Virginia Voting Requirements & Information
U.S. Vote Foundation’s Virginia Voting Requirements and Information directory informs you of Virginia voting rules and options. It focuses on Virginia-specific voting guidelines and information for all voters, including domestic, overseas, and military voters. Here you can find out about Virginia voter eligibility, voter ID requirements, registration, absentee and early voting options, ways to transmit voting documents and links to specific-Virginia voting tools. It's an all-in-one Virginia voting resource.
Upcoming Election Dates & Deadlines
Virginia Federal and State Elections
Tue Jan 7, 2025 - Virginia State Senate District 32 Special Election
Voter Registration Deadline
- Submitted by
Tue Dec 31, 2024 - Same Day Registration & Voting
{datetime}
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
- Received by
Fri Dec 27, 2024 5:00PM - In-Person Request by
Sat Jan 4, 2025 - Emergency Ballot Request by
Mon Jan 6, 2025 2:00PM
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
- Received by
Tue Jan 7, 2025 7:00PM - Postmarked On or Before Election Day and Received by
Fri Jan 10, 2025
Early Voting Available
In-person Absentee VotingAlso referred to in Virginia as In-person Early Voting
From Wed Dec 11, 2024 to Mon Jan 6, 2025
Tue Jan 7, 2025 - Virginia State House District 26 Special Election
Voter Registration Deadline
- Submitted by
Tue Dec 31, 2024 - Same Day Registration & Voting
{datetime}
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
- Received by
Fri Dec 27, 2024 5:00PM - In-Person Request by
Sat Jan 4, 2025 - Emergency Ballot Request by
Mon Jan 6, 2025 2:00PM
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
- Received by
Tue Jan 7, 2025 7:00PM - Postmarked On or Before Election Day and Received by
Fri Jan 10, 2025
Early Voting Available
In-person Absentee VotingAlso referred to in Virginia as In-person Early Voting
From Wed Dec 11, 2024 to Mon Jan 6, 2025
General Information
Registration
You can register to vote or update your registration information:
- online
- by mail
- in person at your elections office
- on election day at the election office or polling location effective Oct. 1, 2022
Note that if you use the Same Day Registration option after the regular registration deadline, you will have to vote with a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots get counted after eligibility is verified. If possible, it's best to register during the regular registration period so that your ballot gets counted right away.
Election Day Voting
Polling places are open from 6am to 7pm on Election Day.
Find my polling place
Early Voting
A registered voter may vote early at their local registrar’s office beginning 45 days preceding Election Day and ending the Saturday before the election.
Some large localities offer satellite locations for early voting. Check with your local registrar for locations and times for each election. Accessible equipment as well as curbside voting may be available upon request.
Absentee Voting
Any registered voter may request an absentee ballot and vote by mail. Ballots can be mailed to voters starting 45 days before an election. Be sure to include a witness signature when returning your ballot.
Please visit the US Vote Disability Voting Guide to see accommodations for the registration and voting process.
Eligibility Requirements
You are eligible to vote in Virginia if you:
- Are a U.S. citizen
- Are a resident of Virginia
- Are at least 18 years old by Election Day
You are NOT eligible to vote in Virginia if:
- You have been legally declared "mentally incompetent" by a court
- You are registered to vote in another state
- You have been convicted of a felony and have not yet had your civil rights restored.
Agencies or courts in Virginia have issued opinions that individuals under guardianship DO have the right to vote unless the guardianship decree contains an express order otherwise.
Restorative Requirements
If convicted of a felony, you can't vote while incarcerated, while on probation, or while on parole. Your right to vote can only be restored by the Governor. This is subject to change under future Governors and this page will be updated as needed.
You are able to pre-register:
- at 17 years of age provided you will be 18 by the next general election.
Any person who is 17 years old and will be eighteen years of age at the next general election shall be permitted to register in advance and also vote in any intervening primary or special election
If you are a student, you are eligible to vote in Virginia if:
- You reside in Virginia but are attending college in another state
- You reside in another state but attend college in Virginia
- You provide a student ID from an accredited school in this state
Identification Requirements
Voter Registration
To register to vote in Virginia you should provide:
- Your Virginia Driver's License or State ID Number (online applicants only)
- Your Social Security Number
Voting In-Person
Registered voters can use any of the IDs below or sign an ID Confirmation Statement at the polls. Voters arriving at the polls without an acceptable form of ID will be required to sign an ID Confirmation Statement.
