Today is National Voter Registration Day!

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Virginia offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in Virginia by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.
Election day is Tuesday, November 3rd
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 13
Online voter registration
  • Virginia offers online voter registration.
  • You should know: you need a Virginia driver’s license or state ID and a Social Security number to use Virginia’s online voter registration system. If you don’t have a Virginia-issued ID, you can still register by mail to vote.
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 13

Use the Virginia voter registration form

You can also register to vote using the Virginia voter registration form. Be sure to read the instructions carefully and fill it out completely. Send the completed form to your local election official. To register by mail, the form must be postmarked by Tuesday, October 13, 2020.

Use the National Voter Registration Form

  1. Print and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
  2. Box 6 – ID Number: Your full Social Security number is required. Your Social Security number will appear on reports produced only for official use by voter registration and election officials and, for jury selection purposes, by courts. Article II, Sec.2, Constitution of Virginia (1971).
  3. Box 7 – Choice of Party: Virginia does NOT require that you register with a party to participate in partisan primary elections.
  4. Box 8 – Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.
  5. Review the “Who can vote?” section above and check that you’re eligible.
  6. Sign the form.
  7. Send the completed form to your local election official. To register by mail, the form must be postmarked by Tuesday, October 13, 2020.
  8. If you are registering to vote for the first time in your jurisdiction and are mailing this registration application, Federal law requires you to show proof of identification the first time you vote or provide a copy of your ID when you submit your application. Proof of identification includes: A current and valid photo identification or A current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document that shows your name and address. More information here.
In-person: Oct. 13
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 23
Return by Mail: Postmarked by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 7:00 p.m.
Early voting:
Sep. 18 – Oct. 31, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live!
Who can vote:

To register in Virginia you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a resident of Virginia and of the precinct in which you want to vote
  • be 18 years old (any person who is 17 years old and will be 18 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 have been convicted of a felony, or have had your civil rights restored
  • not currently be declared mentally incompetent by a court of law
  • *find more information on voting rights restoration here

Military and overseas voters

Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your election official for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:

  1. Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your election official may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
  2. Send the application to your election official.
  3. It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible. You can look up recommended mailing dates by country and region.
  4. Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it. The following are recommended return dates to make sure your ballot arrives at your election office on time:
    • 35 days before election – On a ship at sea: September 28, 2020
    • 30 days before election – Outside of the US: October 2, 2020
    • 11 days before the election – Stateside: October 23, 2020
  5. States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven’t received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local election office.

If after submitting your FPCA, your ballot does not arrive, contact your election official first. Then:

  • You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign and mail your FWAB to your local election office.
  • If you mail an FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.

The Federal Voting Assistance Program – FVAP.gov offers additional information on military and overseas voting in Virginia. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE or email [email protected]

Check your voter registration status
You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using Virginia’s voter registration lookup tool.
Election contact information for Virginia

Address:
Department of Elections
Washington Building, 1100 Bank Street, First Floor
Richmond, VA 23219

Phone Number:
(804) 864-8901

 

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