Virginia Elections 2024

Already registered?

• Check your registration: You can check your registration online at https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation or you can call your local registrar or the Department of Elections at (800) 552-9745.
• Change of address: If you have moved since the last election, you should change your address online at elections.virginia.gov/registration/view-your-info or send a letter with your new address to your local registrar that is postmarked by October 15, 2024. Even after October 15, you can still make changes to your registration and vote in the November 2024 election. But if you do, you will have to cast a provisional ballot (see "Same-Day Registration" below).

Register before or on October 15, 2024

• Register online: Virginia residents can register to vote online up to the end of the day on October 15 at https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/Registration/DmvLookup.
• Register by mail: Virginia residents can mail their Voter Registration Application via the U.S. Postal Service. Applications must be postmarked no later than October 15. If your mail application to vote is postmarked after October 15, it will be held and processed after the election. Download, complete and print your application (En Español) (Tiếng Việt) (한 국어) from elections.virginia.gov/registration/voter-forms/ 
• Register in person: Virginia residents can hand deliver their Voter Registration Application to any official registration office by the time it closes on October 15. All general registrar offices close at 5:00 pm and can be found at https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation/PublicContactLookup. Another person can deliver your Voter Registration Application for you, too. Print and complete your application (En Español) (Tiếng Việt) (한 국어) from elections.virginia.gov/registration/voter-forms/ 

Same-day registration

If you miss the October 15 registration deadline, you can still register in person, but you can't register by mail or online. Registering to vote after the deadline means that you will need to cast a provisional ballot (see below). 

• Register after October 15 but before Election Day: You can register to vote in person at the registrar's office or your polling place after the registration deadline until early voting ends. You can find your local registrar at https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation/PublicContactLookup.
• Register on Election Day: You can register to vote in person at your polling place on Election Day.
• Provisional ballot: You can register to vote after October 15, including at the same time that you vote on Election Day, but your vote will not be scanned by a vote-counting machine right away like a regular ballot. This gives election officials time to verify your registration before counting your ballot. As long as a review of your registration shows that you are eligible to vote, your vote will still count on the provisional ballot. If your provisional ballot is not counted, you will receive written notice from your general registrar.

Who can vote early

Any registered voter in Virginia can vote early in person at their local registrar's office. Early in-person voting begins September 20, 2024 and ends the Saturday, November 2 at 5:00 PM. Accessible equipment and/or curbside voting will be available upon request. Find your local registrar's office at https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation/PublicContactLookup.

What you need

• You do not need an excuse or have to fill out an application to vote early.
• You must be registered to vote in Virginia. Check your registration status here: https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation.
• You will be asked to provide your name, address, and an acceptable form of ID (see "Virginia's Voter ID Law" below or the Virginia Department of Elections voter identification list here). Even if you do not have an acceptable form of ID with you when you vote, you can still vote using a regular ballot if you sign an ID Confirmation Statement. If you do not have an ID and do not sign an ID Confirmation Statement you can only vote with a provisional ballot. If you choose a provisional ballot, your vote will not be counted unless you later provide a copy of acceptable ID to the electoral board, or sign an ID Confirmation Statement.

Who can vote absentee

• Any registered voter can vote absentee by mail for any reason. The deadline to apply for a ballot to be mailed to you is October 25, 2024 at 5:00 PM.

Request your absentee ballot

• Apply online: You can apply for an absentee ballot online by visiting the citizen portal at https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation. 
• Apply by mail or in person: Download, complete and print your Virginia Absentee Ballot Application (En Español) (Tiếng Việt) (한 국어). You can mail your completed application by email or U.S. Postal Service or hand deliver it to your local registrar's office. It must be received by 5:00 p.m. on October 25, 2024. Find your local registrar at https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation/PublicContactLookup.
• Check the status: You can check the status of your application and whether your absentee ballot has been sent to you at https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation.

Return your absentee ballot

• Fill it out: Once you receive an absentee ballot, fill it out completely and accurately. For example, if you fill in an address that is different than your voter registration address, your ballot will not count. 
• Return it: Once your absentee ballot is complete, mail it to your local registrar. It must be postmarked on or before November 5 and received by noon on November 8, 2024. You can also choose to hand-deliver your absentee ballot to your local registrar’s office any time before the polls close at 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, November 5, 2024. Ballot drop boxes may also be available at your registrar's office. For importation about ballot drop boxes, contact your local registrar: https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation/PublicContactLookup.
• Check the status: You can track your absentee ballot using Virginia's online system at this link: https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation. Your vote will be counted as long as your returned ballot is postmarked on or before November 5 and received by your local registrar before noon on Friday, November 8, 2024. You may also drop off your absentee ballot in person at your local registrar's office before 7:00 PM on November 5. Voters are encouraged to get their absentee applications and completed ballots in as early as possible.

Where to go

• Check if your polling location is open or if there is an alternative location by visiting  https://www.elections.virginia.gov/citizen-portal/. Polls will open at each polling place in Virginia at 6:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, November 5, 2024.

