Registration
Virginia registration options include Online, By Mail, and In Person.
State Voting Guide
Virginia Voting Guide
Use this Virginia voting guide to check registration options, voter ID requirements, polling hours, absentee voting, eligibility rules, and official resources.
Last reviewed: August 14, 2026. Generated from structured state voting models and official-source links.
At a Glance
Virginia voting quick facts
Voter ID
Virginia is listed as Non-strict non-photo ID.
Poll Hours
Polling places are generally open 6:00 AM-7:00 PM.
Absentee and Mail Voting
Absentee voting provides a means for qualified voters to participate in upcoming elections even though they may not be able to go to the polls on election day. Absentee voting in person begins at least 45 days before most elections and ends for in-person...
Felony Voting Rights
In Virginia, people with felony convictions may lose voting rights beyond incarceration; restoration can depend on sentence completion, waiting periods, excluded offenses, or additional restoration steps. Restoration depends on action by the governor or...
Voter Lookup
Lookup tools may help with check your voter registration status, check your polling place location, view your sample ballot, and 2 more.
Register
Virginia voter registration options
Virginia voters may register online, by mail, or in person. Registration deadlines may vary by election type or method where noted. Same-day registration may also be available where noted.
Online Available
Use the online tool to access your Virginia voter record to update your registration, apply to vote absentee, and view your polling place, election district, absentee ballot status, and voting history.
- Online registration must be completed 22 days before Election Day.
- Online registration must be completed 22 days before Election Day.
- Online registration must be completed 14 days before Election Day.
- Online registration must be completed 7 days before Election Day.
By Mail Available
Complete an Application for Voter Registration, Mail your completed application to your local registrar. Complete an Application for Voter Registration, Mail your completed application to your local registrar
- Mail registration must meet the state deadline 22 days before Election Day.
- Mail registration must meet the state deadline 22 days before Election Day.
- Mail registration must meet the state deadline 14 days before Election Day.
- Mail registration must meet the state deadline 7 days before Election Day.
In Person Available
Register with your local municipal clerk 22 days before general election Register with your local municipal clerk 22 days before primary election. Special Elections voter registration deadlines are 14 days before election. The deadlines for Special Elections (Called by the Governor) are 7 days before election
- In-person registration must be completed 22 days before Election Day.
- In-person registration must be completed 22 days before Election Day.
- In-person registration must be completed 14 days before Election Day.
- In-person registration must be completed 7 days before Election Day.
same day registration Available
Same Day registration is only available: in-person at the general registrar’s office for your locality, at your satellite early voting site during the early voting period, at your precinct on Election Day. VA Code § 24.2-420.1
- Same-day registration is available through Election Day where permitted.
military overseas Available
Military and other persons residing outside of the United States should contact the Federal Voting Assistance Program for registration information.
national_form
The National Mail Voter Registration Form may also be available where accepted.
registration_status
Consider yourself registered when- and only when- you receive an acknowledgment from your county clerk. Never assume you are registered to vote until you have received this acknowledgment. Call your county clerk and inquire about the status of your application. Check your voter registration status online by visiting this site
Identification
Virginia voter ID laws
Virginia voter ID rule: Non-strict non-photo ID.
Non-strict non-photo ID
Virginia voter ID rule: Non-strict non-photo ID.
Code: Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-643(B)
Accepted forms of ID
- Voter confirmation documents
- Valid United States passport
- Valid Virginia driver's license
- Valid Virginia identification card
- Valid student photo identification card issued by a higher education institution in Virginia or another state
- Identification card issued by: - a government agency, or - a political subdivision of Virginia or the United States
- Employee photo identification card issued by the voter's employer in the ordinary course of business
- Copy of a current utility bill showing the voter's name and address
- Copy of a current bank statement showing the voter's name and address
- Copy of a current government check showing the voter's name and address
If you do not have ID
- Except for certain first-time voters covered by federal HAVA requirements, a voter who does not present identification may still vote a regular ballot after signing a statement under penalty of perjury affirming identity.
- A voter who neither presents identification nor signs the identity statement shall be offered a provisional ballot.
Polling Places
Virginia poll hours
Polling places in Virginia are generally open 6:00 AM-7:00 PM.
6:00 AM-7:00 PM
Virginia Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.
Absentee Voting
Virginia absentee and mail voting
Absentee voting provides a means for qualified voters to participate in upcoming elections even though they may not be able to go to the polls on election day. Absentee voting in person begins at least 45 days before most elections and ends for in-person absentee voters o n the Saturday before the election.
Absentee Voting
Absentee voting provides a means for qualified voters to participate in upcoming elections even though they may not be able to go to the polls on election day. Absentee voting in person begins at least 45 days before most elections and ends for in-person absentee voters o n the Saturday before the election.
Absentee Ballot Request In-Person
Before visiting your local registrar’s office, check your registration status or call your registrar’s office (phone numbers available on Virginia voter registration application). Also review the application to insure you have all of the information necessary to complete the process. If you are not already registered, you will have to wait five days after registration before you can be issued an absentee ballot (exception for military and overseas voters only). If you have a Virginia DMV license or ID card, you can...
- Within 45 days prior to the election in which you wish to vote, visit your local registrar’s office to vote absentee in-person.
- At the registrar’s office, fill out an Absentee Application. You must show an acceptable form of photo ID. To view a complete list of acceptable IDs, please visit our Voting In-Person page.
- After completing the application, you will be allowed to vote absentee in-person using a voting machine in the registrar’s office. Accessible equipment and/or curbside voting is available upon request.
Absentee Ballot Request By Mail, fax or email
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- Download and complete the Absentee Ballot Application form (.pdf).
- Return the completed and signed form to your local registrar’s office by mail, fax or scanned attachment to an email.
