Voting in Virginia is straightforward once you know the steps. Your journey begins with making sure you are registered to vote — and that your registration is up to date with your current name and address.
Register
You can register or update online through the Virginia Citizen Portal, or at many government offices, including the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when you apply for or renew a driver’s license.
Cast Your Ballot
Next, you decide how you want to cast your ballot:
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In person on Election Day at your assigned polling place.
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Early in person voting, which begins weeks before Election Day at designated locations in your locality.
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Voting by mail, by requesting an absentee ballot.
If you choose to vote by mail, Virginia provides tools to help you track your ballot from the time it is mailed to the time it is received by election officials.
Special Provisions
There are also special provisions for certain voters:
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Students may have unique residency considerations, depending on whether they use a home or school address.
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Voters with disabilities can request assistance and accessible voting equipment at all polling places.
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Military and overseas citizens have specific options to vote securely from abroad.
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Provisional ballots are available if there’s any question about your eligibility (for example, if your name does not appear on the rolls, or you do not have an acceptable ID). Provisional ballots are reviewed and counted once eligibility is confirmed.
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Restoration of rights for people with felony convictions: In Virginia, individuals with a felony record cannot vote unless their civil rights have been restored by the Governor. Those affected should begin the rights restoration process before attempting to register.
Every voter is entitled to cast a ballot free from intimidation or harassment. If you are ever challenged or threatened at the polls, know that Virginia law protects your right to vote and local election officials are there to help.
Voting Reminders
It’s also important to know that Virginia does not send automatic reminders about elections. You won’t get a notice from the State or your local registrar reminding you to vote — unless you are on the permanent absentee list (in which case you will receive your ballot by mail each election). That’s why tools like Remind Me to Vote and VOTE411.org are especially valuable: they keep you informed and on track.
By following these steps, you can be confident that your vote will be counted — and your voice will be heard.