How to vote in Virginia
On this page
- Voter registration deadline (online): 22 days before Election Day
- Voter registration deadline (by mail): Postmarked by 22 days before election
- Voter registration deadline (in person): Election Day
- Ballot request deadline (online): 11 days before Election Day
- Ballot request deadline (by mail): Received by 11 days before Election Day
- Ballot request deadline (in person): 11 days before Election Day
- Ballot return deadline (by mail): Postmarked by Election Day
- Ballot return deadline (in person): Received by Election Day
Virginia voter registration guide
- Register to vote (online): 22 days before Election Day
- Register to vote (by mail): Postmarked by 22 days before election
- Register to vote (in person): Election Day
- If you can't remember if you're registered to vote, or you want to make sure your information is correct, you can check your Virginia registration using the Virginia voter registration lookup site.
- If you're not registered to vote, or you need to update your voter registration information, follow the instructions below.
To register in Virginia you must:
- be a citizen of the United States
- be a resident of Virginia and of the precinct in which you want to vote
- be 16 years old to register. If you are 17, you may vote in a primary if you will turn 18 by the General Election
- if convicted of a felony, have had your civil rights restored. Most people have their civil rights restored when they complete probation and parole. Click here to find your civil rights status.
- not currently be declared incapacitated by a court.
You can register to vote online if you have a Virginia driver license, driver permit, or photo ID card issued by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
- Visit the Virginia online voter registration site.
- Fill out all the required fields.
- You will be registered to vote as soon as you finish the workflow.
- You should receive your voter registration card in the mail within 2-3 weeks. If not, you might want to follow up with your local election office.
- The deadline to register to vote online is 22 days before Election Day.
- Download and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
- Box 6 - ID Number: Virginia requires you to provide your full social security number when you register to vote. Your social security number will appear on reports produced only for official use by voter registration and election officials and, for jury selection purposes, by courts.
- Box 7 - Choice of Party: You do not need to register with a party to take part in that party’s primary election, caucus, or convention.
- Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank.
- Print, date, and sign the form. If you do not have a printer, you can print the form out at any local library. If you do not have a stamp, you can buy one from any grocery store: just ask the cashier to sell you one.
- Mail your voter registration form to the mailing address below. For faster delivery, send the form directly to your local election office.
- Your voter registration form must be postmarked by 22 days before election.
- Contact your local election office to find where to register to vote in person.
Bring your Virginia driver’s license or Virginia DMV-issued ID card with you. It may be current or expired. If you don't have one, you may bring an ID from this list.
- Summary: Virginia has same day registration. You can register and vote during the early voting period and on Election Day.
- Where to go:
Go to your designated voting location. Click here to find where to vote.
- What to bring:
Bring your Virginia driver’s license or Virginia DMV-issued ID card with you. It may be current or expired. If you don't have one, you may bring an ID from this list.
- Need help? Contact your local election office if you have questions.
No automatic voting rights restoration. Individuals convicted of felonies are required to seek restoration of their right to vote from the governor or the relevant circuit court of Virginia.
- You cannot vote while incarcerated.
- You cannot vote while on parole.
- You cannot vote while on probation.
- You cannot vote upon completion of your sentence.
- Financial obligations:
- parole fees
- probation fees
- Please visit Restore Your Vote for additional information.
Virginia absentee and mail ballot guide
Absentee ballots and mail ballots are the same thing, and the process for getting one is straight forward.
- Request your ballot by the deadline
- Receive your in ballot in the mail
- Return your ballot by the deadline
- Earliest day to apply: 365 days before Election Day
- Request deadline (online): 11 days before Election Day
- Request deadline (by mail): Received by 11 days before Election Day
- Request deadline (in person): 11 days before Election Day
- Deadline to return your ballot (by mail): Postmarked by Election Day
- Deadline to return your ballot (in person): Received by Election Day
Any registered Virginia voter may request an absentee ballot and vote by mail.
- Visit the Virginia absentee ballot website.
- Fill out all of the required information.
- Hit save or submit when you are done.
- The deadline to apply online is 11 days before Election Day.
- Download the Virginia absentee ballot application.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Print the application.
