed.

Election Day Registration

You can register to vote and cast your ballot on Election Day at your polling place or local elections office. Bring a valid ID and proof of residence with you.

Early Voting

Early Voting Dates

06/08/2024
Voting Begins
06/15/2024
Voting Ends

You can vote early in Virginia

Early voting will be available at your local elections office and other locally designated locations.

Preregister

Some states have laws that specifically allow citizens to preregister at a certain age while others allow registration as long as you’re 18 by the next election. Preregistration means you’ll be automatically registered to vote on your 18th birthday without taking any additional steps.

In Virginia, you can preregister to vote if you are 16. Register to vote today!

Some states even let you vote in their primaries at 17 if you’ll be 18 by the general election so you can participate in the whole process!

You can vote in the Virginia primaries if you are 17 by the next election.