Election administration in Virginia

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Election Information
Voter registration
Early voting
Absentee/mail-in voting
All-mail voting
Voter ID laws
State poll opening and closing times
Time off work for voting

Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker
The Ballot Bulletin
State of Election Administration Legislation Reports

Select a state from the menu below to learn more about its election administration.

Election administration encompasses a state's voting policies, procedures, and enforcement. These include voter identification requirements, early and absentee/mail-in voting provisions, voter list maintenance methods, and more. Each state's voting policies dictate who can vote and under what conditions.

THE BASICS
  • Virginia permits online voter registration.
  • Virginia permits early voting.
  • Virginia does not require an excuse for absentee/mail-in voting.
  • In Virginia, polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Virginia requires non-photo identification to vote.
  • Virginia holds open primary elections.
  • Virginia has tools for verifying voter registration and checking the status of absentee/mail-in ballots.

  • Below, you will find details on the following election administration topics in Virginia:

    Poll times

    See also: State poll opening and closing times

    In Virginia, all polls open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.[2]


    Voter registration

    Check your voter registration status here.

    To vote in Virginia, one must be a United States citizen, a resident of Virginia, and at least 18 years of age.[3]

    Registration can be completed online, in person at a local voter registration office, or by mail. Voters can also register at the following locations:[3]

    • State or local government offices when applying or re-certifying for Aid to Dependent Children, Food Stamps, WIC, Medicaid, or Rehabilitation Services
    • Government offices in the state that provide state-funded programs primarily engaged in providing services to persons with disabilities
    • Armed forces recruitment offices
    • Public libraries
    • Virginia Department of Elections office
    • Department of Motor Vehicles offices
    • Voter registration drives[4]
    —Virginia Department of Elections

    The deadline to register is 22 days before a primary or general election.[3]

    Automatic registration

    On April 12, 2020, Governor Ralph Northam (D) signed SB219 into law, establishing automatic voter registration for individuals conducting business with the Department of Motor Vehicles.[5]

    Online registration

    See also: Online voter registration

    Virginia has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

    Same-day registration

    Virginia allows same-day voter registration in-person at local registrars' offices, satellite early voting sites during the early voting period, and at the precinct on Election Day.[3]

    Residency requirements

    To register to vote in Virginia, you must be a resident of the state. State law does not specify a length of time for which you must have been a resident to be eligible.

    Verification of citizenship

    See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

    Virginia does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual must attest that they are a U.S. citizen when registering to vote. According to the state's voter registration application, a voter who makes a materially false statement may be "sentenced to up to 10 years in prison, or up to 12 months in jail and/or fined up to $2,500."[6]

    All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment.[7] As of January 2025, six states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, and New Hampshire — had passed laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration. However, only two of those states' laws were in effect, in Arizona and New Hampshire. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allowed noncitizens to vote in some local elections as of November 2024. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

    Verifying your registration

    This page, run by the Virginia Department of elections, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.


    Early and absentee/mail-in voting policy

    Early voting

    See also: Early voting

    Virginia permits early voting. Learn more by visiting this website. Early voting permits citizens to cast ballots in person at a polling place prior to an election. In states that permit no-excuse early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on Election Day. States that allow voters to cast no-excuse absentee/mail-in ballots in person are counted as no-excuse early voting states.

    As of February 2024, 47 states and the District of Columbia permitted no-excuse early voting.

    Absentee/mail-in voting

    See also: Absentee/mail-in voting

    All Virginia voters are eligible to vote absentee/by mail. There are no special requirements to be eligible to vote absentee/by mail. Voters may request an absentee ballot online or complete a paper absentee ballot request form and return it to their local voter registration office by mail, fax, or email. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. at least 11 days before Election Day.[8][9]

    Completed ballots must be returned to the local registrar's office or an official drop off location by 7 p.m. on Election Day. If mailed, completed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within three days of the election in order to be counted.[8]

    On April 12, 2020, Governor Ralph Northam (D) signed HB1 and SB111 into law, establishing no-excuse absentee voting 45 days prior to an election. The legislation was in effect for the November 3, 2020 election.[5]

