How to Vote in Virginia's 2024 Elections
Important dates and election information
Key dates
- 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 to register online by Tuesday, May 28, for the state primary. You’ll need a Virginia driver’s license or state identification card number, your Social Security number and your date of birth.
- By mail: Download and complete a registration form, then mail it to your local registrar’s office. Or call your registrar’s office to request a form. You can also pick up a registration form at public libraries, Department of Motor Vehicles sites, armed forces recruitment offices or some other locations. Your completed form must be postmarked by Tuesday, May 28, for the state primary.
- In person: Fill out and submit a registration form at your registrar's office. Regular registration ends Tuesday, May 28, but you can participate in same-day registration after the deadline.
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.
- Online: Use the elections department’s citizen portal, or email or fax a completed application to your registrar’s office.
- By mail: Download and complete an application, then mail it to your registrar’s office. You can also call your registrar’s office to request a form.
- In person: Complete and return an application to your registrar’s office.
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.