Last update: Nov 02, 2026 03:47 a.m. EST
Last update: Nov 01, 2026 04:11 a.m. EST
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Registration Summary
Virginia offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in Virginia by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.
What are key deadlines for the November 2026 election?
Registration deadlines
- In person during early voting : Sep 18 - Oct 31
- In-person at voting location on Election Day : Nov 3
- Online : Oct 23 by 11:59 p.m. EDT
- By mail (postmarked by) : Oct 23
Absentee ballot deadlines
- Request ballot (received by) : Oct 23 by 5:00 p.m. EDT
- Return ballot by mail (postmarked by) : Nov 3
- Return ballot in person : Nov 3 by 7:00 p.m. EST
How do election officials keep voting secure?
Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.
Visit the Virginia Department of Elections website to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your local election office to learn about opportunities in your area.
Registration Top Actions
Who can register to vote?
To register in Virginia you must:
- be a United States citizen
- be a Virginia resident (if you come to Virginia for temporary purposes and intend to return to another state, you are not considered a resident for voting purposes)
- be 18 years old (if you are 17 years old and will be 18 years old at the next general election, you can register in advance and vote in any intervening primary or special election)
- not be registered and plan to vote in another state
- have had your right to vote restored if you have been convicted of a disqualifying felony. Learn more.
- are not currently declared mentally incompetent by a court of law, or have had your right to vote restored
Can I register to vote online?
- Virginia offers online voter registration.
- To register online in Virginia, you need your full Social Security number and either a Virginia driver’s license or Virginia state ID number. If you don’t have a Virginia-issued ID or Social Security number, you can still register by mail or in person.
Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?
Yes, you can submit your voter registration application by mail using the National Voter Registration Form or the Virginia voter registration form.
Once you confirm that you’re eligible to vote, print your form and fill it out.
To complete the National Voter Registration Form, use these instructions to fill out the following fields:
Box 6 - ID Number:
To submit a voter registration application by mail in Virginia, you must provide your full Social Security number, if you have one. If you have not been issued a Social Security number, indicate this on the form.
Box 7 - Choice of Party: You are NOT required to register with a party to participate in Virginia partisan primary elections.
Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.
If you are registering to vote for the first time in your jurisdiction and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide a COPY of proof of identification with your application OR show acceptable documentation when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the National Voter Registration Form.
- You may be exempt from federal proof of identification requirements if you are entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act or another federal law.
- Depending on your state, you may need to show additional identification when you vote, even if you meet federal identification requirements.
Once you’ve filled out all required fields on the form you selected, sign the completed form and send it to your local election office.
If you plan to return your application through the mail, be sure to mail your voter registration application before the deadline to ensure it's timely postmarked. Keep in mind that USPS might not postmark your mail on the day it's dropped off. You can also request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you.
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
Virginia does offer in person registration on Election Day. If you register after the regular voter registration deadline, you will have to vote a provisional ballot.
Can I submit voter registration forms in person?
- You can complete a voter registration application in person. Contact your local election office for information on when and where to register to vote.
- You can also register to vote and cast a ballot in person on Election Day.
- Learn more by visiting the Virginia Department of Elections's website or contacting your local election office.
Can I register to vote before I turn 18?
You can register to vote in Virginia before you turn 18 if you:
You must be at least 18 years old to vote, except that you may vote in any intervening primary or special election if you are 17 and will be 18 by the next general election.
- are at least 16 years old
- are a United States citizen
- are a resident of Virginia
- are not registered and plan to vote in another state
- are not currently declared mentally incompetent by a court of law, or have had your right to vote restored
- have had your right to vote restored if you have been convicted of a disqualifying felony
You must be at least 18 years old to vote, except that you may vote in any intervening primary or special election if you are 17 and will be 18 by the next general election.
Can I complete a voter registration application in person before I turn 18?
You can complete a voter registration application in person at any of the following public agencies in Virginia:
- local voter registration office
- Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offices
- Virginia Department of Elections office
You can find a list of locations that provide voter registration applications on the Virginia Department of Elections website.
Can I submit a voter registration application online before I turn 18?
Yes, you can register online on the Virginia Department of Elections website.
To register using the Virginia online voter registration system, you are required to provide:
- Virginia driver’s license or state ID number
- full Social Security number
If you don't have a Virginia-issued ID or Social Security number, you can submit a voter registration application by mail or in person.
Can I submit a voter registration application by mail before I turn 18?
Yes, you can register to vote by mail using this form.
When submitting your application by mail in Virginia, you are required to provide your full Social Security number if you have one. If you have not been issued a Social Security number, check the box that indicates you do not have a Social Security number.
How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?
Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your local election office for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
- Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your local election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
- Send the application to your local election office.
- It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
- Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
- States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local election office.
If your ballot does not arrive after you submit your FPCA, contact your local election office first. Then:
- You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local election office.
- If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in Virginia. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov
How can I check my voter registration status?
You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using Virginia's voter registration lookup tool.
Which election office should I contact?
- In Virginia, your local election office runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, and local elections.
- The Department of Elections oversees elections and election administration in Virginia. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.
How do I contact my local election office?
Visit your state’s site to find your local election office.