    On the same day, Northam also signed HB238 and SB455, providing for absentee ballots postmarked on or before the date of an election to be counted if received by noon on the third day after the election.[5]

    Returning absentee/mail-in ballots

    See also: Mail ballot collection and return laws by state

    Voters can return absentee ballots by mail or in person. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by election day and returned to a voter's general registrar's office by noon on the third day following the election. Ballots returned in person must be received by the local general registrar's office by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Voters also have the option to return their ballot to an absentee ballot drop-off location, which vary by jurisdiction.[8]

    In Virginia, only the voter may return and absentee ballot in person. According to an October 2023 opinion from the state attorney general, a third-party return a ballot at a voter's request. Virginia law also allows a designated representative to return an emergency ballot for a voter who is incapacitated or hospitalized. The representative must complete a statement, in which false statement is considered a felony.[10][11][12]

    As of November 2024, 20 states allowed anyone chosen by the voter to return a ballot on the voter's behalf, with certain exceptions, while 16 states allowed anyone with certain relationships to the voter to return the voter's ballot. Four states allowed only the voter to return the voter's ballot, with certain exceptions, and two states required voters to return their ballots by mail. Eight states and D.C. did not specify who may return ballots.

    Signature requirements and cure provisions

    Absentee/mail-in ballots in Virginia include a return envelope printed with an oath that must be signed by the voter. Maryland law includes a cure provision,

    After the voter has marked his absentee ballot, he shall (a) enclose the ballot in the envelope provided for that purpose, (b) seal the envelope, (c) fill in and sign the statement printed on the back of the envelope, (d) enclose the ballot envelope and any required assistance form within the envelope directed to the general registrar, and (e) seal that envelope.[10][4]

    Virginia law includes a cure provision by which absentee/mail-in voters can correct certain errors on their ballots.

    If the general registrar finds during the examination of the ballot envelope that the required voter affirmation was not correctly or completely filled out or that a procedure required by § 24.2-707 was not properly followed, and such error or failure would render the ballot void by law, the general registrar shall enter into the voter's record in the voter registration system that the absentee/mail-in ballot has an issue requiring correction in order for it to be counted. ... Within three days of such finding, the registrar shall notify the voter in writing or by email of the error or failure and shall provide information to the voter on how to correct the issue so his ballot may be counted. The voter shall be entitled to make such necessary corrections before noon on the third day after the election...[13][4]

    As of November 2024, 33 states had laws that included cure provisions, while 17 states did not. One state, Pennsylvania, allowed counties to establish a cure process.

    Was your absentee/mail-in ballot counted?

    Use the Citizen Portal tool provided by the Virginia Department of Elections to check the status of your absentee/mail-in ballot.

    Voter identification requirements

    See also: Voter ID in Virginia
    See also: Voter identification laws by state

    According to the Department of Elections website, "All voters casting a ballot in-person will be asked to show one form of identification. Any voter who does not present acceptable identification may instead sign a statement, subject to felony penalties, that they are the named registered voter who they claim to be. Any voter who does not present acceptable identification or sign this statement must vote a provisional ballot."[14][15]

    The following documents were considered acceptable identification for voting as of May 2023:[14]

    • Virginia driver's license or DMV-issued ID card
    • Valid employee ID, containing a photo, issued by the voter's employer in ordinary course of business
    • U.S. military ID
    • Valid student ID, containing a photo, issued by any public or private school college, or university
    • Valid student ID issued by a public or private school high school, college, or university in Virginia (with or without a photo)
    • Valid U.S. passport or passport card
    • ID card issued by the federal government or a Virginia state or local authority.
    • Voter ID card issued by the department of elections
    • Voter confirmation documents
    • Valid tribal enrollment or ID issued by one of the 11 tribes recognized in Virginia
    • Government nursing home resident ID
    • Any other current government document containing the name and address of the voter
    • Signed ID Confirmation Statement


    Click here to learn more about the background of Virginia's law.

