How to Vote in Virginia's 2023 Elections

En español | There are multiple ways to cast your ballot in Virginia, including absentee by mail. The state also allows same-day registration through Election Day.

The general election on Tuesday, Nov. 7, will decide races for every seat in the Virginia General Assembly. A primary was held on Tuesday, June 20.

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• Absentee voting: All registered voters can vote absentee by mail. But you’ll need to apply to do so.

• Early in-person voting: Cast your ballot early and in person starting Friday, Sept. 22, for the general election.

• Voting at the polls: You’ll need to show identification, such as a Virginia driver’s license, or sign an ID confirmation statement to vote at the polls. 

The Nov. 7 general election will decide races for every seat in the Virginia General Assembly and will be the first election since redistricting occurred. All state House and Senate boundaries have changed, and all districts have been renumbered. To find your district number, polling place and other voting information, go to the elections department website.

Under a law that took effect July 1, 2023, witness signatures are no longer required on absentee ballots. Instead registered voters must include the last four digits of their Social Security number and their birth year. You may use your voter ID number if you do not have a Social Security number.


Virginia also is offering same-day registration under a law that took effect during the 2022 midterms.

Register online, by mail or in person:

• Online: Use the elections department's citizen portal. You’ll need a Virginia driver’s license or state ID and your Social Security number.

• By mail: Download and complete a registration form, then mail it to your local registrar’s office. Or call your registrar’s office to request a form. You can also pick up a registration form at public libraries, Department of Motor Vehicles sites, armed forces recruitment offices or some other locations.

• In person: Fill out a registration form at your registrar's office.
  

The registration deadline is Monday, Oct. 16, for the general election. Once the regular registration deadline has passed, you still can sign up at an early voting site, at your registrar’s office or at your polling place to cast a provisional ballot. Bring a valid form of ID, such as a Virginia driver’s license or U.S. passport. Same-day registration is only offered in person.

Any registered voter can apply for an absentee-by-mail ballot without a reason.

• Online: Use the elections department’s citizen portal, or email or fax a completed application form to your registrar’s office.

• By mail: Download and complete an application form, then mail it to your registrar’s office. You can also call your registrar’s office to request a form.

• In person: Complete and return an application to your registrar’s office. 
  

Your application must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27, for the general election.

You may apply for an emergency absentee ballot if hospitalization, illness or the death of a parent, child or spouse caused you to miss the absentee application deadline or keeps you from voting at the polls. Go to the elections department website for more information.

You are no longer required to provide a witness signature, but you do need to provide the last four digits of your Social Security number and birth year. Return your absentee ballot by mail or in person: 

• By mail: Mail your preaddressed ballot to your local board of elections. Prepaid postage is provided. Your ballot must be postmarked by Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 7) and received no later than noon three days after an election. For the general election, that’s Monday, Nov. 13.

• In person: Hand-deliver your ballot to your local registrar’s office or any polling place within your county or city before 7 p.m. on Election Day. Other ballot drop-off locations may be available in your county or city. Check with your registrar for details.

Track your ballot by entering your information into Ballot Scout or, if you live in Fairfax County, BallotTrax. 

Vote early at your local registrar's office or at a nearby satellite polling location. Early voting runs from Friday, Sept. 22, through Saturday, Nov. 4, for the general election.

Polling information will become available on the elections department website closer to the general election. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can cast a ballot after 7 p.m. if you were in line before the polls closed.

You’ll either need an acceptable form of identification — like a Virginia driver’s license or military ID — or you’ll need to sign an ID confirmation statement. If you don’t sign the statement, you’ll receive a provisional ballot and will have until the Friday after an election to fax, email, mail or deliver an acceptable form of ID to election officials for your vote to count. 

 
Editor’s note: This guide, first published on July 15, 2020, was updated on Aug. 30, 2023, with more information about voting in Virginia’s upcoming elections.

• Follow AARP's political coverage at aarp.org/elections   
• Keep up with local events and AARP advocacy efforts at aarp.org/va