The dos and don’ts of voting by mail in 2024

With a contentious election shaping up, we want to help you stay informed and up-to-date with accurate information. Here’s what to do and avoid doing when voting by mail this year.

Are you planning to vote by mail this year? Whether you’ll be out of town on Election Day, experience mobility or transportation challenges, or simply don’t want to venture to your polling precinct, submitting your vote through the mail is a great option. 

With a contentious election shaping up, we want to help you stay informed and up-to-date with accurate information. Here are the dos and don’ts of voting by mail in 2024.

Do:

• Register to vote or check your registration status. Did you recently move to Virginia, or are you unsure you updated your registration when you changed addresses? You can register to vote online by clicking here. You can also check your registration status and/or update your address right here. If you’d rather print a voter registration application to fill out by hand, that’s available here.

• Apply to vote by mail, fax, or email. There are several options when it comes to filling out the mail-in ballot application. You can apply to vote absentee online by clicking here. If you prefer paper and pen, this is the form you’ll need to print. While you can’t send your actual ballot back to the registrar through fax or email, you can send a completed and signed absentee ballot application using those methods. If you’re sending via email, simply attach a scanned copy of the application.

• Track your ballot. If you’ve requested a ballot by mail, you can keep track of that package by logging into Ballot Scout.

• Know where to send or take your completed ballot. If you’re planning to mail your ballot, be sure to address the envelope to the right place—for Virginia voters, that’ll be your local registrar’s office, and you can access that information here. Voters may also submit their ballot at the local general registrar’s office during voting hours on Election Day (6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5), or at designated drop-off locations listed on the ballot.
• Keep track of key dates. Voter registration ends on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Virginians may still register after that date and through Election Day, but will vote using a provisional ballot. Early voting is available from Friday, Sept. 20 to Saturday, Nov. 2. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Friday, Oct. 25, at 5 p.m., and in-person early absentee voting ends on Saturday, Nov. 2. Absentee ballots must be either postmarked by or received on Tuesday, Nov. 5 during regular voting hours.

• Be aware of your options if you’re not currently in Virginia. If you’re in the military or are overseas, there are opportunities for you to vote in the 2024 Virginia election. Click here to familiarize yourself with options and deadlines to keep in mind ahead of Election Day.

Don’t:

• Wait until the last minute to request, complete, or mail your ballot. It’s life; things happen. In Virginia, ballots postmarked before or on Election Day are valid, but must reach their final destination no later than noon on Friday, Nov. 8. To ensure your ballot arrives on time, try to send with a little wiggle room around the dates.
• Rush your decision. Voting for leaders takes careful consideration. In addition to posting news on our website, you’ll find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, highlighting the values of the candidates—both those who help Virginia and those who don’t.
• Be afraid to ask questions. Whether you’re voting by mail for the first time or you’re a seasoned absentee voter, it’s important to ask questions as they arise. You can find your local registrar’s office through this link. We’re also happy to help with election-related questions when and where we can through email at [email protected].

Voting by mail is a safe and secure practice. To learn more about voting in Virginia, visit the Virginia Department of Elections website.