Virginia Elections 2023

Already registered?

• Check your registration: You can check to see if you’re registered before the deadline. Either call your local registrar or the Department of Elections at 800-552-9745. You can also check online at https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation
• 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 received by the registration deadline.

Register before or on the registration deadline

• Register online: Virginia residents can register to vote online up to the end of the day on the registration deadline 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 the registration deadline. If your mail application to vote is postmarked or received after the registration deadline, 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 the registration deadline. 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 registration deadline, you can still register to vote in person, but not by mail or online. Registering to vote after the deadline means that you will be able to cast a provisional ballot (see below). 

• Register 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: If you register to vote and vote on Election Day, 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 submitting your ballot. So 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 ballot is not counted, you will receive written notice from your general registrar.

Who can vote early

You can vote early at your local registrar's office beginning 45 days before Election Day and ending the Saturday before Election Day. Accessible equipment and/or curbside voting will be available upon request. Early voting ends at 5:00 PM on Nov. 4, 2023. Find your local registrar 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 will have 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). If you do not have an acceptable form of ID with you when you vote, you may either sign an ID Confirmation Statement or receive a provisional ballot. If you choose a provisional ballot, you will have to 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 for any reason beginning 45 days before Election Day.

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: You can download, complete and print your Virginia Absentee Ballot Application (En Español) (Tiếng Việt) (한 국어) from elections.virginia.gov/registration/voter-forms/. 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 the 11th day before the election. 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

• Get a witness: You must have a witness sign your absentee ballot. If your ballot is missing a witness signature, your local voter registrar will contact you to ask you to correct it. You must correct your ballot in order for it to be counted.
• 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 Election Day. 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. Ballot drop boxes may also be available at your registrar's office. Find your local registrar at https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation/PublicContactLookup.
• Check the status: You can check if your absentee ballot was received at https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation.
• Your vote will be counted as long as your returned ballot is received before noon on the third business day following the election. 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.

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(J)
• 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 they are 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 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 voting machine malfunctions, inform a poll worker and ask them to direct you to a different machine or give you a paper ballot. (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.

• 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 cast a provisional ballot, which may or may not be counted.

• 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.

• 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, you can ask a poll worker for a replacement.

• 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 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 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)

• 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.

• 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 or at least cast a provisional ballot if you sign this form. (Va. Code §24.2-651)

• 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 should I do if I make a mistake on a paper ballot, or the 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 machine malfunctions, inform a poll worker who will direct you to a different machine or give you a paper ballot. (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 voting 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).