    As of November 2024, 35 states required voters to present identification in order to vote at the polls on Election Day. Of these states, 23 required voters to present identification containing a photograph, and 12 accepted other forms of identification. The remaining 15 states did not require voters to present identification in order to vote at the polls on Election Day.

    Valid forms of identification differ by state. In certain states that require voters to provide identification, there may be exceptions that allow some voters to cast a ballot without providing an ID. To see more about these exceptions, see details by state. Commonly accepted forms of ID include driver's licenses, state-issued identification cards, and military identification cards.

    Provisional ballot rules

    Voters in Virginia are given provisional ballots, or ballots requiring additional steps or information before they can be counted, under the following circumstances:[16][2]

    (1) If the voter does not have the proper identification, the voter has the right to cast a provisional ballot.

    (2) If the election officers are unable to find the voter’s name in the poll book, the voter has the right to cast a provisional ballot.

    (3) If there is any question regarding the voter’s eligibility to vote, the voter has the right to cast a provisional ballot.

    Was your provisional ballot counted?

    After completing the provisional ballot, the individual voting will be given written instructions from the election officials on how to submit a copy of his/her identification or sign and submit an ID Confirmation Statement so that his/her vote can be counted. A voter will have until noon on the Friday following the election to deliver a copy of the identification or sign and submit an ID Confirmation Statement to the local electoral board. Voters may submit a copy of their ID of ID Confirmation Statement via fax, email, in-person submission, or through USPS or commercial delivery service. Please note that the copy of the ID or signed ID Confirmation Statement must be delivered to the electoral board by noon on the Friday following the election, or the provisional ballot cannot be counted. A Friday postmark will not be sufficient if either of these are not delivered to the electoral board by noon on Friday.[16][4]

    A provisional ballot is rejected in the following circumstances:[17]

    • The voter is not eligible to vote in the precinct;
    • Elections officials are unable to determine the voter’s right to vote; or
    • The voter fails to submit an acceptable ID.

    Local election officials


    U.S. Vote Foundation Logo.jpeg

    Do you need information about elections in your area? Are you looking for your local election official? Click here to visit the U.S. Vote Foundation and use their election official lookup tool.


    Primary election type

    See also: Primary elections in Virginia

    A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Virginia utilizes an open primary process in which registered voters do not have to be members of a party to vote in that party's primary.[18][19]

    For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

    Time off work for voting

    On April 12, 2020, Governor Ralph Northam (D) signed HB108 and SB601 into law, establishing Election Day as a state holiday.[5]

    As of September 2024, 28 states required employers to grant employees time off to vote. Within these 28 states, policies varied as to whether that time off must be paid and how much notice must be given.

    Voting rules for people convicted of a felony

    See also: Voting rights for people convicted of a felony

    According to Virginia's constitution, people convicted of a felony lose their civil rights, including their right to vote, regaining them only with a pardon from the governor or another appropriate authority on an individual basis.

    To restore their voting rights, individuals may apply for restoration of their civil rights from the governor in the manner established by the contemporaneous administration. The Department of Corrections must provide information on these procedures–click here for more information. People convicted of a felony may also petition the courts for a restoration of their civil rights. To learn more about this process, click here.[20]

    Voting rights for people convicted of a felony vary from state to state. In the majority of states, people convicted of a felony cannot vote while they are incarcerated but may regain the right to vote upon release from prison or at some point thereafter.[21]


    Voter list maintenance

    All states have rules under which they maintain voter rolls—or, check and remove certain names from their lists of registered voters. Most states are subject to the parameters set by The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).[22] The NVRA requires states to make efforts to remove deceased individuals and individuals who have become ineligible due to a change of address. It prohibits removing registrants from voter lists within 90 days of a federal election due to change of address unless a registrant has requested to be removed, or from removing people from voter lists solely because they have not voted. The NVRA says that states may remove names from their registration lists under certain other circumstances and that their methods for removing names must be uniform and nondiscriminatory.[23]

    When names can be removed from the voter list

    Virginia law authorizes election officials to remove the names of voters from the registered voting list if an individual:[24]

    • dies
    • is adjudicated as incapacitated
    • is convicted of a felony
    • confirms in writing that they have moved outside of their voting jurisdiction
    • remains in inactive status through two general elections.

