How to Vote in Virginia’s Elections

• Voter registration: Most U.S. citizens who live in Virginia and are at least 18 years old can register to vote online, by mail or in person. 
  
• Absentee voting: All registered voters can vote absentee by mail 
  
• Early in-person voting: All registered voters can vote early and in person at their local registrar’s office or nearby satellite location
  
• Voting at the polls: Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters must show an acceptable form of identification.

The Virginia governor and all 100 seats in Virginia’s House of Delegates are up for election in 2025, among other offices. The primaries will be held Tuesday, June 17, and the general election is on Tuesday, November 4. Below are some key dates for the upcoming primaries.

• Tuesday, May 27: Deadline to register to vote (voters may register and vote in person using a provisional ballot after this deadline through Election Day) 

• Friday, May 2 through Saturday, June 14: Early voting is available 
• Tuesday, June 17: Primary Election Day. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Friday, June 6: Deadline to apply for a by-mail absentee ballot 
• Tuesday, June 17: Deadline to submit absentee ballot

• A new law going into effect July 2025 will change the voter registration deadline from 22 days before a primary and general election to 11 days before, and from 14 days before a special election to 11 days before. Also, if Virginia’s online voter registration system fails prior to the registration deadline, the governor has the authority to order that the system remain open for a period of time equal to the amount of time during which the system was unavailable. During this extension period, people can also register in person and by mail.

• Online: Use the elections department’s Citizen Portal. You’ll need a Virginia driver’s license or state ID card, your Social Security number and your date of birth.

• By mail: Download and complete a registration application, then mail it to your 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 other locations.

• In person: Fill out and submit an application at your registrar's office.

The deadline to register to vote is 22 days before a primary or general election, 14 days before a special election and 7 days before a special election called by the governor. If you miss the deadline, you still can participate in same-day registration through Election Day.

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 through Election Day.

Bring an acceptable form of ID, such as a current or expired Virginia driver’s license or valid U.S. passport.

Virginia does not offer voter registration by political party, so you can choose which party’s ballot you want to vote for each primary election. You can vote in only one party’s primary.

Check your registration status using the Virginia Department of Elections Citizen Portal.

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

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

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

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

Applications must be received by your local voter registration office by 5 p.m. on the eleventh day before an election. You may apply for an emergency absentee ballot if hospitalization, illness or the death of an immediate family member caused you to miss the absentee application deadline or keeps you from voting at the polls.Military and overseas voters have different absentee deadlines and instructions.

• By mail: Mail your completed ballot to your local registrar’s office in the preaddressed, postage-paid envelope provided. Your ballot must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by noon on the third day following the election (unless that is a holiday, in which case the deadline is moved to the following business day).

• In person: Hand-deliver your ballot to your 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 other ballot drop-off locations.

Track your ballot by entering your information into Ballot Scout or, if you live in Fairfax County, BallotTrax. Voters in Prince William County also can track their ballot using BallotTrax.

Any voter can vote early and in person starting 45 days before Election Day through to the Saturday before Election Day. Early in-person voting is available at your registrar’s office or at nearby satellite locations, if offered by your locality.

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can cast a ballot after polls close if you were in line before 7 p.m. Find your polling place via the Citizen Portal or by contacting your registrar’s office.

You’ll need an acceptable form of ID — like a current or expired Virginia driver’s license or U.S. 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 receive instructions on how to make sure your vote is counted.

Polling places in Virginia offer accessible parking spaces, accessible voter booths and other accommodations to those who need assistance. If you are 65 or older or have a disability, you can participate in curbside voting and cast your ballot from your vehicle.


Editor’s note: This guide was originally published on Jan. 3, 2024. It has been updated with new information. 

Elissa Chudwin covers federal and state policy and writes the podcast Today’s Tips from AARP. She previously worked as a digital producer for The Press Democrat in Santa Rosa, California, and as an editor for Advocate magazines in Dallas.

Emily Paulin is a reporter for AARP covering nursing homes, health care, and federal and state policy. Her work has also appeared in Broadsheet, an Australian lifestyle publication.

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