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Registrar's Office

Show All Answers

1. Who may register to vote in Virginia?

Any United States citizen whose home is in Virginia and who will be at least 18 years old by the next general election, is not a convicted felon or who is not adjudicated mentally incompetent, may register to vote.

2. When may I register?

Year-round, except during the 29 days before a general or primary election or 14 days before a special election.

3. Where do I register?

Register online

Or in person at the address below:

19 East Clay Street
P.O. Box 203
Salem, VA 24153

4. How much does it cost?

Voter registration is free.

5. Do I need special information to register?

You must furnish your full legal name, photo ID, home address, date of birth, social security number, and any previous place of registration. You must give this information under oath.

6. Do I have to register by party affiliation?

No. The Commonwealth of Virginia does not have registration by party.

7. Where will I vote?

The registrar will send you a voter registration card with the name and location of your polling place. Find out where to vote by your address

8. When do elections take place?

Election Schedule

9. Do I have to state my political party preference?

No, Virginia does not have voter registration by party.

10. Do I have to register for this election?

No, your registration remains valid, if you do not move from your original address.

11. What should I do after I move to another Virginia city or county after I register?

Update Online

Send a notification of a change of address to your voter registration office (either in the old or new locality). Give your name, phone number, social security number, and your old and new address. You may use the change of address form on the back of your voter card. Your signature is required to make a change to voter records. Your registration will be transferred from your previous locality to the new one.

12. What should I do if I changed my name or local address since the last election?

Update Online

Send notification of the change, as above, to your voter registration office. Your signature is required.

13. Can I transfer my registration from another state?

Voter registration cannot be transferred between states. You must complete a Virginia Voter Registration Application to be eligible to vote in Virginia.

14. When are the polls open?

Polling places open at 6 am and close at 7 pm. If you are in line to vote by 7 pm you will be allowed to cast your vote.

15. What is a Primary?

A primary is an election in which a candidate is chosen to represent a political party for a particular office in an election. The Democratic and Republican parties may nominate their candidates by either a primary election or by convention or mass meeting.

16. Can anyone vote in a primary election?

If you are a registered voter, you may vote in any primary. However, if a primary is held in for both parties in the same election district, you must choose in which party primary you wish to vote and may only vote in one.

17. Can I vote from the curbside?

Any voter age 65 or older or physically disabled may vote 45 days prior to the election in the Registrar's Office.

They may also vote from the curbside. They may request a paper ballot which will be brought to them by an officer of election. They mark the ballot in the presence of the officer of election, who will then return it to the polling place and deposit it in the voting machine.

18. What if I move within the 29 days before an election, and the books have closed?

You are eligible to return to your precinct and vote. At that time you must change your address to be eligible for future elections. If you move out of the state, you will not be allowed to vote except in Federal elections for President and Vice President only.

19. Who may vote absentee?

Register Online

Any registered voter who expects to be out of the county or city on election day, is confined (other than a convicted felon) to a penal institution, or cannot go to the polls because of a physical illness or physical disability. Or if you cannot go to the polls because you are the person responsible for the care of a sick or disabled family member who is unable to leave home.

20. How do I apply for an absentee ballot?

Register Online

Request, by phone or in person, an application for absentee ballot from any registrar's office, or download it here. The application for absentee ballot can also be faxed or mailed to the registrar's office.

21. When can I apply for an absentee ballot?

As early as 10 months before an election. If applying by mail, your application must be received by the Thursday before the election. You can vote an in-person absentee ballot as soon as the ballots are ready and up until 5 pm on the Saturday before the election.