Voting Initiative 2020 -Virginia

VA Voter Registration

Vote on Election Day

Voters registered in Virginia can look up where to vote on Virginia’s site.

Vote early

Virginia voters can also vote before Election Day. The early voting period runs from Friday, September 18, 2020 to Saturday, October 31, 2020, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live.

What to bring

  • You will need to show ID to vote in Virginia. Acceptable forms of valid ID include: voter registration confirmation documents; a valid Virginia driver’s license (expired or unexpired), a valid United States passport, or any other identification issued by the the state of Virginia, one of its political subdivisions, or the United States; any valid student identification card issued by any institution of higher education located in any state or territory of the United States; any valid employee identification card containing a photograph of the voter and issued by an employer of the voter in the ordinary course of the employer’s business; tribal enrollment or other tribal photo ID; Virginia Voter Photo ID card; or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter. 
  • Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you are required to sign a statement that you are the registered voter you claim to be in order to cast a ballot. A voter who does not show one of the required forms of identification and does not complete or sign the statement shall be offered a provisional ballot. After completing the provisional ballot, you will be given written instructions from the election officials on how to submit a copy of your ID so that your vote can be counted. You will have until noon on the Friday following the election to deliver a copy of the ID to the local electoral board.

Who can vote

To register in Virginia you must: 

  • be a citizen of the United States 
  • be a resident of Virginia and of the precinct in which you want to vote 
  • be 18 years old (any person who is 17 years old and will be 18 years of age at the next general election shall be permitted to register in advance and also vote in any intervening primary or special election)
  • not have been convicted of a felony, or have had your civil rights restored
  • not currently be declared mentally incompetent by a court of law
  • *find more information on voting rights restoration here

Vote by mail

  1. Request your mail-in ballot with a mail ballot application. If you registered to vote by mailing in your voter registration application, and it is your first time voting in your locality, check with your local election official to confirm your eligibility to vote absentee by mail.
  2. Fill out the application completely.
  3. Submit the request to your local election office. You should request your ballot as far in advance of the election as possible. The deadline to request a ballot by mail is Friday, October 23, 2020. The local election official must receive your request by 5:00 p.m.
  4. When your ballot arrives, read it carefully and follow the instructions to complete it and return it.