    Inactive voter list rules

    Virginia law requires election officials to conduct an annual voter registration maintenance program using National Change of Address data and other data resources. If election officials determine that a voter may have moved, state law requires them to send a forwardable notice. If the notice returned as undeliverable or if the voter does not respond within 30 days, they are to be listed in inactive status. If they remain in inactive status through two general elections, their registration is canceled.[24]

    The Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC)

    See also: Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC)

    According to its website, ERIC is a nonprofit corporation that is governed by a board of member-states. These member states submit voter registration and motor vehicle registration information to ERIC. ERIC uses this information, as well as Social Security death records and other sources, to provide member states with reports showing voters who have moved within their state, moved out of their state, died, have duplicate registrations in their state, or are potentially eligible to vote but are not yet registered. ERIC's website describes its funding as follows: "Members fund ERIC. New members pay a one-time membership fee of $25,000, which is reserved for technology upgrades and other unanticipated expenses. Members also pay annual dues. Annual dues cover operating costs and are based, in part, on the citizen voting age population in each state."[25]

    By 2022, 33 states and the District of Columbia had joined ERIC. As of May 2024, 24 states and the District of Columbia were members in the ERIC program.[26]

    As of August 2023, Virginia was not participating in the ERIC program.

    Commissioner of Elections Susan J. Beals withdrew Virginia from ERIC on May 11, 2023, saying, "With the recent departures of seven state members, we have reviewed the effectiveness of our continued participation with ERIC. ... In short, ERIC’s mandate has expanded beyond that of its initial intent – to improve the accuracy of voter rolls."[27] Virginia's resignation became effective on August 9, 2023.

    Center for Election Innovation and Research (CEIR) Executive Director David Becker, who was involved in the development of ERIC, responded, "Right now, Virginia has the most accurate voter list it's ever had in its history. That is going to decline over time. ... They know ERIC is helping their voter lists, but they're succumbing to the disinformation and the pressure that comes with it."[28]

    Post-election auditing

    Virginia state law requires post-election audits. The local board of registrars conducts a post-election risk-limiting audit of ballot scanner machines, which includes a hand count of a random sample of ballots. The procedures for conducting the audit are created by the Virginia Department of Elections. Discrepancies are documented in a report created by the local board of registrars. The audit is conducted "after the election has been certified and the period to initiate a recount has expired." Audits have no effect on election results.[29]

    Post-election audits check that election results tallied by a state's voting system match results from paper records, such as paper ballots filled out by voters or the paper records produced by electronic voting machines. Post-election audits are classified into two categories: audits of election results—which include traditional post-election audits as well as risk-limiting audits—and procedural audits.[30][31]

    Typically, traditional post-election audits are done by recounting a portion of ballots, either electronically or by hand, and comparing the results to those produced by the state's voting system. In contrast, risk-limiting audits use statistical methods to compare a random sample of votes cast to election results instead of reviewing every ballot. The scope of procedural audits varies by state, but they typically include a systematic review of voting equipment, performance of the voting system, vote totals, duties of election officials and workers, ballot chain of custody, and more.

    As of October 2024, 49 states and the District of Columbia had some form of post-election audit by law. Of these, 35 states and the District of Columbia required traditional post-election audits, while six states required risk-limiting post-election audits by law. Eight states used some other form of post-election audit, including procedural post-election audits.[32][33]


    Noteworthy events

    Gov. Ralph Northam signs election policy bills (2021)

    On June 28, 2021, Gov. Ralph Northam (D) signed the following bills into law, making a series of changes to Virginia's election administration procedures:[34]

    • HB1968: This bill authorized local election officials to make in-person early voting available on Sundays.[35]
    • HB1921: This bill established that voters with permanent or temporary disabilities can vote outside of a polling place. The bill also established that any voter can vote outside of a polling place "during a declared state of emergency related to a communicable disease of public health threat."[36]
    • HB1888: This bill established that election officials must begin processing absentee/mail-in ballots before Election Day. Processing includes "verifying the correct completion of the voter affirmation statement," and the bill established that voters must be a afforded an opportunity to correct issues with their voter affirmation statements. The bill also established that drop-off locations must be made available for the return of absentee/mail-in ballots.[37]

