How do I register to vote or check my registration?

Local Voter Registrar / Electoral Board (county and independent city level - each of Virginia's 95 counties and 38 independent cities) / Virginia Department of Elections (state level)

Step by Step

How to do it

Confirm eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen, Virginia resident, at least 18 years old on or before Election Day, NOT currently under a felony conviction requiring rights restoration (see State Notes - this changed significantly in 2026), and not declared mentally incapacitated with respect to voting
Choose your registration method:
ONLINE: vote.virginia.gov - Virginia's online voter registration portal; requires Virginia driver's license/DMV ID number; registration deadline: 21 days before the election
BY MAIL: Download VA voter registration form from elections.virginia.gov; complete, sign; must be RECEIVED by your local registrar by 15 days before the election (postmarked 22 days before election)
IN PERSON: Local Voter Registrar's office (county or city); Virginia DMV (motor voter); many public assistance agencies; deadline: 21 days before the election; Virginia also allows Election Day registration (see below)
ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION (PROVISIONAL): Virginia voters may register through Election Day; register at the polling place; cast a provisional ballot; provisional ballot reviewed and counted separately after election
Submit registration by 21 days before Election Day for advance registration
Receive voter registration card

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Virginia driver's license or DMV ID number (for online); OR last 4 digits of SSN; OR signature with certification of no ID
Current Virginia address

Fee

Free ADVANCE REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 21 days before Election Day (received in-person or online); mail: received by 15 days before election (postmarked 22 days) ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION: YES - Virginia allows same-day registration at polling place; vote by provisional ballot; provisional ballot counted after election if registration confirmed valid CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION: vote.virginia.gov (Virginia Voter Registration Portal) EARLY VOTING: Virginia offers no-excuse in-person early voting beginning 45 days before Election Day through the Saturday before the election; 14 days minimum before the election (minimum set by state); hours and locations vary by locality; photo ID required NO-EXCUSE ABSENTEE MAIL BALLOT: Any registered Virginia voter may request an absentee ballot; apply online at vote.virginia.gov; application must be received 11 days before election by 5 PM; voted ballot must be received by the electoral board by 7 PM on Election Day (or postmarked by Election Day and received by noon 3 days after election) ONLINE OPTION: Yes - vote.virginia.gov (registration, absentee application, status check) WHERE TO GO: vote.virginia.gov; local Registrar/Electoral Board; Virginia DMV; state agencies; polling place (Election Day registration)

Online Option

Yes - vote.virginia.gov (registration, absentee application, status check)

Where to Go

vote.virginia.gov; local Registrar/Electoral Board; Virginia DMV; state agencies; polling place (Election Day registration)

Virginia Notes

Important state-specific details

ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION: Virginia allows same-day registration; voters cast provisional ballots; major voter access expansion.
NO-EXCUSE EARLY VOTING: Starts 45 days before election; very popular and extensive in Virginia.
NO-EXCUSE ABSENTEE MAIL BALLOT: Any registered voter.
FELONY VOTING RIGHTS (IMPORTANT - ACTIVELY CHANGING IN 2026):
Current law (as of July 2026): Virginia requires restoration of voting rights after felony conviction; must be free from incarceration first; restoration process through the Governor/Secretary of the Commonwealth at restore.virginia.gov; this is a formal application process
HOWEVER: A 2026 federal court order changed the scope of felonies that disqualify voting - per the order, only felonies recognized at common law as of 1870 lose voting rights; many modern felonies may NOT disqualify voting; verify current eligibility at elections.virginia.gov/felony-convictions
ALSO: A 2026 constitutional amendment (HJ2/SJ2) on the November 2026 ballot would automatically restore voting rights upon release from prison; if passed, would take effect in 2027
As of July 2026: check elections.virginia.gov or restore.virginia.gov for current status; the law is actively evolving
PHOTO ID REQUIRED for in-person voting including early voting: Virginia driver's license, Virginia DMV photo ID card, U.S. passport, military ID, tribal ID, or other government photo ID; no expired IDs; voters without ID may sign a Voter Confirmation form (provisional process)
Polls open 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM on Election Day.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Virginia Department of Elections - elections.virginia.gov | vote.virginia.gov | (800) 552-9745; Local Registrar/Electoral Board (varies by jurisdiction); Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth - restore.virginia.gov (felony voting rights)