- Virginia Driver's License - valid or expired
- Virginia Non-Driver's License - valid or expired
- Valid Military ID
- Valid Tribal ID
- Valid Student ID from State School
- Valid US Passport
- Valid Virginia Voter ID Card
- Utility Bill, Bank Statement, Government Check, or Paycheck that Shows your current name and address
- Valid Employee ID with photo
- Government issued nursing care facility ID card
- Government Issued Document that shows your current name and address
ID requirements also apply to early voters who vote at the General Registrar's Office or at a satellite voting location. Note that you can use an expired Virginia driver's license for voting purposes.
First time absentee by mail voters who did not provide id during registration must provide a copy of one of the following forms of id along with their ballot:
- Current and Valid Photo ID
- Utility Bill, Bank Statement, Government Check, or Paycheck that Shows your current name and address
- Government Issued Document that shows your current name and address
Witness / Notarization Requirements
An absentee ballot must include ONLY ONE the following in order to be counted:
- One Witness Signature
Voter Materials Transmission Options
Domestic Voter |
In-Person |
|
Fax |
|
Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voter Registration | |||||
| Absentee Ballot Request | |||||
| Blank Ballot To Voter | |||||
| Voted-Absentee Ballot Return |
State Lookup Tools – Am I Registered?
State Elections Website
Where is my Polling Place?
Where is my Ballot?
Can I Register to Vote Online?
Am I Registered?
Overseas / Military Voter Information
Has my Ballot Been Counted?
State Voter Registration FAQ
Where is my Ballot Drop Box?
Where are my Early Voting Locations?
Where is my Overseas or Military Ballot?
Upcoming Election Dates & Deadlines
Virginia Federal and State Elections
Tue Jan 7, 2025 - Virginia State Senate District 32 Special Election
Voter Registration Deadline
Received byTue Dec 31, 2024 5:00PM
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
Received byFri Dec 27, 2024
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
- Received by
Tue Jan 7, 2025 7:00PM - Postmarked On or Before Election Day and Received by
Fri Jan 10, 2025
Tue Jan 7, 2025 - Virginia State House District 26 Special Election
Voter Registration Deadline
Received byTue Dec 31, 2024 5:00PM
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
Received byFri Dec 27, 2024
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
- Received by
Tue Jan 7, 2025 7:00PM - Postmarked On or Before Election Day and Received by
Fri Jan 10, 2025
Eligibility Requirements
Overseas Voters
U.S. citizens living abroad have the right to vote as absentee voters, provided they are eligible to vote in their state. If you are living outside of the U.S. permanently, indefinitely, or temporarily, your voting rights stay with you, even if you never voted when you lived in the U.S. To vote from overseas:
- Complete and send an overseas voter registration/ballot request form to your election office in the U.S. This is one specific form that will register you as an overseas voter and request your absentee ballot – simultaneously.
Many states allow children who were born overseas, but never lived in the U.S., to use their U.S. parents’ last residence address to register.
Military Voters
Service members and their eligible family members living outside their voting jurisdiction (within or outside the U.S.) are able to vote as absentee voters.
- If you are a service member, or an eligible family member, there is a single form to file for both voter registration and ballot request. It is often called the “Federal Post Card Application” or the FPCA form. This form must be re-filed with your election office each time you change location.
To vote as a service member or eligible family member:
- Complete and send a voter registration/ballot request form “FPCA” to your election office in the U.S. It is the same form in all states.
Identification Requirements
Voting Overseas
U.S. citizens living overseas may register and request a ballot using the overseas voter registration/ballot request form. You will have the following identification options when completing the form:
- Complete Social Security Number
Voting Military
Service members and their dependents may register and request a ballot using the federal voter registration/ballot request form ("FPCA"). You will have the following identification options when completing the form:
- Complete Social Security Number
Voter Materials Transmission Options
Overseas Voter |
In-Person |
|
Fax |
|
Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voter Registration | |||||
| Absentee Ballot Request | |||||
| Blank Ballot To Voter | |||||
| Voted-Absentee Ballot Return |
Military Voter |
In-Person |
|
Fax |
|
Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voter Registration | |||||
| Absentee Ballot Request | |||||
| Blank Ballot To Voter | |||||
| Voted-Absentee Ballot Return |