How to Vote in Virginia's 2024 Elections

Posted on 03/06/24 by Elissa Chudwin

En español

Important dates and election information

Key dates

  • Presidential primary: Tuesday, March 5
  • State primary: Tuesday, June 18
  • General election: Tuesday, Nov. 5

Voting at a glance

  • Absentee voting: All registered voters can vote absentee by mail, but you’ll need to apply to do so.
  • Early in-person voting: You can vote early and in person at your local registrar’s office or other satellite location.
  • Voting at the polls: Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. You’ll need to show an acceptable form of identification, such as a Virginia driver’s license, or sign an ID confirmation statement at the polls.

Voting in Virginia

What to know about recent changes

Witness signatures are no longer required on absentee ballots under a law that took effect in 2023. 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.

Voter registration

Register online, by mail or in person.

  • Online: Use the elections department’s citizen portal. You’ll need a Virginia driver’s license or state identification card number, your Social Security number and your date of birth. Register online by Tuesday, May 28, for the state primary.

Same-day registration

Once the regular registration deadline has passed, you still can sign up and cast a provisional ballot at an early voting site or your registrar’s office during the early voting period, or at your polling place on Election Day.

Bring a valid form of ID, such as a current or expired Virginia driver’s license or a valid U.S. passport. Same-day registration is only offered in person.

Primary voting and party affiliation

You can choose which party’s primary you want to vote in, regardless of your political affiliation. But you can vote in only one party’s primary.

Ways to vote

Requesting an absentee ballot

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

Absentee-by-mail applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, June 7, for the state primary.

You may apply for an emergency absentee ballot if hospitalization, illness, or the death of a parent, child or spouse caused you to miss the absentee application deadline or keeps you from voting at the polls. Go to the elections department website for more information.

Returning your absentee ballot

You are no longer required to provide a witness signature, but you do need to provide the last four digits of your Social Security number and your birth year.

Return your absentee ballot by mail or in person:

  • By mail: Mail your completed ballot to your local board of elections. It will be preaddressed, and prepaid postage will be provided. Your ballot must be postmarked by Election Day and received no later than noon three days after an election — that’s Friday, June 21, for the state primary.
  • 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 details.

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

Vote early at your local registrar’s office or at a nearby satellite polling location from Friday, May 3, through Saturday, June 15, for the state primary.

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 either need an acceptable form of identification — 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 have until noon the Friday after the election to fax, email, mail or deliver an acceptable form of ID to election officials for your vote to count.

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 and older or have a disability, you can participate in curbside voting and cast your ballot from your vehicle.

Find more information at the state elections website.

More information about candidates

Key races:

  • U.S. President
  • U.S. House: 11 seats
  • U.S. Senate: one seat

A candidate list for the state primary will be available closer to the election on the state elections website.

Editor’s note: This guide was originally published on Jan. 3, 2024, and 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.

Also of Interest:

This story is provided by AARP Virginia. Visit the AARP Virginia page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.

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