Here’s how to cast a Virginia ballot on Election Day

Voting in person on Election Day requires a bit of planning—so we’ve rounded up the facts you need to be informed.

So despite our fervent recommendations that you vote early in this year’s elections in Virginia, you’ve waited until Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4 to cast your ballot? Hey, we get it—life can sneak up on you and sometimes procrastination wins out over convenience. 

What’s important is that you vote, even if you wait until the final day when you’re able to do so. Here’s everything you need to know about voting on Election Day. 

Of course, it’s totally fine to place your vote on Election Day. While COVID brought about a large increase in absentee voters, voting on Election Day remains a relatively popular option. More Americans voted in person on Election Day (39.6%) in 2024 than voted early in person (30.7%), according to the Census Bureau. 

Voter Registration

One of the most convenient aspects of voting in person: no need for applications or forms. You will, however, need to be registered.  

You can check your registration status with a brief visit to the Virginia Department of Elections (VDOE) website. The secure online form will request your first and last name, date of birth, last four digits of your social security number, and the county where you live in Virginia.

Vote.org also offers a 30-second search feature to confirm your registration status if you’re in a hurry. 

If you find that you’re not registered to vote, you have until Oct. 24 to get registered in time to vote in this year’s elections. You can do so online at the Virginia Department of Elections website.

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, who can help you get one. 

Where to vote

Voting in person on Election Day requires a bit of planning, but you’ll also probably get one of those fun “I Voted” stickers! 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 at 7 p.m. When it’s your turn, a poll worker will ask you to provide a valid Virginia ID before giving you a ballot. 

If you do not have a valid photo ID, you can still vote by filling out an ID Confirmation Statement or provisional ballot. You will then have until noon the Friday following the election (Nov. 7) 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. on Tuesday, Nov. 4. 

If you are already in line when polls close, you have the right to vote. Stay in line and complete your democratic duty, even if it’s just under the wire.

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