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Adams Run, SC
Change City

How to Vote in Virginia's 2024 Elections

Posted on 10/30/24 by Elissa Chudwin

En español

Important dates and election information

  • Deadline to register: Tuesday, Oct. 15
  • Deadline to apply for an absentee ballot: Friday, Oct. 25, at 5 p.m.
  • First day of early voting: Friday, Sept. 20
  • Last day of early voting: Saturday, Nov. 2
  • General election: Tuesday, Nov. 5
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Voting at a glance

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

Recent voting changes in Virginia

  • Roughly 1,600 Virginians alleged to be non-citizens have had their voter registrations canceled or marked as inactive since August, due to an executive order issued by Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Check your voter registration at the Virginia Department of Elections Citizen Portal or with your local registrar's office. If you believe you have been incorrectly unregistered, you can still participate in the general election through Virginia’s same-day registration process and cast a provisional ballot at your local registrar’s office, an early voting site or at your polling place through Election Day.
  • Witness signatures are no longer required on absentee ballots under a 2023 law. 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.

  • A 2024 law requires that voters are notified of any changes to their polling place within 30 days of an election. Previously, the law only required 15 days. If a polling place changes, a notice must be posted at the previous location.

How to register to vote

Register online, by mail or in person.

  • In person: Fill out and submit an application at your registrar's office.
Election 2022 Voting Begins
"I Voted" stickers at an early voting location in Alexandria, Virginia.
Andrew Harnik/AP Photo

The deadline to register for the general election is Tuesday, Oct. 15 — by 5 p.m. if in person or by 11:59 p.m. if online. Mailed applications must be postmarked by that date.

If you miss the October deadline, you still can participate in same-day registration through Election Day.

How to participate in same-day registration

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.

Check your voter registration status

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

How to request an absentee ballot

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

Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25.

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.

Returning an absentee ballot

Return your absentee ballot by mail or in person:

  • By mail: Mail your completed ballot to your local registrar’s office in the preaddressed, postage-paid envelope provided. Your ballot must be postmarked by Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 5) and received no later than noon on Friday, Nov. 8.
  • 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.

Voting in person before Election Day

You can vote early and in person from Friday, Sept. 20, through Saturday, Nov. 2, at your registrar’s office or at a nearby satellite polling location.

Voting at the polls on Election Day

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.

Voter ID requirements on Election Day

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.

Voting with a disability

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, and was updated on Oct. 30, 2024, 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.

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