    Gov. Ralph Northam signs bill prohibiting discrimination in election administration (2021)

    On April 7, 2021, Gov. Ralph Northam (D) signed SB1395, legislation prohibiting discrimination in voting and election administration on the basis of race. According to a bill summary prepared by Virginia's Legislative Information System, SB1395 made the following modifications to Virginia's election laws:[38]

    • "The bill ... prohibits at-large methods of election from being imposed or applied in a locality in a manner that impairs the ability of a protected class, defined in the bill, to elect candidates of its choice or to influence the outcome of an election, by diluting or abridging the rights of voters who are members of a protected class."
    • "Prior to enacting or administering a covered practice, defined in the bill, the governing body of a locality is required to publish the proposed covered practice and accept public comment for a minimum of 30 days on the proposed covered practice; after the public comment period, a 30-day waiting period is required. During this period, any person who will be subject to or affected by the covered practice may challenge the covered practice as (i) having the purpose or effect of denying or abridging the right to vote on the basis of race or color or membership in a language minority group or (ii) resulting in the retrogression in the position of members of a racial or ethnic group with respect to their effective exercise of the electoral franchise. The bill permits the local governing body to instead submit the proposed covered practice to the Office of the Attorney General for issuance of a certification of no objection and, once such certification is issued, to enact or administer the covered practice."
    • "The bill authorizes the Attorney General to commence civil actions when there is reasonable cause to believe that a violation of an election law has occurred and the rights of any voter or group of voters have been affected by the violation."

    The Virginia State Senate adopted the bill on February 5, 2021. The Virginia House of Delegates followed suit on February 15, 2021. On March 31, 2021, Governor Ralph Northam (D) recommended amendments to the law. On April 7, 2021, the Senate voted 21-19 to accept these amendments, with all Democrats voting in favor and all Republicans in opposition. That same day, the House also agreed to the governor's amendments, with the chamber's 55 Democrats voting in favor and its 45 Republicans in opposition. [38]

    Northam said, "At a time when voting rights are under attack across our country, Virginia is expanding access to the ballot box, not restricting it. With the Voting Rights Act of Virginia, our Commonwealth is creating a model for how states can provide comprehensive voter protections that strengthen democracy and the integrity of our elections. I am proud to support this historic legislation, and I urge Congress to follow Virginia’s example." State Senator Jill Vogel (R), who voted against the bill, said, "Consider if every locality, for every decision they made, was subject to some kind of litigation and somebody trying to impugn the integrity of their decision-making. It is a full employment act for lawyers."[39][40]

    Gov. Ralph Northam signs election policy bills (2020)

    On April 12, 2020, Gov. Ralph Northam (D) signed the following election policy bills into law:[5]

    • HB1/SB111: Established no-excuse early voting 45 days prior to an election.
    • HB19/SB65: Repealed the state's photo identification requirement for voters.
    • HB108/SB601: Established Election Day as a state holiday.
    • HB235/SB219: Established automatic voter registration for individuals conducting business with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
    • HB238/SB455: Provided for absentee ballots postmarked on or before the date of the election to be counted if received by noon on the third day after the election.

    Gov. Terry McAuliffe vetoes HB 2343 and SB 872 (2017)

    On March 15, 2017, Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) vetoed two election policy bills, HB 2343 and SB 872. HB 2343 would have required the Virginia Department of Elections to submit to local registrars lists of voters identified as having been registered to vote in another state. HB 2343 was sponsored by Delegate Robert Bell (R), who said, "Information would be provided to the general registrars from each county or city when it's found that one of their voters is also registered in another state, and it gives them the liberty to do what they want to do with that information." McAuliffe vetoed the bill, saying, "This bill would invite confusion and increase the possibility of violating federal law. Moreover, it would expose eligible and properly registered Virginians to the risk of improper disenfranchisement." SB 872, which was sponsored by Senator Amanda Chase (R), would have required a voter applying for an absentee ballot by mail, fax, telephone, or electronic transmission to submit a copy of a photo ID. The bill would have exempted military and overseas voters, as well as voters with disabilities. SB 872 was identical to HB 1428, which was vetoed by McAuliffe on March 3, 2017.[41][42][43][44]

    Election policy ballot measures

    See also: Elections and campaigns on the ballot and List of Virginia ballot measures


    Recent legislation related to election administration in Virginia

    On the Ballot takes a look at the early returns from state election-related legislative activity in 2025.

