Whether you’re freshly 18, a new US citizen, or simply registered to vote for the first time in Virginia, it’s important to know what you need and what to do before you get in line.
First, you’ll want to ensure that you’re registered to vote. You can either use our tool, or visit the Virginia Department of Elections website to look up your registration status. You’ll be asked to enter general info like name, birth date, Social Security number, and county. Vote.org also offers a 30-second search feature to confirm your registration status if you’re in a hurry.
According to the Virginia Department of Elections website, voter registration requirements state that the person must:
- Be a resident of Virginia (a person who has come to Virginia for temporary purposes and intends to return to another state is not considered a resident for voting purposes).
- Be a US Citizen.
- Be 18 years old (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).
- Not be registered and plan to vote in another state.
- Not currently declared mentally incompetent by a court of law.
- If convicted of a felony, be convicted of an offense that is not a felony recognized at common law in 1870.
- If convicted of a felony recognized at common law in 1870, you must have your right to vote restored.
HOW AND WHERE TO REGISTER:
Not yet registered or need to update your existing registration? You’ve got time, but make sure to review the detailed deadline info below.
- Online with ID: If you have a valid Virginia driver’s license or state ID, you can register online via the Virginia Department of Elections website.
- In-person: Register to vote in-person by finding your local office using this tool. Voter registration forms may also be available at some public libraries, Virginia DMV offices, and government offices throughout the state. You can also download the registration form and return it in person.
- By mail: To register by mail, print the voter registration form from the Virginia Department of Elections and mail it to your local voter registrar by the deadline listed below. Find your local office here.
- Election Day registration: Virginia residents may register to vote on Election Day with a provisional ballot. To do so, visit your local polling place during open hours on Election Day and speak to a poll worker. Find your local polling place here.
WHEN TO REGISTER:
- Online voter registration deadline: Friday, Oct. 23, 2026.
- In-person voter registration deadline: Friday, Oct 23, 2026.
- By-mail voter registration deadline: Friday, Oct. 23, 2026.
Next, it’s time to head to the polls—or to your mailbox. Virginia voters have several options when it comes to submitting their ballot.
IN-PERSON EARLY VOTING:
Early voting allows Virginians to beat the lines and vote ahead of time at a polling place, much like they would on Election Day. Voters physically show up to their local registrar’s office or designated satellite voting site and complete their ballots in person.
Per the Virginia Department of Elections website, “You can vote early at your local registrar’s office beginning 45 days before Election Day and ending the Saturday before Election Day.”
This year, in-person early voting takes place between Friday, Sept. 18 and Saturday, Oct. 31, but only on certain days. Voters are only allowed to vote early in the jurisdiction in which they are registered. If a voter missed the Oct. 23 voter registration deadline, that’s okay—Virginia offers same-day voter registration, too.
All counties and localities offer early voting at their respective registrar’s office, though some offer a slate of early voting locations. To find specific early voting locations and times in your county, use this tool.
When you arrive at your early voting location, you’ll be asked to provide your name and address and show an acceptable form of ID. A list of acceptable IDs can be found here.
If you arrive without an acceptable ID, you can sign an ID statement affirming your identity before filling out a regular ballot. If you do not sign an ID statement, you’ll be allowed to vote using a provisional ballot and will have until noon on Friday, Nov. 6, to provide a copy of acceptable identification to the electoral board or sign an ID Confirmation Statement.
VOTING ABSENTEE/BY MAIL:
All registered Virginia voters have the right to vote by mail—you don’t have to provide a reason or prove that you’ll be out of town. Simply preferring to vote by mail is reason enough.
You can either sign up for the Permanent Absentee List to receive absentee ballots for all future elections or indicate that you’d like a one-time mail-in ballot.
How to register to vote absentee/by mail:
- Online: Apply online at this link. Be sure to indicate whether you’d like to join the Permanent Absentee List or to request a one-time absentee ballot.
- In-person or by mail: Print and complete this paper application form. Return your printed form to the local voter registration office via mail or in person by Oct. 23. Find your local office here. You may also return your completed form via email or fax to your local voter registration office; simply contact your local office for instructions on proper email addresses and fax numbers.
When you’ve received your ballot, follow the instructions carefully. You can return your completed ballot to your local voter registration office by mail or in person. You may also have the option to drop off your ballot in a dropbox or other designated location, which should be listed on your ballot when you receive it.
Absentee ballots returned by mail must be postmarked on or before Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 3) and received by noon on Friday, Nov. 6. Ballots returned in person must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
ELECTION DAY VOTING:
Voting in person on Election Day requires a bit of planning, but you’ll also probably get a nifty “I Voted” sticker! To vote in person, double check your polling location by visiting the Virginia Department of Elections website. Your location might be a local church, school, or other community building close to your registered address.
Polls are open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. If you are already in line when polls close, you have the right to vote. Stay in line.
MUST-KNOW DATES:
Friday, Sept. 18, 2026: First day of early in-person voting
Friday, Oct. 23, 2026: Online voter registration deadline
Friday, Oct. 23, 2026: By-mail voter registration deadline
Friday, Oct. 23, 2026: Absentee ballot request deadline (online or by mail)
Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026: Absentee ballot request deadline (in-person)
Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026: Last day of early in-person voting
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026: Absentee ballot return deadline (in-person, 7 p.m.)
Friday, Nov. 6, 2026: Absentee ballot return deadline (by mail, postmarked by 11/3)
This story has been edited and updated for the 2026 election season by Amie Knowles.
