Virginia Voting Guide

The Virginia Senate has made its voting and election process easier and more accessible for its residents. The state offers registered voters same-day voter registration, absentee voting, and universal mail-in voting.

Continue reading the voter guide to learn more about voter registration status, voting eligibility in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and more.

Who is eligible to vote in Virginia?

To cast your ballot in Virginia local elections, primary elections, or presidential primary elections, you must meet specific criteria. Whether you’re a Democrat or Republican, you must meet the below requirements:

• U.S. citizen
• 18 years old
• A resident of Virginia
• Registered to vote

You cannot vote in Virginia if the courts have declared you mentally incompetent. Virginia law also prohibits felons from voting. Once you complete your prison sentence, you can ask election officials to reinstate your voting rights.

What is Virginia’s voter registration deadline?

The registration deadline for primary and general elections is 22 days before the election. The deadline for special elections is between seven and 14 days before the election. The Commonwealth does allow same-day registration on election day.

Newly registered voters will receive a provisional ballot. Once election officials verify the information on their registration application, they will count their votes.

Check with Virginia’s Department of Elections for more details.

Who can request an absentee ballot in Virginia?

You can request an absentee ballot by completing an online form. From there, you can check the status of your absentee ballot on the Citizen Portal.

Military and overseas voters can use write-in absentee ballots. See the military and overseas page for more details about voting while in the military.

You must obtain a witness signature for your mail-in ballot. Read the directions on the application and complete all necessary sections. Voters have several options for returning their ballots. They can do this either in person, by mail, at a drop box, or at a drop-off location. 

Virginia also allows emergency absentee voting due to illness, hospitalization, emergency, or an unexpected obligation. See the Dept. of Election’s Absentee and Early Voting for detailed information.  

What should I bring to the polls in Virginia?

Everyone must present a photo ID before voting in person on election day in Virginia.

Some of the acceptable forms of photo ID include:

• Virginia driver’s license
• Virginia ID card or Veteran’s ID card
• Valid U.S. passport
• Government photo ID card
• Tribal enrollment card or Tribal ID card from one of the eleven tribes the State of Virginia recognizes

Those who cannot provide a valid photo ID must either sign an ID Confirmation Statement or vote via provisional ballot.

Are there special accommodations available to voters in Virginia?

No matter what your disability status is, you have the right to vote. Virginia polling locations must meet accessibility requirements, which include:

• Accessible parking spaces
• Accessible routes for entering the polling location
• Magnifiers for reading ballots
• Notepads and writing utensils for non-verbal communicators

If a disability prevents a voter from visiting a polling location, they may vote by mail, in-person absentee, or curbside voting. Curbside voting provides extra assistance for those unable to enter the building. 

Learn more about accessible voting, including how to request an absentee ballot and prepare for voting on election day.

What if I witness suspicious activity at the polls?

If you witness somebody harassing or impeding a person’s voting rights, report it immediately. You can also file a complaint about voter registration, potential voter fraud, or accessible voting issues.

You can issue a formal complaint with the Department of Elections. If you feel someone has violated your voting rights, talk to a Virginia lawyer for help with voter law issues.