    The table below lists bills related to election administration that have been introduced during (or carried over to) the current legislative session in Virginia. The following information is included for each bill:

    • State
    • Bill number
    • Official bill name or caption
    • Most recent action date
    • Legislative status
    • Sponsor party
    • Topics dealt with by the bill

    Bills are organized by most recent action. The table displays up to 100 results. To view more bills, use the arrows in the upper-right corner. Clicking on a bill will open its page on Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker, which includes bill details and a summary.

    Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker

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    State election laws are changing. Keeping track of the latest developments in all 50 states can seem like an impossible job.

    Here's the solution: Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker.

    Ballotpedia's Election Administration Tracker sets the industry standard for ease of use, flexibility, and raw power. But that's just the beginning of what it can do:

    • Ballotpedia's election experts provide daily updates on bills and other relevant political developments
    • We translate complex bill text into easy-to-understand summaries written in everyday language
    • And because it's from Ballotpedia, our Tracker is guaranteed to be neutral, unbiased, and nonpartisan

    State of Election Administration Legislation Reports

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    Ballotpedia publishes regular analysis of election administration legislation, including three full reports per year, providing ongoing coverage of legislative activity affecting election policy in each state. These reports deliver insights into partisan priorities, dive deep into notable trends, and highlight activity in key states.

    Below are links to the most recent editions. Click here to see all past reports, and be on the lookout for more throughout the year!


    The Ballot Bulletin

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    The Ballot Bulletin is a weekly email that delivers the latest updates on election policy. The Ballot Bulletin tracks developments in election policy around the country, including legislative activity, big-picture trends, and recent news. Each email contains in-depth data from our Election Administration Legislation Tracker. You'll also be able to track relevant legislation, with links to and summaries of the bills themselves.

    Click here to view recent issues and subscribe.


    Ballot access

    See also: Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Virginia

    In order to get on the ballot in Virginia, a candidate for state or federal office must meet a variety of state-specific filing requirements and deadlines. These regulations, known as ballot access laws, determine whether a candidate or party will appear on an election ballot. These laws are set at the state level. A candidate must prepare to meet ballot access requirements well in advance of primaries, caucuses, and the general election.

    There are three basic methods by which an individual may become a candidate for office in a state.

    1. An individual can seek the nomination of a state-recognized political party.
    2. An individual can run as an independent. Independent candidates often must petition in order to have their names printed on the general election ballot.
    3. An individual can run as a write-in candidate.

    This article outlines the steps that prospective candidates for state-level and congressional office must take in order to run for office in Virginia. For information about filing requirements for presidential candidates, click here. Information about filing requirements for local-level offices is not available in this article (contact state election agencies for information about local candidate filing processes).

    Redistricting

    See also: Redistricting in Virginia

    Redistricting is the process by which new congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn. Each of Virginia's 11 United States Representatives and 140 state legislators are elected from political divisions called districts. United States Senators are not elected by districts, but by the states at large. District lines are redrawn every 10 years following completion of the United States census. The federal government stipulates that districts must have nearly equal populations and must not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity.[45][46][47][48]

    Virginia was apportioned 11 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2020 census, the same number it received after the 2010 census. Click here for more information about redistricting in Virginia after the 2020 census.

