Absentee and Early Voting in Virginia

Applying to Vote Absentee By Mail

ALL GENERAL REGISTRAR OFFICES OFFER EARLY VOTING. FOR ALL EARLY VOTING AND BALLOT DROPBOX INFORMATION, CONTACT THE GENERAL REGISTRAR'S OFFICE.

If you have submitted an absentee ballot application for a ballot to be sent by mail, you can track your ballot by logging into Ballot Scout.

If you are a voter in Fairfax County and submitted an application to vote absentee, please track your ballot here. 

If you are a voter in Prince William County and submitted an application to vote absentee, please track your ballot here.

Permanent Absentee List

Voters have the option to vote absentee in the next election or to automatically receive an absentee ballot for all future elections. Voters who choose to receive an absentee ballot for all future elections must sign up for the permanent absentee list by applying online or by paper application to join the permanent absentee list.

Voters may utilize Citizen Portal to electronically apply online for the permanent absentee list by following the prompts in the system briefly outlined below:

  • From the Citizen Portal Landing Page, select “Apply to Vote Absentee by Mail” by Mail.
  • Fill out the required information (Name, DOB, last for of SSN, Locality, and attestation.) Click Submit.
  • Click the “I want to apply to vote absentee by mail” check box. Click “Continue”.
  • Provide Identity Information (Driver’s License Number or State ID, Date of Birth, SSN, and check consent boxes). Click “Next”.
  • Indicate your residency status as either a Virginia resident or living overseas. Click “Next”.
  • Indicate whether you are on active duty military or the spouse of someone on active duty. Click “Next”.
  • On the “Would you like to vote absentee by mail?” screen choose the “I would like to join the Virginia permanent absentee voter list. I will receive ballots for all future elections by mail to the address on my Virginia voter registration record. I will only receive ballots for elections in which I am eligible to vote” option, click “Next”.
  • Select your preference for which party’s primary you would like to vote. Click “Next”.
  • Indicate whether you have a disability that requires assistance. If you do not, you can proceed without filling in any of the fields. Click “Next”.
  • Enter your contact information, including phone number and email address. Click “Next”.
  • Review Application. If all information is correct click “Submit”.

If the voter would like to utilize a paper application, they may fill one out at their local general registrar’s office or at home by downloading a paper application and submitting this application to their appropriate general registrar. Instructions for utilizing the form may be found on the paper application in Section 4 and on the second page of the application.

You Can Also Submit Your "Vote By Mail" Application Form By Mail, Fax, Or Email

Returning your voted ballot

  • Carefully review the instructions mailed with your ballot. Complete and return your ballot to your local general registrar's office by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.
  • You may also return your absentee ballot to a drop-off location. For more information on drop off locations in your locality, review the absentee instructions provided in your absentee ballot mailing.
  • If you are returning your ballot by mail, it must be postmarked on or before election day and received by your general registrar's office by noon on the third day following the election (In the event that that day is a holiday, the deadline is moved to the following business day).
  • For federal elections see section titled "**Special Federal ID Requirements for Certain First Time Absentee By Mail Voters."

** Special Federal ID Requirements For Certain First Time Absentee By Mail Voters

For persons who registered to vote in Virginia by mail, federal law requires them to show identification (ID) when voting for the first time in a federal election if they did not send a copy of one of these IDs with their voter registration applications. Recent legislation has eliminated the differences in acceptable identification for in-person voting. Therefore, the special federal ID requirements only apply to certain absentee voters by mail who will be notified by a notice explaining the requirements sent with their absentee ballot. Voters who receive a notice about this special requirements need to include a copy of any of the following types of ID with the voted ballot:

  • A current and valid photo ID (for example a driver’s license);
  • or a current utility bill, bank statement, government check or paycheck that shows name and address;
  • or another government document that shows name and address (for example a voter card). If the voter returns an absentee ballot by mail without a copy of one of these forms of ID, the absentee ballot will be treated as a provisional ballot and counted only if the voter provides a copy of ID to the electoral board by the deadline applicable to all voters.

If the voter returns an absentee ballot by mail without a copy of one of these forms of ID, the absentee ballot will be treated as a provisional ballot and counted only if the voter provides a copy of ID to the electoral board by the deadline applicable to all voters.

Emergency Absentee Voting

(Code of Virginia 24.2-705)

There are two basic types of emergency absentee voting with different procedures for each. You can print a copy of the emergency absentee ballot application using the link here:

1. Emergency Absentee Voting Due to Hospitalization, Illness, or other Emergency

ELIGIBILITY

You may cast an emergency absentee ballot if one of the following situations applies to you:

  • You were unable to apply for an absentee ballot by the deadline due to your hospitalization or illness, or the hospitalization, illness, or death of a spouse, child, or parent, or other emergency found to justify receipt of an emergency absentee ballot; or
  • You will be unable to vote on Election Day due to your hospitalization or illness, the hospitalization, illness or death of a spouse, child, or parent, or other emergency found to justify receipt of an emergency absentee ballot that occurred after the deadline for applying for an absentee ballot.

VOTER REQUIREMENTS

  • You may request to vote emergency absentee at any time prior to 2:00 pm on the day preceding the election
  • If you are approved for an emergency ballot, your general registrar shall provide the absentee ballot to your designated representative for delivery to you
  • You shall mark the ballot in the presence of your designated representative
  • The ballot shall be counted only if the ballot is received by the general registrar prior to the close of polls

2. Emergency Absentee Voting Due to Unexpected Obligation

ELIGIBILITY

  • You may cast an emergency absentee ballot if you are either an officer of election who was assigned after 12:00pm on the Saturday before the election to work in a precinct other than your own; or
  • You had an obligation arise after 12:00 pm on the Saturday before the election due either to; 1) your business, profession, or occupation; 2) the hospitalization of you or a member of your immediate family; or 3) the death of a member of your immediate family.

VOTER REQUIREMENTS

  • You must apply and vote in person by 2:00pm on the day preceding the election.

Early Voting In-Person

You can vote early at your local registrar’s office beginning 45 days before Election Day and ending the Saturday before Election Day. Before visiting your local registrar’s office, you may wish to check your registration status or call your registrar’s office. You can find your registrar’s phone number here. To vote early in-person, do the following:

  • Starting 45 days before Election Day, visit your local registrar’s office or a satellite voting location in your county or city to vote early. Remember, the Saturday before Election Day is the last day to vote early.
  • You do not have to have a reason or fill out an application to vote early.
  • At the registrar’s office or satellite voting location, you must provide your name and address and show an acceptable form of ID or sign an ID Confirmation Statement. To view a complete list of acceptable IDs, please visit our page. If acceptable identification is not provided, you must sign an ID Confirmation Statement or a provisional ballot will be offered and you are allowed until the Friday at noon following the election to provide a copy of acceptable identification to the electoral board or sign
    an ID Confirmation Statement. Provisional voters receive a notice to remind them of the deadline and right to attend the electoral board meeting.
  • Accessible equipment and/or curbside voting is available upon request.
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Article Source
Virginia State Board of Elections
Source URL
https://www.elections.virginia.gov
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