Civic Engagement

Is there a deadline to register to vote?

Yes, Virginia's regular deadline to vote or update your information is October 17, 2022. You can also register the same day, however, you must register at your correct polling location and you will cast a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots are reviewed by the electoral board to determine if it will be counted.

We encourage voters to register by the October 17, 2022 deadline. You can do this online using the Citizen Portal if you have a valid Virginia driver's license. If you do not have a Virginia driver’s license, you must fill out a paper application. To fill out a paper application, you will need your Social Security Number (SSN).

For out-of-state students wishing to register in their home state, visit vote411.org to register to vote.

If you are doing same day registration, be sure to check out the VA Department of Elections polling place lookup.

I am from out-of-state, can I register to vote in Virginia?

Yes. However, if you are already registered in a different state, that registration will be cancelled. You cannot be registered to vote in two different states.

I live on campus, can I use my dorm address to register to vote?

Yes. Make sure you use the full and correct address which can be found here. Make sure you check your mail as the registrar’s office will contact you through mail if there are any issues with your application.

I am already registered to vote, but I moved. How do I change my registration address?

To change your registration address, fill out another Virginia Voter Registration Application with the new address. You can do this online at the Citizens Portal with a Virginia driver’s license or with a paper application.

To register to vote in a state other than Virginia, visit vote411.org.

Should I register to vote in my college community or in my hometown?

That is up to you as a voter. Consider the following questions: where will you be for election day? Or if you are requesting a mail-in ballot, where is the best place to receive your ballot?

Also, when you consider the local and state races of Blacksburg and back home, which community are you more involved or concerned about? If you are keeping your registration back home, you can still have your ballot sent to Blacksburg for early voting.

Keep in mind that you can always change your registration address if you change your mind.

Does my registration status change yearly or whether I vote or not?

No. You will remain registered to vote in Virginia unless your mail starts to get returned. If you moved and do not update your voter registration, you will be labeled as an inactive voter. If you do not vote or follow up within two federal elections, your registration will be cancelled.

Check your voter registration status here: www.vote411.org.

Can I register to vote if I am under 18?

You can register to vote if you will be 18 by the next general election. Pre-registration for 16 year-olds will begin in Virginia on October 1.

I am unable to vote in-person on Election Day. Can I vote early in Virginia?

Yes! Early voting starts on September 23, 2022 and ends on November 5, 2022 at 5pm at your local registrar’s office. Find your local vote registration office here. You will need to bring a valid form of ID.

Do I need an ID to vote in Virginia?

Yes. Your Hokie Passport is a valid form of ID in Virginia! For a complete list of acceptable forms of identification, click here.

What is an absentee ballot?

An absentee ballot is a form of voting other than voting in person on Election Day. Typically, this refers to a mail-in ballot.

When should I apply for an absentee mail-in ballot?

Request your absentee ballot as early as possible. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is October 28, 2022 at 5pm. Virginia voters can request an absentee ballot on the Virginia Department of Elections website.

Outside of Virginia: visit www.vote411.org, input your address information, and you’ll get additional information on what you need to do to request a mail-in ballot.

Are there any requirements to register for an absentee ballot in Virginia?

No. Any registered Virginia voter can request an absentee ballot for any reason.

How do I fill out a mail an absentee ballot?

You will receive an envelope in the mail with instructions on how to fill out your absentee ballot. You may fill it out at your leisure. An absentee ballot requires a witness signature and a stamp if you are mailing your ballot.

Return your ballot to your local registrar by 7 p.m. on Election Day (November 8, 2022). If you are returning your ballot by-mail, it must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by your registrar by noon on the third day after the election (November 11, 2022 by 12 p.m.).

You may also return your absentee ballot to a drop-off location. For more information on drop-off locations in your locality, review your absentee ballot instructions.

Where do I vote? Where can I find my polling location?

Virginia voters can check their polling location on the Virginia Board of Elections website.

Voters in other states or territories can go to the U.S. Vote Foundation’s website for more information or directly to their local or state board of elections webpages to get this information.

I am registered at my hometown address, but I am on campus on Election Day. Can I vote at the on-campus precincts?

No. You must vote at the location you are registered at. If you would like to update your registration to vote on campus, you must do that before the elections.

I have a disability. Will my polling place be accessible? What options do I have to cast a ballot?

Any person, regardless of their disability status, has the right to register to vote at any office or agency that provides such a service. A person with cognitive disabilities can be eligible to register and vote if not adjudicated mentally incapacitated by a court of law.

If you require assistance in reading or completing forms, please ask an election official to provide help or bring your own helper.

If you have a physical disability, you may vote on Election Day without leaving your vehicle. This is called curbside voting. If you would like to use curbside voting, remember to bring a helper with you who can enter the polling place to ask an election officer for curbside assistance.

How do I vote if I am in isolation or quarantine?

Individuals under isolation or quarantine during Election Day are strongly encouraged to vote absentee in order to comply with isolation/quarantine and reduce risk to others.

If absentee deadlines have been missed, there is an option to pursue emergency absentee voting:

Eligebility: You may cast an emergency absentee ballot if one of the following situations applies to you:

• You were unable to apply for an absentee ballot by the deadline due to your hospitalization or illness, or the hospitalization, illness, or death of a spouse, child, or parent, or other emergency found to justify receipt of an emergency absentee ballot; or
• You will be unable to vote on Election Day due to your hospitalization or illness, the hospitalization, illness or death of a spouse, child, or parent, or other emergency found to justify receipt of an emergency absentee ballot that occurred after the deadline for applying for an absentee ballot.

Voter Requirements:

• You may request to vote emergency absentee at any time prior to 2 p.m. on the day preceding the election
• If you are approved for an emergency ballot, your general registrar shall provide the absentee ballot to your designated representative for delivery to you
• You shall mark the ballot in the presence of your designated representative
• The ballot shall be counted only if the ballot is received by the general registrar prior to the close of polls.