    HIGHLIGHTS
  • Following the 2020 United States Census, Virginia was apportioned 11 congressional districts, which was unchanged from the number it had after the 2010 census.
  • Virginia's House of Delegates is made up of 100 districts; Virginia's State Senate is made up of 40 districts.
  • In Virginia, congressional and state legislative district boundaries are set by a 16-member commission comprising state legislators and non-legislator citizens. The General Assembly must vote to approve the maps without amending them. If the General Assembly rejects the first set of draft maps, the commission must submit another. If the General Assembly rejects this second set of draft maps, the Virginia Supreme Court is tasked with enacting new maps.
  • State process

    See also: State-by-state redistricting procedures

    On November 3, 2020, Virginia voters approved a constitutional amendment establishing a commission-driven congressional and state legislative redistricting process. The 16-member commission comprises eight legislators and eight non-legislator members. Leaders of the legislature's two largest political parties select legislators to serve on the commission. The commission's eight citizen members are recommended by legislative leaders and selected by a committee of five retired circuit court judges. The commissioners themselves select one of the eight citizens to serve as chairperson.[49]

    District maps are subject to the following consensus requirements:[49]

    • Congressional maps: Approval by 12 commissioners, including six legislators and six non-legislators.
    • Virginia State Senate: Approval by 12 commissioners, including six legislators (with three state senators) and six non-legislators.
    • Virginia House of Delegates: Approval by 12 commissioners, including six legislators (with three state delegates) and six non-legislators.

    The commission submits its maps to the General Assembly, which can vote to approve the maps or reject them. The General Assembly cannot amend the maps. If the General Assembly rejects a map, the commission must draft a second map. If the General Assembly rejects that map, the Virginia Supreme Court is tasked with enacting a new map.[49][50]


    Election administration agencies

    Election agencies

    Seal of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission
    See also: State election agencies

    Individuals seeking additional information about voting provisions in Virginia can contact the following local, state, and federal agencies.

    Virginia Local Voter Registration Offices

    Click here for a list

    Virginia Department of Elections

    Washington Building
    1100 Bank Street, First Floor
    Richmond, Virginia 23219
    Phone: 804-864-8901
    Toll free: 800-552-9745
    Fax: 804-371-0194
    Email: info@elections.virginia.gov
    Website: https://www.elections.virginia.gov

    U.S. Election Assistance Commission

    633 3rd Street NW, Suite 200
    Washington, DC 20001
    Phone: 301-563-3919
    Toll free: 1-866-747-1471
    Email: clearinghouse@eac.gov
    Website: https://www.eac.gov