Know your rights

• If you are in line by 7:00 p.m. when the polls close, you have the right to vote. (Va. Code §24.2-603)
• You can wear campaign apparel when going to vote. Poll workers cannot prevent you from wearing campaign apparel. (Va. Code §24.2-604(D))
• If your name isn’t on the poll book at your voting location as a registered voter, ask the poll worker to contact the local registrar. If the registrar can verify that you are registered, then they must allow you to vote after signing a statement. If the registrar is not available or they can’t find your name, ask for a provisional ballot. You have the right to cast a provisional ballot even if your name is not on the voter list. However, know that your ballot may not be counted if the Board of Elections finds no record of your registration in the precinct where you cast your vote. (Va. Code §24.2-652-653) If you believe that you may not be properly registered, you also have the right to register at the same time that you vote on Election Day, using a provisional ballot. (See "Same-Day Registration" above).
• If someone challenges your eligibility to vote, ask for and fill out an Affirmation of Eligibility form. As long as you sign the form, you have the right to vote or at least cast a provisional ballot. (Va. Code §24.2-651)
• If you need help using the voting equipment, ask a poll worker for help. Poll workers are required to assist you any time you ask. You can ask for help after entering the voting booth, but you must be allowed to vote privately once you receive help. (Va. Code §24.2-647)
• If you make a mistake on a paper ballot, do not cast your ballot. Ask for a replacement ballot. You have the right to as many replacement ballots as you need (Va. Code §24.2-645).
• If a ballot-counting machine malfunctions, inform a poll worker and ask them to direct you to a different machine. (Va. Code §24.2-642, §24.2-646.1)

The democractic process relies on real people, including volunteers. Defend democracy and make a difference in your community by volunteering to be a poll worker.

Who can be a poll worker

To be a poll worker, also known as an "officer of election," you must be a:

• Citizen of the United States
• Registered Virginia voter

What do poll workers do

• Each polling place determines what its volunteers do, but some common jobs include:
• Greet voters and direct them to the check-in area
• Check in voters against the pollbook to make sure they're registered and mark them as having voted
• Instruct voters about necessary forms of ID, sample ballots, and other parts of the voting process
• Assist voters who ask for help understanding the ballot or using voting machines 

How to sign up to be a poll worker

To become an "officer of election," visit elections.virginia.gov/officer-of-elections and fill out an application.

Other ways to help

The Virginia Civic Engagement Table is coordinating election protection and looking for volunteers. Learn more and sign up here: https://www.protectthevoteva.org/learn-more. 

• I have requested my absentee ballot to vote by mail but it never arrived. What are my options? You are entitled to a replacement ballot if you provide a sworn statement to your local registrar before Election Day. If you wait until Election Day, you may have to cast a provisional ballot, which may or may not be counted.

• I accidentally damaged my ballot and made it unfit for voting. What are my options? You can get a replacement ballot. If you are voting absentee, you can return the damaged ballot to your local registrar’s office before Election Day, or vote in person instead if you return the damaged absentee ballot to your local registrar’s office or your polling place on or before Election Day. If you're voting in person and you damaged your ballot, do not attempt to cast the damaged ballot. Ask a poll worker for a replacement instead.

• If I’m in line when the polls close, can I still vote? Yes! You have the right to vote if you are in line by 7:00 p.m. when the polls close.

• What if I need language assistance? You have the right to bring someone who can translate the ballot and help you communicate with poll workers. (Va. Code §24.2-649 (C))

• Can I wear campaign apparel when going to vote? Yes! You are allowed to wear apparel, including shirts, hats, buttons or stickers that contain a candidate’s name or a political slogan when you go to the polls to vote. (Va. Code §24.2-604(J))

• What if I believe I am registered but a poll worker says I am not? Ask the poll worker to contact the local registrar. If the registrar is unavailable or cannot find your name, ask for a provisional ballot. You have the right to cast a provisional ballot even if your name is not on the voter list. However, know that your ballot may not be counted if the Board of Elections finds no record of your registration. (Va. Code §24.2-652-653). If you believe you may not be properly registered after all, you can still register to vote at the same time you vote on Election Day and cast a provisional ballot (see "Same-Day Registration" above).

• What if I've moved since the last election? You should change your address online at elections.virginia.gov/registration/view-your-info, or send a letter to your local registrar before the election registration deadline. 

• What if someone challenges my eligibility to vote even though I am on the list of registered voters? Ask for the Affirmation of Eligibility form. You have the right to vote using a regular ballot if you sign this form (Va. Code §24.2-651). The only exception is that if the rolls show that you have already voted once, you will be required to vote using a provisional ballot. (Va. Code §24.2-651.1)

• What if I need instructions on how to use the voting equipment? Ask a poll worker for help. Poll workers are required to assist you any time you ask. You can request help after entering the voting booth but should be allowed to vote privately after receiving help. (Va. Code §24.2-647)

• What should I do if I make a mistake on a paper ballot, or the ballot-counting machine malfunctions? Do not cast your ballot. Ask for a replacement ballot immediately. You have a right to as many replacement ballots as you need. (Va. Code §24.2-645). If your ballot-counting machine malfunctions, inform a poll worker who will direct you to a different machine. (Va. Code §24.2-642, §24.2-646.1)

• What if I need help in the voting booth because of a physical disability or I have trouble reading or writing? Ask a poll worker for a Request for Assistance form. You have the right to have a poll worker, friend or relative help you in the voting booth if you sign this form. (Va. Code §24.2-649 (B)). If you think it will be difficult to vote inside the polling place, you have the right to vote curbside. On Election Day, you can send someone into the polling place to request curbside voting on your behalf. Poll workers will bring a ballot or ballot-counting machine outside so you can vote. (Va. Code §24.2-649 (A))

• Can you take a selfie with your ballot? Yes: so long as the use of the electronic device that you use to take it does not hinder, delay, or disrupt the voting process, you can take a selfie with your ballot (1 Va. Admin Code 20-60-30). 

• I have requested and received my absentee ballot to vote by mail, but now I want to vote in person. What are my options? You may vote in person if you return your unopened ballot to your local registrar's office, to a satellite voting location, or to your polling place on or before Election Day.

• How do I make a complaint? Ask for an officer of election at your polling place. The officer can handle most routine complaints. Candidates, political parties, and nonprofit groups may also have poll watchers at your polling place who may be able to assist you. You can also call the Virginia Department of Elections (800-552-9745). You can file a complaint online at elections.virginia.gov/voter-complaints.