The 45-day early voting period is now underway in Virginia, which gives people more time to participate in the election. Here are several things to know about voting, registration and the ballot.
The Virginia Department of Elections website is a hub to check and update registration, identify an early voting location, find key election dates, and sign up for the permanent absentee voter list. Material referenced in this guide can be located on its website, unless otherwise noted.
Early Voting Nuts and Bolts
The early voting period is Friday, Sept. 20 through Saturday, Nov. 2. People can vote early in person or by mail.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.
The location for early voting can be different from a person’s usual polling place. Early votes are made at the local registrar’s office, the designated office in a locality that handles official election business.
Some districts have satellite voting locations available, but not necessarily right as early voting starts.
The hours are different from usual voting hours. Check with the general registrar for voting hours. Some locations will be open on weekends.
People can request to receive a ballot by mail, but keep in mind the deadline. The U.S. Postal Service extended the time frame for first class and standard delivery. It can now take up to five days for a ballot sent first class to arrive, or nine days for standard delivery.
Absentee ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received by the registrar’s office by noon on Friday, Nov. 8.
Voter Registration
Questions regarding voting status can be directed to the local registrar’s office.
A Virginia registered voter who has moved within the state since last voting should update their voter record online or with their local registrar. People can register online if they meet certain requirements, such as having a valid state driver’s license or state ID card.
Anyone who moved to the state since their last time voting should complete a Virginia Voter Registration Application.
Residents can register to vote at the Department of Motor Vehicles or contact a candidate’s campaign, a political party or a political outreach organization.
Younger voters can register as long as they will be at least 18 years old before the general election. People do not register by political party in Virginia.
Forms of Identification
Voters need to have one form of identification. Any DMV-issued ID card, including expired IDs, are accepted. U.S. military, tribal and student IDs, along with passports, are also accepted.
Voters can also use documents such as a current utility bill if it has their name and address. The full list of acceptable identification can be found on the state Elections website.
A person without acceptable identification can still vote, but will be given a provisional ballot and is required to submit valid identification by noon on Nov. 8 to have the vote counted.
Important Election-Related Dates
* Sept. 20: Early voting begins
* Oct. 15: Last day for voter registration.
* Oct. 16: Same day voter registration begins, which requires use of a provisional ballot.
* Oct. 25: Last day to apply for an absentee ballot by mail. Applications must be received by the general registrar by 5 p.m. and can be submitted online, through mail or fax, or in person.
* Nov. 2: Last day to vote early.
* Nov. 4: Last day to request, by 2 p.m., an emergency absentee ballot, if voters meet eligibility requirements.
* Nov. 5: Election Day; with polls open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
* Nov. 8: All mailed ballots, and a form of identification for those who use a provisional ballot, must be received by noon.
A full election calendar can be found on the state Elections website.
What’s on the Ballot?
Voters will elect candidates for federal and local races. In Virginia there are six presidential candidates on the ballot.
They appear in this order on the Elections website: Democrat Vice President Kamala Harris; Republican former President Donald Trump; Jill Stein of the Green Party; Libertarian Chase Oliver; Independent Claudia De la Cruz; and Independent Cornel West. Cruz is listed as an Independent but represents the Party for Socialism and Liberation.
Also on the ballot are congressional races. Voters will choose between incumbent Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va. and Republican candidate Hung Cao.
Virginia has 11 U.S. House of Representatives and each congressional district has a contested race. View candidate information on the Virginia Public Access Project website.
Local candidates vary across the state and include mayoral and school board races.
Various local referendums are on the ballot, along with an amendment to the Virginia constitution. Surviving spouses of soldiers who were killed in action currently receive a real property tax exemption. Voters will decide whether to extend the exemption to all surviving spouses of soldiers who have died in the line of duty.
Capital News Service is a program of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Robertson School of Media and Culture. Students in the program provide state government coverage for a variety of media outlets in Virginia.
