Make a Plan to Vote

Check Your Virginia Voter Registration

• • Before you show up on election day, check your registration to make sure you’re still registered.
  • Deadline to register to vote, or update an existing registration: October 16, 2023 (Voters may register after this date, through Election Day, and vote using a provisional ballot).

Ways to Vote

In Person:

• Early voting for the November 7, 2023, general election begins September 22 with the last day of early voting on November 4. All general registrar offices offer early voting. Check online for other locations, in addition to the general registrar’s office, in your jurisdiction.
• Check the deadlines and hours for your polling location. Polling places are open on Election Day from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Check your state’s COVID-19 Election information before you head to the polls. The information may change daily, so check often.

Vote By Absentee Ballot:

• • To vote by mail in Virginia, request an absentee ballot as soon as possible. Deadline to apply for a ballot to be mailed to you: October 27, 2023. Your request must be received by your local voter registration office by 5:00 p.m.

• • Be sure to complete your absentee ballot well before your state’s deadlines. You can 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. See the instructions included with your absentee mailing.
  • If you are returning your ballot by mail, it must be postmarked on or before November 7 and received by noon on Monday, November 13.

Be vote ready

• Bookmark or print our Know Your Voting Rights information and bring it with you.
• Bring ID. Virginia law requires all voters to provide either an acceptable form of ID or sign an ID Confirmation Statement at the polls when voting in person. Acceptable forms of voter identification include a driver’s license or a U.S. passport.
• If you are in line by 7:00 p.m., you are allowed to cast your ballot.

Stay safe from COVID

• Bring your own black ink pen, or a stylus or similar object for use with touchscreen voting machines.
• Wash your hands before entering and after leaving the polling location.
• Masks. The CDC recommends wearing a mask when indoors in public areas. Some counties might need you to remove your mask for identification purposes.
• Bring hand sanitizer. After you cast your ballot, touching doors, or any other shared surfaces: sanitize.
• Be prepared in case you need to wait. Bringing your own snacks and water!
• Stay 6 feet apart. Just like at the grocery store, don’t shake hands, maintain social distancing.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in lined trash cans.

Track Your Ballot

• One of the last steps in the voting process is making sure your ballot is received.
• Once your ballot has been received, your vote officially counts.