Early voting in Virginia: Where, when, and how to vote

Election season is upon us, Virginians! Whether you’re a first-time voter or a seasoned voting vet, voting can still be confusing—but we’ve broken down all you need to know about how to vote in Virginia.

Whether you’re vacationing on Nov. 5, going to college in a different area, or have a planned event that will keep you from the polls on Election Day, early and absentee voting can be a helpful and convenient tool to ensure you vote ahead of time. Early voting can also help you skip the long lines on Election Day, making your experience much more smooth and fast.

Check out our voter guide below to review important dates, instructions for registering to vote (or updating your existing registration!), info for voting early or by mail, and the basics of how to navigate Election Day. There’s even an FAQ section to address everything you always wanted to know about voting but were too afraid to ask. 

Here’s how to vote in Virginia.

THE BASICS

Virginia’s general election is Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

You can vote in the general election even if you skipped the primary. 

MUST-KNOW DATES

Friday, September 20, 2024: First day of early in-person voting

Tuesday, October 15, 2024: Online voter registration deadline

Tuesday, October 15, 2024: By-mail voter registration deadline

Friday, October 25, 2024: Absentee ballot request deadline (online or by mail)

Saturday, November 2: Absentee ballot request deadline (in-person)

Saturday, November 2, 2024: Last day of early in-person voting

Tuesday, November 5, 2024: Absentee ballot return deadline (in-person, 7 p.m.)

Friday, November 8, 2024: Absentee ballot return deadline (by mail, postmarked by 11/5)

REGISTER TO VOTE

Before you can vote, you’ve gotta be registered! 

CHECK REGISTRATION STATUS: 

Visit the Virginia Department of Elections website to look up your registration status. You can search by general info like name, birth date, and Social Security number. Vote.org also offers a 30-second search feature to confirm your registration status if you’re in a hurry. 

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: If you’d like to register in person, visit your local voter registration office and provide a valid form of photo ID from this list. You can find 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, fill it out, 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: You must submit your online voter application at least 22 days before an election. For the general election “22 days before” means Tuesday, October 15, 2024. 
• In-person voter registration deadline: You must return your in-person voter application at least 22 days before an election. For the general election “22 days before” means Tuesday, October 15, 2024.
  
• By-mail voter registration deadline: Your mailed voter application must be postmarked at least 22 days before an election. For the general election “22 days before” means Tuesday, October 15, 2024. 

VOTE

You’re registered! Now it’s time to make a plan to vote. Here are your options:

In-person early voting: Early voting allows voters to vote ahead of time at a polling place, much like they would on Election Day. Voters physically show up to a polling 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.” To find specific early voting locations and times, use this tool. 

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. Find your local office here. You may also return your completed form via email or fax to your local voter registration office. 

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 might also have the option to drop off your ballot in a dropbox or other designated location, which should be listed on your ballot when received. 

Absentee ballots returned by mail must be postmarked on or before Election Day (Tuesday, November 5, 2024) and received by noon the third day following an election. Ballots returned in person must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day (Tuesday, November 5, 2024).

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. 

HOW TO VOTE: 

Get in line and stay in line—even if you’re still in line when the polls technically close. When it’s your turn, a poll worker will ask you to provide a valid Virginia ID before you receive a ballot. If you do not have a valid photo ID, you may still be able to vote by filling out an ID Confirmation Statement or provisional ballot. You will then have until noon the Friday following the election to provide proof of identification to the local electoral board. A poll worker should provide additional information on this process. 

When you’re checked in, a volunteer poll worker will hand you your ballot. Take this ballot into an empty voting booth and completely fill out each bubble with the pen provided, both front and back. You’ll then place your ballot into the provided privacy sleeve and head to the tabulation machine, where you’ll simply slide the ballot (not the sleeve) into a slot or other designated ballot return location. That’s it! 

WHEN TO VOTE:

Polls are open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. 

Again, if you are already in line when polls close, you have the right to vote. Stay in line. 

DISTRICTS AND BALLOTS

While everyone will select from the same presidential and statewide candidates on Election Day, every county’s ballot will also include local candidates. Do your research before arriving at the polls so you feel prepared to confidently cast your vote. Thankfully, ballot previews exist so voters know exactly what to expect when they arrive at the polls. 

To preview a personalized local ballot, visit BallotPedia and enter your information. If available, you can access a sample ballot and carefully review each candidate or proposal well ahead of Election Day.

VOTER RIGHTS, RULES, AND FAQ

I’m a college student. Should I vote in my hometown or register with my college address?

This is a personal decision. You may either register to vote at your school address or remain registered in your home state/county. Just remember that you can only be registered to vote in one location, so be sure to update your voter registration information well in advance of Election Day. If you can’t make it home to vote and choose to remain registered in your hometown, request a mail-in or absentee ballot ahead of the appropriate deadline and return it on time so your vote is counted. 

What if I don’t have a ride to the polls on Election Day?

If you need a ride to the polls on Election Day, be sure to check your public transportation options. Alternatively, there are multiple organizations willing to help. One option is RideShare2Vote, a multi-state organization that connects voters with drivers to coordinate transportation to the polls. Check out their website for details. 

How do I know if my mail-in ballot was received?

You can track your ballot via the Virginia Department of Elections website.  

Can I bring my kid with me into the voting booth? 

Yes. There are no rules against bringing a child into the voting booth with you. Of course, make sure your child is quiet and respectful as others vote. 

Can I take a selfie with my ballot?

Yes. Per a 2016 ruling, ballot selfies are allowed in Virginia—just be sure to only photograph yourself and your own ballot. 

What if I make a mistake on my ballot? Can I have a re-do? 

Yes, so long as you have not yet submitted your ballot. If voting in-person, simply tell the poll worker that you’d like a new ballot. They will “spoil” your first ballot by tearing it up and providing you with a new one. You cannot, however, request a new ballot once you’ve mailed in an absentee ballot or turned in your in-person ballot to be counted. 

Can I wear political gear to the polls?

Wearing buttons, hats, shirts, or other garments advertising your preferred candidates is considered “electioneering,” along with discussing your voting preferences with fellow voters at the polling location. Just don’t do it. 

What if the poll workers say I’m not eligible to vote, but I believe I am?

Ask for a provisional ballot. Per the ACLU, all voters are entitled to a provisional ballot, which will require election officials to look into your voter eligibility status after Election Day and count your ballot if you are indeed qualified. 

What is voter intimidation?

Voter intimidation is prohibited by federal law and involves the attempted interference with a person’s ability to freely vote. Examples include displaying false signage about voter requirements, impersonating a poll worker to spread false information, and aggressively questioning voters regarding their citizen or voting right status. Most states also have laws against political campaigning within a certain distance of a polling location. 

If you believe you’ve experienced voter intimidation, report it to your local election office and call the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (English) or 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (Spanish). You can find more information, including hotline options for additional languages, here.