- Contact information for your local general registrar’s office is available using our online lookup tool.
- After the registrar processes your application, you will receive your ballot in the mail.
- Carefully review the instructions to complete and return your ballot to your local registrar by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.
- If you have a Virginia DMV license or ID card, you can register online using our OAB application.
- First-time voters who registered by mail may vote absentee by mail only if the reason code is 1A, 2A, 2C, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, or 7A, or the voter is 65 or older and qualifies under another reason
Eligibility
Virginia voter eligibility
Under federal law, if you move within 30 days of a presidential election, you are allowed to vote for President and Vice President in your former state of residence, either in person or by absentee ballot.
Age requirements
Voting age: must turn 18 on or before election day
Registration age: If you are at least 17 and turning 18 before Election Day, you can register to vote and you may participate in the general primary.
To be eligible to register to vote in Virginia a person must:
- Be a resident of Virginia (A person who has come to Virginia for temporary purposes and intends to return to another state is not considered a resident for voting purposes)
- Be a U. S. Citizen
- Be 18 years old (Any person who is 17 years old and will be eighteen years of age at the next general election shall be permitted to register in advance and also vote in any intervening primary or special election)
- Not be registered and plan to vote in another state
- Not currently declared mentally incompetent by a court of law
- If convicted of a felony, your right to vote must have been restored
Voting Rights
Virginia felony conviction voting rights
In Virginia, people with felony convictions may lose voting rights beyond incarceration; restoration can depend on sentence completion, waiting periods, excluded offenses, or additional restoration steps. Restoration depends on action by the governor or another appropriate authority; after a 2023 policy change...
Lost Until Completion of Sentence; Waiting Period or Additional Action Required
In Virginia, people with felony convictions may lose voting rights beyond incarceration; restoration can depend on sentence completion, waiting periods, excluded offenses, or additional restoration steps. Restoration depends on action by the governor or another appropriate authority; after a 2023 policy change, individuals must apply again for rights restoration. In 2024, HB 1330 allowed eligible confined voters to vote absentee.
Citation: Va. Const. Art. II, § 1; Va. Code Ann. § 53.1-231.2
Policy detail
No person who has been convicted of a felony shall be qualified to vote unless his civil rights have been restored by the governor or other appropriate authority (Va. Const. Art. 2, § 1). The Department of Corrections is required to provide persons convicted of felonies with information regarding voting rights restoration and assist with the process established by the governor for the review of applications (Va. Code Ann. § 53.1-231.1 et seq.). Individuals with felony convictions may petition the courts in an...
Recent actions
- 2024 Enacted HB 1330 allowing eligible confined voters to vote absentee.
- 2023 Gov. Youngkin reinstated application requirement for rights restoration.
- 2021 Gov. Northam announced an executive action allowing people released from incarceration to qualify for rights restoration.
- 2016 Gov. McAuliffe issued (later overturned) an executive order restoring voting rights after prison and supervised release completion.
Work and Voting
Virginia time off for voting
No specific law requiring time off to vote.
Time off status: No
No specific law requiring time off to vote.
VA - TIME OFF FOR VOTING.
No specific law requiring time off to vote.
Lookup
Virginia voter information lookup
Check Your Voter Registration Status.
Voter Information Lookup
Use the lookup tool to check your voter registration status, check your polling place location, view your sample ballot, apply to vote absentee, and 1 more.
Moving
Virginia moving and student voting
A college student registers to vote in Virginia the same as any other applicant: every prospective voter must submit a voter registration application. Remember, you must update your voter registration information whenever you change your residence.
Movers and college students Voting
A college student registers to vote in Virginia the same as any other applicant: every prospective voter must submit a voter registration application. Remember, you must update your voter registration information whenever you change your residence.
How do I register to vote in Virginia?
- A college student registers to vote in Virginia the same as any other applicant: every prospective voter must submit a voter registration application. Remember, you must update your voter registration information whenever you change your...
- Every voter in Virginia must submit their residential address when registering to vote (a mailbox cannot serve as a residential address). If you are unable to receive mail at your address, you must also submit a local mailing address. A...
- How do I vote?
- A college student votes in the same manner as any other registered voter: you may vote in person on Election Day or, if eligible, by absentee.
- Students who will be absent from the locality where they are registered to vote because they attend school in another locality are eligible to vote absentee. For example, a student registered to vote in Charlottesville but attending school...
Moving within the Commonwealth
- If you moved your residence from one precinct to another within the Commonwealth, you may vote in the precinct from which you have moved in the following November general election and any intervening election unless your registration has...
- Moving Outside of the Commonwealth
- Persons moving from the state within 30 days of a presidential election are entitled to vote in the precinct in which they were previously registered (immediately prior to moving) for presidential electors only. You must mark your absentee...
Sources
Virginia official voting resources
Questions
Common Virginia questions
Can I register to vote online in Virginia?
Virginia lists online voter registration as available. Use the online tool to access your Virginia voter record to update your registration, apply to vote absentee, and view your polling place, election district, absentee ballot status, and voting history.
What voter ID rule does Virginia use?
Virginia is listed as Non-strict non-photo ID. Review the accepted ID forms and voter-without-ID procedures before voting.
What time do polls open in Virginia?
Polling places in Virginia are generally open 6:00 AM-7:00 PM. Confirm your assigned polling place before Election Day.
Where can I check my Virginia voter registration or polling place?
The Virginia voter lookup section lists tools for check your voter registration status, check your polling place location, view your sample ballot, apply to vote absentee, and 1 more.
Can people with felony convictions vote in Virginia?
In Virginia, people with felony convictions may lose voting rights beyond incarceration; restoration can depend on sentence completion, waiting periods, excluded offenses, or additional restoration steps. Restoration depends on action by the governor or another appropriate...