    Ballotpedia's election coverage

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    See also

    Elections in Virginia


    External links

    Footnotes

    1. We use the term "absentee/mail-in voting" to describe systems in which requests or applications are required. We use the term "all-mail voting" to denote systems where the ballots themselves are sent automatically to all voters. We use the hyphenate term for absentee voting because some states use “mail voting” (or a similar alternative) to describe what has traditionally been called "absentee voting."
    2. 2.0 2.1 Virginia Department of Elections, "Election and Voter FAQ," accessed May 3, 2023
    3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Virginia Department of Elections, "How to Register," accessed May 3, 2023 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "vareg" defined multiple times with different content
    4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
    5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Office of the Governor of Virginia, "Governor Northam Signs Sweeping New Laws to Expand Access to Voting," April 12, 2020
    6. Virginia Department of Elections, "Virginia Voter Registration Application," accessed November 1, 2024
    7. Under federal law, the national mail voter registration application (a version of which is in use in all states with voter registration systems) requires applicants to indicate that they are U.S. citizens in order to complete an application to vote in state or federal elections, but does not require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the application "may require only the minimum amount of information necessary to prevent duplicate voter registrations and permit State officials both to determine the eligibility of the applicant to vote and to administer the voting process."
    8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 Virginia Department of Elections, "Absentee and Early Voting," accessed October 4, 2024
    9. Virginia Department of Elections, "Virginia Absentee Ballot Application Form,"accessed October 7, 2024
    10. 10.0 10.1 LIS Virginia Law, “Code of Virginia, Section 24.2-707,” accessed October 7, 2024
    11. Commonwealth of Virginia, Office of the Attorney General, “Opinion of Attorney General Jason Miyares,” October 26, 2023
    12. LIS Virginia Law, “Code of Virginia, Section 24.2-705,” accessed October 7, 2024
    13. LIS Virginia Law, “Code of Virginia, Section 24.2-707,” accessed May 3, 2023
    14. 14.0 14.1 Voter identification, "Voting on Election Day," accessed May 3, 2023
    15. Virginia Department of Elections, "Voting on Election Day," accessed May 3, 2023
    16. 16.0 16.1 Virginia Department of Elections, "In-Person Voting," accessed May 3, 2023
    17. National Conference of State Legislatures, "Provisional Ballots," accessed November 4, 2022
    18. NCSL,"State Primary Election Types," accessed October 7, 2024
    19. Virginia Department of Elections,"Casting a Ballot," accessed October 7, 2024
    20. Secretary of the Commonwealth, "Restoration of Rights," accessed May 3, 2023
    21. National Conference of State Legislatures, "Felon Voting Rights," April 6, 2023
    22. As of May 2024, the Justice Department notes, "Six States (Idaho, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming) are exempt from the NVRA because, on and after August 1, 1994, they either had no voter-registration requirements or had election-day voter registration at polling places with respect to elections for federal office."
    23. The United States Department of Justice, "The National Voter Registration Act of 1993," accessed May 29, 2024
    24. 24.0 24.1 Code of Virginia, "(24.2-427, 24.2-428.1, and 24.2.428.2," accessed May 3, 2023
    25. ERIC, "FAQ," accessed May 29, 2024
    26. ERIC, "Who We Are," accessed May 29, 2024
    27. Virginia Commissioner of Elections Susan J. Beals, "Virginia ERIC departure letter," May 11, 2023
    28. VPM.org, "Virginia 'in talks with other states' for alternative to bipartisan voter collab ERIC ," May 15, 2023
    29. National Conference of State Legislatures, "Post-Election Audits," accessed October 7, 2024
    30. National Conference of State Legislatures, "Post-Election Audits," accessed July 23, 2024
    31. Election Assistance Commission, "Election Audits Across the United States," accessed August 22, 2024
    32. Ballotpedia research conducted in October 2024, researching and analyzing various state websites and codes.
    33. National Conference of State Legislatures, "Post-Election Audits," accessed October 4, 2024
    34. NBC 29, "Northam signs legislation to increase voter access," June 28, 2021
    35. Virginia's Legislative Information System, "HB1968," accessed July 12, 2021
    36. Virginia's Legislative Information System, "HB1921," accessed July 12, 2021
    37. Virginia's Legislative Information System, "HB1888," accessed July 12, 2021
    38. 38.0 38.1 Virginia's Legislative Information System, "SB 1395 Discrimination; prohibited in voting and elections administration, etc.," accessed April 9, 2021
    39. Richmond Times-Dispatch, "Officials discuss impact of new Voting Rights Act of Virginia," April 7, 2021
    40. Virginia Mercury, "Virginia is set to become the first southern state with its own voting rights act. Here’s what it does." March 12, 2021
    41. WTKR.com, "McAuliffe vetoes bills he says could restrict voting rights," March 16, 2017
    42. Virginia's Legislative Information System, "HB 2343 Voter registration list maintenance; voters identified as having duplicate registrations," accessed March 17, 2017
    43. Virginia's Legislative Information System, "SB 872 Absentee voting; applications and ballots; photo identification required," accessed March 17, 2017
    44. Virginia's Legislative Information System, "HB 1428 Absentee voting; photo identification required with application," accessed March 17, 2017
    45. All About Redistricting, "Why does it matter?" accessed April 8, 2015
    46. Indy Week, "Cracked, stacked and packed: Initial redistricting maps met with skepticism and dismay," June 29, 2011
    47. The Atlantic, "How the Voting Rights Act Hurts Democrats and Minorities," June 17, 2013
    48. Redrawing the Lines, "The Role of Section 2 - Majority Minority Districts," accessed April 6, 2015
    49. 49.0 49.1 49.2 Virginia's Legislative Information System, "HJ 615 Constitutional amendment; Virginia Redistricting Commission (first reference)," accessed November 18, 2020
    50. All About Redistricting, "Virginia," accessed May 8, 2015