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VOTING IN VIRGINIA

Voter Eligibility - Who Can Vote?​

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.
  • Minimum Age To Vote: must turn 18 on or before election day
  • Minimum Age To Register To Vote: 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

Ways To Register To Vote​

By Mail​

Complete an Application for Voter Registration, Mail your completed application to your local registrar.

In Person​

Register with your local municipal clerk 22 days before general election

Online​

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.

Same Day Voter Registration​

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

How Do I Know I'm Registered?​

  • 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.
  • https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation

Military and Overseas Citizens​

Other ways to register to vote​

Voter Identification​

  • Voter Identification Law Enacted? YES

In order to vote in Virginia, you need valid identification​

  • Virginia law requires you to show one acceptable ID to vote. If you get to your polling place without acceptable ID, you can sign an ID statement affirming your identity, you will be able to vote a regular ballot. If you do not sign an ID statement to affirm your identity you may vote a provisional ballot. You will be provided instructions to ensure your vote will count.

You can show any of the following IDs to vote:​

  • Voter confirmation documents
  • Valid driver’s license
  • Valid United States Passport
  • Virginia DMV-issued photo ID
  • Employer-issued photo ID
  • Student ID issued by any community college or university located in the United States
  • Other U.S. or Virginia government-issued photo ID
  • Tribal enrollment or other tribal photo ID
  • Virginia Voter Photo ID card
  • A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document containing the name and address of the voter

Voter Information Lookup​

  • Voter Information Lookup Tool​

  • Use this tool to:​

    • Check Your Voter Registration Status
    • Check Your Polling Place Location
    • View Your Sample Ballot
    • Apply To Vote Absentee
    • And more