- Sign and date your application. This is very important.
- Mail or hand-deliver your completed application directly to your local election office as soon as possible, but no later than the deadline.
- If it’s close to the deadline, call your local election office and see if they will let you submit your application via email or fax.
- Your application must be received by 11 days before Election Day.
- Visit your local election office.
- Ask the clerk to give you an absentee ballot application.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Sign and date your application.
- The deadline to apply in person is 11 days before Election Day.
- Carefully read and follow the instructions, and fill out all required fields.
- Sign and date the outside envelope.
- Mail or hand-deliver your ballot to your local election office. You can also hand-deliver your ballot to a drop box if one is available nearby. You can use our Find Out Where To Vote tool to find an official drop box.
- If you mail your ballot, it must be postmarked by Election Day.
- If you hand-deliver your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
- If you miss the deadline – or forget to sign the outside envelope – your vote will not be counted.
- ID required when requesting a mail-in ballot:
You must provide the last 4 digits of your social security number on your absentee ballot application. Additionally, the signature on your absentee ballot application will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match.
- ID required when returning a mail-in ballot:
Your signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match. If you forget to sign the return envelope, your ballot might be rejected. Additionally, if you did not submit valid ID when registering to vote by mail then you must include a copy of a non-expired photo ID or a current utility bill, bank statement, government check or paycheck that shows name and address.
Track your ballot here: Virginia absentee ballot tracker
Ballot curing is the process of resolving any problems with your absentee or mail ballot to ensure that your vote is counted. After tracking your ballot, contact your local election office to fix any issues that have been noted.
- Your ballot will be rejected if you forget to sign it or if the signature does not match the one that the state has on file for you.
- The state might contact you by writing or e-mail to let you know that there are issues with your ballot.
- You must make corrections by noon on the 3rd day after Election Day for your vote to count.
Some states have special procedures that allow you to obtain an emergency ballot if a medical or other emergency occurs after the standard absentee ballot application window.
Emergency Ballot Rules
You can apply for an emergency absentee ballot if any of the following happen within 3 days of Election Day
- you become very ill or are hopitalized
- a family member becomes very ill, or is hospitalized, or dies
- you are an election officer who was assigned to work in a precinct other than your own precinct
- your have a work assignement, or other work obligation, that will require you to be out of town on Election Day
Dates & Deadlines
- Emergency ballot request ends 2PM one day before Election Day completed application must be returned by 5PM
- Emergency ballot return deadline is Election Day
Contact your local election office
Virginia early voting guide
- Early voting starts: 45 days before Election Day
- Early voting ends: 3 days before Election Day
You must show ID when you vote. Acceptable forms of photo ID include an ID issued by the State of Virginia or the Federal Government, a tribal ID, an employee ID, or a student ID issued by an accredited high school, college or university. Acceptable forms of non-photo ID include a recent utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document containing your name and address. Your ID can be expired as long as it has expired within 12 months.
Virginia voter ID guide
You must show ID when you vote. Acceptable forms of photo ID include an ID issued by the State of Virginia or the Federal Government, a tribal ID, an employee ID, or a student ID issued by an accredited high school, college or university. Acceptable forms of non-photo ID include a recent utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document containing your name and address. Your ID can be expired as long as it has expired within 12 months.
You must provide the last 4 digits of your social security number on your absentee ballot application. Additionally, the signature on your absentee ballot application will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match.
Your signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match. If you forget to sign the return envelope, your ballot might be rejected. Additionally, if you did not submit valid ID when registering to vote by mail then you must include a copy of a non-expired photo ID or a current utility bill, bank statement, government check or paycheck that shows name and address.
You can register to vote online if you have a Virginia driver license, driver permit, or photo ID card issued by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
Bring your Virginia driver’s license or Virginia DMV-issued ID card with you. It may be current or expired. If you don't have one, you may bring an ID from this list.
Local election office
Contact your local election office if you have questions.
Statewide election office
This is the statewide agency that is ultimately responsible for Virginia elections. You can contact them with questions, but your local election office will probably respond faster.
Virginia State Board of Elections 1100 Bank Street, 1st floor Richmond, VA 23219