Virginia 1st Voting Hub
Let’s get ready to vote!
Getting Ready to Vote
If we want our elected officials to be representative of their constituents, it is imperative that everyone eligible to vote does so. There are three ways to cast your ballot available to you in this election:
Before heading to the polls (literally or figuratively), make sure to check your voter registration!
Unfortunately, the voter registration period in Virginia has ended (originally set for 5pm on Tuesday, October 13th - extended to 11:59pm on Thursday, October 15th). So if you are not currently registered to vote in Virginia, you will not be eligible to vote in the upcoming 2020 election.
But you should still get registered to ensure you are able to vote in future elections - this page has a full set of instructions for this process, including eligibility requirements. Paper forms are still an option, but you can register to vote easily through the online portal.
COVID-19 Disclaimer
The Virginia Department of Elections, in conjunction with local registrar offices, are working tirelessly to ensure that you can cast your vote safely during the coronavirus pandemic. The Virginia General Assembly passed new laws this year to allow no-excuse absentee voting, or to indicate that you need to vote absentee due to COVID-related issues. Below you will find information about your voting options for the 2020 general election, but always do your due diligence if you decide to vote in-person (whether early or on Election Day). This includes wearing a mask, using hand sanitizer, and following the guidelines required at your polling location (social distancing, temperature checks, etc). Your safety, and the safety of those around you, is of utmost importance.
Early In-Person Voting: September 18 - October 31
UPDATED NOVEMBER 1, 2020: Early voting in Virginia has now ended. Make a plan to vote on Election Day (Tuesday, November 3rd) if you have not already!
Hundreds of thousands of Virginians have already participated in the 2020 election by voting early in-person. It is a safe and easy way to cast your vote, with generally shorter lines than on Election Day.
You do not have to have a reason or fill out an application to vote early in Virginia. All you do is visit your local registrar’s office or a satellite voting location in your county/city, and provide your name, address, and an acceptable form of ID. Learn more about how to make your vote count if you don’t have acceptable identification with you.
Voting locations do offer accessibility accommodations (equipment, curbside voting, etc) upon request.
Absentee (Mail-In) Voting
Especially during the coronavirus pandemic, you may prefer to vote by mail instead of going to the polling place in-person. Aside from having to pass up on the “I Voted” sticker, this method is safe and easy.
The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot via mail, fax, or online submission has passed - it was 5pm on Friday, October 23rd. That deadline is for receipt of the application, so if you apply by mail, make sure to send your completed form in with plenty of time to get to your local voter registration office by then. The deadline if applying in-person for an absentee ballot is Saturday, October 31st.
You can find information on how to apply for absentee voting on this website, which includes the online form as a printable application in multiple languages.
Absentee voting began on September 18th, so if you are applying now to vote this way, your application should be processed and an absentee ballot delivered right away. We encourage you to return your completed absentee ballot as soon as possible. Rather than mailing back your ballot, many if not all localities offer ballot drop-boxes. These are physical locations, usually outside of polling locations, where you can return your ballot. This will remove any chance that the ballot will take too long in the mail and thus arrive late. We want your vote to be counted!
In-Person on Election Day
Make a Plan - Then Help Your Friends Make a Plan
YOU can still make a big difference outside of voting! Lots of us have friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, etc. who don’t make it to the polls regularly - let’s change that in 2020.
Team Rashid is reaching out to voters to provide this critical information, but YOU are the best advocate when it comes to convincing your networks to vote.
Make sure the people in your circles know the deadlines, they know their options for how to vote, they are registered, and they have a plan! You can pester them, lovingly of course:
- Do you need an envelope or postage for your mail-in ballot?
- Does your car have enough gas to get you to the polls?
- Do you know what you’ll be voting on with your ballot?
It may seem like a lot, but your friends trust you and they listen to you. With a little relational organizing (actively touching base with your communities about voting), you can help ensure that more votes are cast and more voices are heard.
To help with this, we have created a “voting toolkit” with some graphics that can be shared via social media, email, text, however you’d like. These are meant to help start the conversation and provide the most important details.
Additional Resources
If you’re voting in-person (early or on November 3rd), make sure you know the correct polling location for your precinct.
Unsure if you are a voter in Virginia’s First District? Click here for a map to see if you can vote for Qasim Rashid for Congress.
Want to track your ballot’s status? Check here!
Military voter? Check here!
Questions about accessibility? Check here!
Unsure what’s on your ballot? Check here!